Job: Data Scientist

Location: Washington, DC
Closing Date: Wednesday, 04 December 2013

Background / General description:

Innovation and partnership bond the five institutions of the World Bank Group (WBG): the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It uses financial resources and extensive experience to help our client countries to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, and improve quality of life. To ensure that countries can access the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edge knowledge, the World Bank Group is constantly seeking to improve the way it works. Key priorities include delivering measurable results, promoting openness and transparency in development, and improving access to development information and data.

This a Data Scientist position within the Development Data Group (DECDG) of the Development Economics Vice-Presidency. DECDG is the World Bank's focal point for statistics, Open Data, and country-level statistical capacity building. It provides high quality data, products, analytical tools, and services to users inside and outside the Bank; it supports the efforts of developing countries to improve their data and statistical capacity; it works to improve the quality and availability of data and statistics in key areas; it manages the global International Comparison Program; and it is responsible for an extensive library of survey microdata. The work of the department calls for extensive partnership with other international organizations, with data producers and users in developing countries, with World Bank regional and country teams, and with the new thematic global practices.

Within DECDG, the Global Monitoring and World Development Indicators cluster (GMI) is responsible for the bulk of the department's data collection, database management, and statistical publications, including the World Development Indicators, Global Development Finance, and online databases. The successful applicant will provide support to the GMI cluster to sustain and expand the ongoing Open Data Initiative, a key corporate priority of the Bank, and improve the coverage, quality and use of curated datasets. The post-holder will work closely with teams that produce statistical databases and publications, manage and curate datasets relating to sustainable development and economic management, and other groups in DECDG. The work will also require close collaboration with other key partners, such as staff in Development Economics, staff working in sustainable development, Operational Policy and Country Services, External and Corporate Relations, and the Information Management and Technology Network.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:

1. Support the development of all products associated with the World Development Indicators, including the published volume, data website, on-line applications, and applications for mobile.
2. Support the continuing operation and improvement of the Open Data website, API, blog, data catalog, data query tools, help desk and user forum, and other related resources in partnership with the Client Services and Systems teams, ECR, and IMT.
3. Promote the use of climate change and environment data (and other topical data sets as required) through the data website and other Open Data tools (including social media and online media campaigns); and ensure online content in Open Data tools is aligned with network, topic, and corporate priorities. Research, evaluate, and incorporate relevant climate change and environment data in the Open Data catalog and the World Development Indicators database.
4. Develop new ways for users to consume and experience the Bank's datasets: prepare innovative data visualizations, and write blog posts and other on-line content.
5. Support interaction with the user community around World Bank open data and World Development Indicators, through social media and other channels. Encourage greater involvement of key communities such as development researchers and academics, policy-makers in client countries, and software developers.
6. Promote the Open Data agenda with internal and external groups; help internal and external groups develop Open Data products and initiatives; and especially ensure that as many of the Bank's datasets as possible are accessible using leading methods and techniques, and are listed appropriately in the Open Data Catalog.
7. Identify new high-value datasets (such as data relevant at local levels) for inclusion in the Open Data initiative, the work program of the Cluster, or associated tools.
8. Provide support to clients through advisory services related to open data policies and techniques, as part of the Open Data Advisory Team of DECDG.
9. Work with other program teams in DECDG as required, including to support clients to improve data quality and accessibility.

Selection Criteria:

Minimum Education/Experience: graduate degree in a relevant discipline: PhD plus a minimum of 2 years relevant work experience; or MA in a relevant discipline and 5 years work experience.

1. Technical expertise and background - Proficiency in data visualization and analysis methods, proficiency working with public statistics and data management. Experience with climate change and environment data. Expertise using social media and other digital technologies, including web development. Prior involvement in open data and open government communities, especially as they relate to international development.
2. Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Actively seeks knowledge needed to complete assignments and shares knowledge with others, communicating and presenting information in a clear and organized manner.
3. Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Analyzes facts and data to support sound, logical decisions regarding own and others' work.
4. Written and Verbal Communication - Delivers information effectively in support of team or workgroup. Excellent writing and editing skills, with a strong command of English and an ability to convey complex ideas in a clear, direct, and lively style.
5. Data Interpretation and Analysis - Able to demonstrate substantive working or functional proficiency level sufficient to apply this competency to all tasks, including those with significant challenges
6. Teamwork and Inclusion - Able to collaborate with other team members and contribute productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view. Able to use strong interpersonal and teamwork skills to cultivate effective, productive client relationships and partnerships across organizational boundaries, to generate excitement and momentum around the Open Data Initiative.
7. Client Orientation - Able to take personal responsibility and accountability for timely response to client queries, requests or needs, working to remove obstacles that may impede execution or overall success.
8. Drive for Results - Able to take personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, and has the personal organization to do so.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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