WBG Pioneer - Knowledge Intern

Description

WBG Pioneers, the World Bank Group’s Internship Program, offers undergraduate and postgraduate students a high impact learning experience at the heart of global development. Participants gain hands on experience in a diverse and dynamic environment, contribute fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, and connect with international professionals working to end poverty on a livable planet.

WBG Pioneers, the World Bank Group’s Internship Program, offers undergraduate and postgraduate students a high impact learning experience at the heart of global development. Participants gain hands on experience in a diverse and dynamic environment, contribute fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, and connect with international professionals working to end poverty on a livable planet.

Background/Organizational Context 

The Vienna Development Knowledge Center (VDKC) is a regional knowledge platform established in 2025 as a joint initiative of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the Federal Government of Austria. Anchored in the World Bank’s Knowledge Compact, the Center was created to strengthen the effective exchange and application of development knowledge across Europe and Central Asia (ECA). VDKC operates from the World Bank Group’s Vienna Office, the largest WBG office in Europe, and serves as a hub connecting policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and development partners across the region. 

The Center delivers peer-to-peer exchanges, workshops, technical deep dives, and field-based learning activities that help countries address complex policy and implementation challenges. Working with WBG technical teams, the Center’s work is closely linked to World Bank operations and advisory engagements, ensuring that knowledge exchange and learning activities respond to client demand and contribute to ongoing reform efforts across the region. VDKC places particular emphasis on practical, implementation-focused learning that enables countries to adapt global experience to local contexts, strengthen institutional capacity, and deliver development outcomes at scale.  

VDKC's work is organized around four thematic areas that reflect key development priorities across Europe and Central Asia: 

•  Economic Governance, including public financial management, state-owned enterprises, competition policy, financial sector development, and market institutions. 

•  Climate Adaptation and Resilience, including climate-smart development, disaster risk management, renewable energy, and locally led climate action. 

•  Livable and Competitive Cities, including urban development, mobility, housing, municipal services, and circular economy solutions. 

•  Human Capital and Productive Aging, including social protection, long-term care, health systems, workforce participation, and demographic resilience.

Additional information about the Vienna Development Knowledge Center can be found on the VDKC Website and LinkedIn. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

The internship will provide a hands-on opportunity for an individual interested in the translation of development knowledge into actions and results by governments and other WBG partners. Through active participation in VDKC’s work program, the intern will gain exposure to how development knowledge is captured, curated, exchanged, embedded in operational engagements, and applied in support of countries’ development priorities across ECA.  

Key responsibilities will include:

•  Supporting the preparation, organization, and delivery of knowledge exchange and learning activities (such as workshops, study visits, and peer-to-peer engagements). 

•  Assist in documenting takeaways, lessons learned, good practices, and insights generated through knowledge and learning activities and operational engagements. 

•  Contribute to the preparation of reports, briefing notes, summaries, presentations, website content, newsletters, and other communication materials. 

•  Assist in collecting participant feedback and basic performance data, as well as how the center’s activities are contributing to operational pathways and results. 

•  Assist in organizing and maintaining knowledge resources, databases, and content repositories to improve accessibility and usability by different audiences.

•  Support engagement with World Bank technical teams, government counterparts, development partners, and other stakeholders involved in knowledge and learning activities. 

Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria 

•  Master's degree (completed or currently pursuing) in economics, public policy, international development, or a related social sciences field. 

•  0-3 years of relevant professional experience, including previous internships, research assignments, or program support activities. 

•  Demonstrated interest in international development and the World Bank Group’s mission. 

•  Familiarity with at least one VDKC thematic area and/or development issues in the Europe and Central Asia region.

 •  Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines 

 •  Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills •  Effective written and verbal communication skills  

•  Ability to work effectively in diverse, team-based environments 

•  Full professional proficiency in English; knowledge of German, Russian or another language relevant to the Europe and Central Asia region will be considered an advantage. 

No-Fee Internship Eligibility
This position is offered under the WBG Pioneers No-Fee Internship Track. Students may be offered a no-fee STT appointment provided that they either: (a) are enrolled in a Master's, PhD, or similar graduate program during the entire internship (or are in the fifth year or higher of a degree program in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages) and provide an official letter from their university confirming that the internship fulfills academic requirements for at least one term of study; or (b) are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies and receive a stipend from their university at least equivalent to the minimum STT T1 fee level in effect at the start of the assignment, as confirmed by an official university letter.

Note: Please limit your applications to a maximum of three positions. Applications exceeding this limit will not be considered.

WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.  Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.