Short Term Consultant, Data Analyst

Terms of Reference

Short Term Consultant, Data Analyst

Outcomes Department, World Bank Group

Description

The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Office of the Senior Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships

The Senior Managing Director’s (SMD) key mandate includes overseeing the Bank’s knowledge and partnership programs and ensuring that the Bank’s analytical work continues to address the pressing development challenges facing client countries and global partners. The office is responsible for the Evolution Roadmap, G20 and G7 engagements, the implementation of the Knowledge Compact, as well as the replenishment of IDA, the Bank’s concessional lending arm for the poorest countries. It provides strategic guidance on the WB’s global knowledge and IDA corporate commitments; oversees key partnerships with shareholders, development agencies, other multilateral development banks (MDBs) and academia; helps shape and drive the Bank’s strategic directions; and through the Trust Fund portfolio in Global Practices, mobilizes support and financial resources across the international community.

Building on the progress of past efforts, the WBG Knowledge Compact for Action aims to empower clients, public and private, by systematically making the latest knowledge available to respond more effectively to increasingly complex development challenges. This includes knowledge embedded in policy advice, expertise and know-how, including from financing operations, as well as the latest research, data and tools to formulate robust development policies and programs. Compact will deliver this knowledge to clients under the four pillars of enhanced products, partnerships, learning and systems. To advance the knowledge agenda, the practice groups will be organized into five vertical vice presidencies aligned with the new mission (People, Prosperity, Planet, Infrastructure and Digital). In addition, three new departments have been created to enhance coordination, integration, and outcome orientation across the WBG. The three departments report to the Office of the SMD, and include roles such as:

• Outcomes team generates metrics, aggregate results, and monitor in real-time how and where the Bank is driving development outcomes and identify cross-cutting thematic areas that require additional efforts and resources.
• Innovation team drives forward-thinking innovative approaches and engages in new frontiers to address the most complex development challenges.
• Knowledge and Learning team fosters systematic and consistent curation and use of knowledge and development know-how to develop client and staff capacity and deliver tailored, world class development solutions to clients.

Position Context:

This assignment is with the Department for Outcomes, whose mandate includes providing strategic vision and direction for an effective outcome orientation across the WBG, including thought leadership on approaches to development impact measurement, proposing revisions and updates to outcome indicators and methodologies as needed, coordinating the development of outcome targets and their implications in our knowledge, operations, and financing. It will also oversee the development and implementation of metrics and systems to evaluate outcomes on cross-cutting themes such as climate, jobs, private sector capital mobilization, women and youth and the monitoring of these areas in the WBG Scorecard, in collaboration with MDO, IFC and MIGA. In addition, the Department for Outcomes convenes both external and internal parties and other MDBs regarding outcome metrics, building external and internal capacity, and acting as the secretariat for external advisory groups like the Job Council. Furthermore, the Department for Outcomes is responsible for generating metrics, aggregating results, and monitoring in real-time how and where we are driving development outcomes, and where we need to place greater focus and additional resources.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Department for Outcomes is looking for a talented development young professional with strong data analytics and quantitative research skills, combined with knowledge on development operations and a passion for evidence-based data and analytical activities. Prior experience in management consulting or portfolio management work with exposure to top executive positions is preferred. S/he will report to the Program Manager of the Department for Outcomes. Primary areas of responsibility will be determined based on the evolving needs of the department and the specific skill set of the selected candidate, but s/he will play a key role in the team’s main deliverables and is expected to contribute across all areas of work, as needed. References to key tasks are detailed below.

• Support the development and monitoring of outcome targets to inform evidence-based decisions on strategies and portfolios, including reviews of strategy and project documents, literature, and synthesis of key findings.
• Contribute to the rollout of action plans in coordination with Regional teams and Global Practices (GPs).
• Provide in-depth data analysis and develop visualizations for presentations and reporting on targets.
• Create innovative and compelling ways to present data to enhance stakeholder engagement.
• Curate outcome data and apply forecasting techniques, to estimate future portfolio-level results.
• Assist with data cleaning, collection, and data exploratory analysis (EDA) of WBG Scorecard result indicators. When needed, conduct manual reviews of Results Frameworks from PADs, ISRs, and ICRs for quality assurance. Also support drafting of talking points and briefing notes based on analytical findings.
• Support the team with data collection, calculations, and quality assurance for the new WBG Scorecard indicators for the 2025 results cycle, as well as for internal quarterly updated on targets progress.
• Analyze outcome metrics from WBG operations, aggregate results, and monitor in real time where and how the institution is delivering development outcomes. The ability to extract insights from data is essential.

Selection criteria

Technical Skills:

• Strong quantitative and data visualization skills; high proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Highly analytical and organized, with exceptional detail orientation and strong consulting-style presentation skills suitable for high-level audiences. The ability to synthesize complex data into compelling narratives is essential.

Education:

• Master’s degree in business management, international development, political science, public administration, public policy, economics, information systems/computer science, or a related field.

Experience:

• Two to five years of relevant professional experience, in either public or private sector.
• Experience in portfolio management and/or in management consulting firms is preferred.

Client-Oriented & Project Management Skills:

• Demonstrated capacity to thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments with shifting priorities.
• Outside-in approach with the ability to understand and anticipate client needs.
• Ability to navigate through complexity, multitask, and work with short deadlines.

Interpersonal & communication skills:

• Strategic and creative mindset, with a strong interest in improving development outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural teams.

The shortlisted candidates will be invited to proceed to the next stage of this recruitment process consisting of an exam. The exam evaluates the candidate's analytical and visualization skills, with a focus on Excel and PowerPoint. The pre-screening is conducted via an online test.

Duration, Location, and Reporting

This assignment will be for 35 days beginning May 12, 2025 to June 30, with possibility of extension in the next fiscal year depending on performance. The STC will be based in Washington, D.C. and will report to Diego Carrillo, Program Manager (SMDOD).

Interested applicants are invited to send a CV and statement of interest to Devika Saini, Outcomes Specialist (SMDOD) at dsaini@worldbank.org by April 27, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the pre-screening assessment stage.