WBG Pioneer - Legal Research Intern

WBG Pioneer - Legal Research Intern

World Bank

July 24, 2026August 13, 2026Washington DcUnited States
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group (WBG) is a global organization established to provide financial and technical assistance to developing countries. Its mission is to reduce poverty and support development by providing loans, grants, and expertise to help countries implement projects that improve their economic prospects and quality of life. The WBG operates in over 190 countries and employs thousands of professionals from diverse backgrounds, working collaboratively to address the challenges of global development. The organization is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women, particularly through initiatives like the Women, Business and the Law (WBL) project, which focuses on legal frameworks affecting women's economic participation.

Job Overview:
The WBG Pioneer - Legal Research Intern position is part of the World Bank Group’s Internship Program, designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students seeking a high-impact learning experience in global development. The intern will engage in hands-on research and analysis, contributing to the WBL project, which examines laws and regulations that affect women's economic empowerment across various economies. The role involves conducting comparative legal research, applied economic research, and stakeholder management, with the goal of informing policy discussions and promoting women's economic inclusion. Interns will gain valuable insights into the intersection of law, economics, and gender issues while working alongside international professionals dedicated to ending poverty and enhancing women's rights.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for conducting comparative legal research on legislation impacting women's economic empowerment, delivering updated information for WBL indicators, and producing comparative data analyses. They will also manage project tasks related to the Enforcement Perceptions Pillar data collection, prepare presentations and briefing documents, and support annual data production and communication among WBL teams. Additionally, the intern will assist with contributor outreach, maintain partner relationships, and support dissemination activities by preparing materials for workshops and webinars, developing communication strategies, and measuring the impact of dissemination efforts. General support for the project will also be required as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be J.D., LL.M., or master's degree candidates in Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, or a related field. A minimum of 2 years of relevant post-graduate work experience is required, with a Ph.D. in Economics preferred. Applicants should demonstrate strong research skills related to gender issues and legal analysis, with a background in gender/women's studies being advantageous. Experience with comparative legal research and knowledge of family law, labor law, and laws addressing violence against women are preferred. Proficiency in Stata, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint is essential, while knowledge of R is desirable. Strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesize information from various sources are crucial, along with excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to be enrolled in a Master's, PhD, or similar graduate program during the internship, or to be in the fifth year or higher of a degree program in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages. An official letter from the university confirming that the internship fulfills academic requirements for at least one term of study is necessary. Alternatively, candidates may be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies and receive a stipend from their university equivalent to the minimum STT T1 fee level.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant post-graduate work experience. This experience should include demonstrated research skills in gender issues and legal analysis, as well as familiarity with comparative policy issues. A Ph.D. in Economics is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and research capability in the field.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent oral and written communication skills required. Professional fluency in additional languages such as Arabic, French, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish is preferred, as it would enhance the intern's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to the WBL project effectively.

Additional Notes:
This internship is offered under the WBG Pioneers No-Fee Internship Track, meaning that students may be appointed without a fee if they meet specific eligibility criteria. Candidates are limited to applying for a maximum of three positions within the organization. The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, particularly from Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates. The internship is designed to provide a full-time experience, allowing interns to immerse themselves in the organization's culture and contribute meaningfully to its mission.
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