WBG Pioneer - Financial Sector 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.

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private-sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

The Finance, Competitiveness and Investment (FCI) Global Practice combines financial sector and private sector development expertise to help countries build competitive markets, mobilize private capital, and create sustainable, better-paying jobs. FCI's work spans financial stability and integrity, financial inclusion and access, long-term finance, crisis and disaster risk finance, investment climate reform, trade and regional integration, and the facilitation of private capital, with climate, gender, and digitalization as cross-cutting priorities.  

This position sits within EAWF2, the FCI unit supporting the Africa West and Central (AFW) Region across three Country Management Units: Ghana+ (Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone), Nigeria, and the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC, comprising Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon). Across these countries, EAWF2 helps governments expand access to finance for micro, small, and medium enterprises, strengthen financial institutions and regional financial integration, advance investment climate and business environment reforms, and design programs that channel private investment toward job creation, particularly for youth and women. The team pursues this agenda through a mix of lending operations, analytics, and advisory services; working closely with government counterparts, IFC, and MIGA to ground policy dialogue and project design in rigorous, firm-level and macro-financial evidence. 

Duties and Responsibilities :

• The intern would support the Unit’s financial sector development portfolio, contributing to ongoing analytical work and operational engagements.  
• Specific roles and responsibilities would include: 
• Contributing to financial sector monitoring, including regular collection and analysis of financial sector data;  
• Providing research assistance in support of the preparation of the Cameroon Access to Finance Project, Ghana Oil Palm Financing Project, CEMAC Financial Inclusion Project, and Nigeria INFRAGROW Project; 
• Contributing to the preparation of project documents, including Project Concept Notes, Project Appraisal Documents, Aide-Mémoires, Learning and Results Notes as required. 
• Supporting the implementation of ASA, particularly the Ghana National Financial Inclusion Strategy; 
• Supporting the planning and coordination of client engagements; workshops on MSME access to finance, financial inclusion, and capital markets development; consultations; and operational missions, ensuring timely follow-up and documentation, and actively participate in missions and stakeholder discussions as a full team member. 
• Performing any other duties as assigned by the Task Team Leaders. 

Selection Criteria

• Must be currently in the final year of program or enrolled in a postgraduate (master’s/PhD) program; enrollment in master’s/PhD preferred  
• Must have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience  
• Be enrolled in economics or finance field or other relevant field (statistics, public policy, international development) with significant economics/finance coursework. 
• Demonstrated interest in development work and the World Bank Group’s mission 
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to work effectively in diverse, team-based environments 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines 
• Proficiency in English; additional languages may be required depending on the role 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 
• Knowledge of statistical or data analysis software such as PowerBI or Python

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.