Behavioral Scientist

Job #: req12963

Organization: World Bank

Sector: Poverty Reduction

Grade: GF

Term Duration: 2 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: International Recruitment

Location: Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 9/15/2021 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

BACKGROUND

The Mind, Behavior, and Development Unit (eMBeD) is a multidisciplinary team in the Poverty and Equity Global Practice whose core objective is to support the use of behavioral insights by World Bank staff and clients in diagnosing, designing and evaluating interventions to reduce poverty and enhance equity. Behaviorally informed policy focuses on a wide set of determinants of behavior, paying attention to context and the social and psychological factors that influence decision making. It also explores the design and implementation details in existing systems of service delivery that affect how people engage. Behavioral policy can give rise to powerful policy solutions, often at low cost.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

eMBeD is looking for a Behavioral Scientist to join the team with operational experience applying behavioral insights in public policy. An understanding of economic and behavioral science concepts is essential. The Behavioral Scientist will:

• Act as in-house behavioral science expert in a specific area(s) of behavioral science related to poverty and equity, managing and advising behaviorally informed interventions from inception to evaluation (using appropriate methodologies for handling and conducting experiments).
• Carry out responsibilities for implementing and leading tasks such as behavioral diagnostics, design of behavioral science-informed interventions, policy research, technical assistance to sectoral or country teams, and client engagement.
• Collaborate and support project teams across the World Bank in designing and implementing behaviorally informed interventions and evaluations of impacts and effectiveness of the interventions for the desired outcomes.
• Support World Bank clients in identifying, designing, implementing and evaluating behaviorally informed interventions. This includes capacity building (i.e. conducting workshops and training) for government officials on behavioral science.
• Business development, project scoping, public goods production, and capacity building on area of expertise.

Selection Criteria

• Must have a Masters degree in Social Psychology, Organizational Psychology, Management Sciences, Behavioral Economics or a related field, PhD preferred.
• Strong research background with relevant publications in applied behavioral science.
• At least three years of research and experience in applying behavioral science to government and policy with a focus in developing contexts.
• Fluency in English is required; competency in Arabic, Spanish, or French or Russian preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise designing, managing, and analyzing randomized evaluations, field experiments in developing countries, and laboratory experiments.
• Strong entrepreneurial drive and strong interest in the use of evidence and impact evaluation in policymaking.
• Well-developed teamwork and collaborative abilities, and strong communication skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently and remotely.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES:

• Applied Skills and Experience: Demonstrates experience and in-depth knowledge to conduct behavioral science applied research in at least one of the following areas: psychology of poverty, cognitive biases, social norms, behavioral science experimental methods, measurement, social cohesion, climate change. Has hands-on experience with the development and implementation of qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and behavioral policy design. Has led the design, implementation and evaluation of randomized controlled trials.
• Integrative Skills: Ability to to work in a multi-disciplinary team and integrate different perspectives in their work. Working to develop an integrated view across all facets of behavioral science informed policy design and implementation.
• Policy Dialogue Skills: Identifies and assesses behavioral policy issues and plays an active role in the dialogue with the government and/or other stakeholders.
• Written and verbal communication: Excellent writing skills and strong presentation skills. Demonstrates the ability to influence and persuade others to accept ideas and suggestions (such as counterparts in government, international partner organizations, academia, and Bank colleagues, senior staff and managers).

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

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