WBG Pioneer - Seismic Risk Management Intern
Job #:
req37704
Organization:
World Bank
Grade:
T4 (No-fee)
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Hiring Manager:Renier Andre Saayman
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
8/12/2026 (11:59pm UTC)
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 World Bank Group (WBG) is the world's largest multilateral development institution, providing financing, knowledge, and technical assistance to governments and the private sector to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development in more than 100 countries.
The World Bank Group's Corporate Real Estate (WBGRE) team manages a global real estate portfolio comprising 182 offices across 145 countries. To support safe and resilient workplaces, WBGRE has established the foundations of a seismic risk management program through engineering assessments of higher-risk facilities and portfolio-wide screening methodologies.
WBGRE is now undertaking a project to establish its long-term Seismic Risk Management Framework by completing the initial portfolio baseline, defining technical approaches for evaluating and managing seismic risk across the global portfolio, and preparing the implementation roadmap for its long-term operation. The intern will contribute graduate-level technical engineering expertise while working closely with WBGRE staff and external structural engineering consultants.
Duties and Responsibilities :
• Under the guidance of the Real Estate Governance and Oversight Lead, the intern will:
• Review existing engineering assessments and engage with Project Managers, Facilities Managers, Corporate Risk, Insurance, and external structural engineering consultants to identify current practices and implementation needs.
• Coordinate the technical completion of the remaining seismic assessments and consolidate seismic ratings and related information into WBGRE portfolio databases.
• Develop a Seismic Risk Management Framework defining assessment methodologies and the integration of seismic considerations throughout the real estate lifecycle.
• Develop technical requirements and scopes of work for future engineering assessments and technical advisory services.
• Prepare guidance and training materials to support Project Managers and Facilities Managers in applying seismic assessment results.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and an implementation roadmap for the continued development of WBGRE's seismic risk management capability.
Selection Criteria
• Candidates must be currently enrolled in, or in the final year of, a postgraduate (Master's/PhD) program in Structural Engineering, Earthquake Engineering, Civil Engineering (Structural), Seismic Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Candidates must have 0–6 years of relevant professional experience.
• Academic background must align with the requirements outlined in the job description
• Demonstrated interest in development work, the World Bank Group's mission, and structural resilience, seismic engineering, or building risk management.
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and contribute specialized technical expertise while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams and external engineering consultants.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines
• Proficiency in English.
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.
The World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. Our vision is to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.
We are not a bank in the common sense; we are made up of two unique development institutions owned by 189 member countries: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA).
Each institution plays a different but collaborative role in advancing the vision of inclusive and sustainable globalization. The IBRD aims to reduce poverty in middle-income and creditworthy poorer countries, while IDA focuses on the world's poorest countries.
Their work is complemented by that of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
Together, we provide low-interest loans, interest-free credits and grants to developing countries for a wide array of purposes that include investments in education, health, public administration, infrastructure, financial and private sector development, agriculture and environmental and natural resource management.
