WBG Pioneer - Sectoral Regulatory Efficiency Assessments 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.

The Regulatory Efficiency Unit (DECRE) is expanding its methodology to sectoral regulatory efficiency assessments in priority areas where administrative procedures, public services, and regulatory implementation directly affect investment, competitiveness, and market access. The first sectoral workstreams focus on Critical Resource Minerals and Agribusiness. In Critical Resource Minerals, DECRE assesses regulatory predictability, licensing, cadastre and permitting systems, inter-agency coordination, transparency, and practical bottlenecks affecting responsible mineral sector development. In Agribusiness, DECRE assesses regulatory and service-delivery systems across agrifood value chains, including input markets, SPS and trade procedures, land, water, standards, traceability, and related administrative processes. This internship will help build a strong evidence base for multi-country diagnostics, operational engagements, and reform-oriented knowledge products. 

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Conduct desk research on laws, regulations, institutions, administrative procedures, and public service delivery in Critical Resource Minerals and Agribusiness across selected countries. 

• Support mapping of end-to-end regulatory processes, such as mineral exploration and mining licenses, cadastral procedures, environmental and social permits, seed and fertilizer registration, SPS certification, trade-related procedures, land and water access, and other sector-specific processes. 

• Assist with adapting questionnaires and data collection instruments to sector and country contexts, including preparation of respondent guidance, trackers, and evidence files. 

• Help identify and organize potential expert contributors, including mining lawyers, geologists, environmental consultants, cadastre and regulatory specialists, agribusiness firms, SPS and trade experts, input suppliers, and relevant public agencies. 

• Support coding, cleaning, validation, and triangulation of de jure and de facto data, including time, cost, procedural steps, transparency requirements, digital services, agency coordination, and implementation practices. 

• Prepare concise analytical inputs, benchmarking tables, process maps, country notes, slide materials, and background sections for proposals, reports, operational briefs, and dissemination products. 

• Provide broader research and operational support to sectoral task teams, including source management, meeting notes, country scoping, and coordination support as needed. 

Selection Criteria

• Currently enrolled in a postgraduate program (master’s or PhD) in law, economics, public policy, international development, mining/extractives governance, agriculture/agribusiness, environmental regulation, trade, data analytics, or a related field. 

• 0–6 years of relevant professional experience and demonstrated interest in development work, sectoral regulatory reform, private sector development, investment climate, or public administration. 

• Strong legal, policy, or institutional research skills, with ability to understand and summarize complex regulations and administrative procedures across countries. 

• Knowledge of mining, critical minerals, environmental/social permitting, cadastral systems, agribusiness, SPS/trade, seed/fertilizer regulation, land/water regulation, standards, or traceability is a strong asset. 

• Excellent command of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Experience with Stata, R, Python, survey tools, data visualization, process mapping, or structured evidence management is an advantage. 

• Proficiency in English is required. Professional fluency in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, or other project-relevant languages is an asset. 

• Ability to work effectively in diverse teams, manage multiple priorities, maintain confidentiality, and deliver high-quality work within agreed deadlines. 

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.