WBG Pioneer -Forensic Accountants and financial 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 Pioneer

Background/Organizational Context 

As part of the World Bank Group (WB), the Integrity Vice Presidency (INT) shares in the WB’s overall mission in alleviating poverty and achieving a shared and sustainable prosperity in client countries. INT’s fundamental role within the WB is to help detect, prevent, and deter fraud and corruption in the use of the WB’s financial resources, so that those resources are used effectively to benefit the poor people that they are intended to reach.  

Forensic Services Unit (FSU) supports INT’s fraud and corruption investigations, forensic reviews, and integrity risk mitigation across WBG-funded operations, Bank Group staff matters, vendors, and client-country contexts. FSU combines financial, technology (digital forensic and fraud analytics) and investigative skills for broader preventive and advisory work, including diagnosing vulnerabilities, quantifying losses, strengthening financial management and procurement controls. FSU also provides capacity building, knowledge sharing, external engagement, internal FSU strategy/reporting, and the use of forensic technologies such as digital forensics, eDiscovery, fraud analytics, AI/GenAI, blockchain, and cryptocurrency tools, while maintaining strong working relationships across INT, the Bank Group, development partners, and client countries. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Work with FSU’s Forensic Accountants and financial experts to perform a variety of financial analysis for investigation cases and prevention purposes, including: 

• Support FSU investigations, forensic reviews, and prevention initiatives through financial analysis, document review, data organization, and research on integrity risks and emerging fraud schemes. 

• Analyze financial, transactional, procurement, payroll, digital, and other business records using Excel and analytical tools to identify irregularities, red flags, suspicious patterns, control weaknesses, and risk indicators. 

• Prepare analyses, schedules, visualizations, documentation, reports, presentations, training materials, knowledge products, and case-related databases while maintaining confidentiality and evidentiary standards. 

• Contribute to fraud analytics, digital forensics, eDiscovery, benchmarking, emerging technology testing, and multidisciplinary collaboration in support of FSU’s investigative, preventive, advisory, and knowledge-sharing mandate. 

Selection Criteria

• Completed undergraduate university degree in accounting, audit, business administration/management, finance or similar field. 

• Completed or undergoing Master’s (Graduate program), MBA (Finance), professional accounting program, i.e., Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant, or equivalent. 

• Certification in forensic accounting, AML/CFT, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is desirable. 

• At least 2 years of professional accounting experience (articling, apprenticeship in industry or professional firm is included) in the private and/or public sector. 

• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Must have a good command in MS Excel, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, etc. Experience in working with various accounting or ERP systems used in major organizations (such as SAP, Oracle, Sage, etc.) is desirable 

• Effective written and verbal communication skills, fluent in written and spoken English is a requirement, while Arabic, French or Spanish skills are a very strong plus. 

• Ability to handle high-pressure situations and remain calm under stress. 

• Keen learner, self-driven and willingness to perform a variety of tasks. 

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

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

• Candidate with strong Client Orientation, Drive for Results, Teamwork (Collaboration), Research and Analytical thinking 

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.