World Bank Risk Data Fellows Program 2025: Empowering Climate and Disaster Risk Professionals in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations

About the Risk Data Fellows Program

The Risk Data Fellows Program is a 6-month work placement designed for climate and disaster risk professionals, including data scientists, geospatial analysts, and risk modelers. The fellowship provides an opportunity for early-career professionals from climate-vulnerable countries to work directly with World Bank Operations, applying data science, geospatial analysis, and innovative technologies to strengthen climate and disaster risk management.

Building on the success of its inaugural cohort in 2023, the Digital Earth Team, in partnership with the Disaster-FCV Nexus, is launching the second cohort of the program. This new round will focus on professionals from Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations (FCV) countries across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

Fellowship Duration and Structure

• Length: 6 months (75 working days)

• Start Date: November 2025

• Format: Remote work with possible mission travel

• Extension: Opportunity for a second 6-month contract, based on performance

• Role: Fellows will serve as World Bank Short-Term Consultants (STC)

During the fellowship, participants will support World Bank Advisory, Analytics, and Financing activities, applying advanced data and risk analysis to help climate-vulnerable countries better prepare for disasters.

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be nationals or residents of one of the following FCV countries:

• Burkina Faso

• Burundi

• Cameroon

• Chad

• Comoros

• Democratic Republic of Congo

• Republic of Congo

• Ethiopia

• Guinea-Bissau

• Iraq

• Kosovo

• Lebanon

• Mali

• Mozambique

• Niger

• Nigeria

• Somalia

• South Sudan

• Sudan

• Syrian Arab Republic

• São Tomé and Príncipe

• Zimbabwe

Fellowship Roles and Key Responsibilities

Fellows will support World Bank project teams with customized expertise across the following thematic areas:

1. Data Readiness & Advisory

• Ensure data governance and compliance with international standards

• Assess data quality and readiness for new projects

• Provide advisory support on data needs, collection, and management

• Train project teams on best practices in data readiness and governance

2. Risk Data Analytics

• Collect, clean, and manage large datasets from diverse sources

• Perform statistical and geospatial analyses to identify patterns and trends

• Translate complex data into actionable policy insights

3. Risk Data Communication

• Develop data storytelling strategies for diverse audiences

• Design interactive data visualizations, dashboards, and reports

• Conduct workshops and trainings on effective data communication

• Advocate for evidence-based decision-making through accessible data

4. Machine Learning & Earth Observation

• Apply machine learning to Earth Observation (EO) data

• Develop models for land cover classification, change detection, and environmental monitoring

• Integrate EO data with World Bank projects to strengthen climate resilience

• Explore innovative uses of AI for climate and disaster risk management

5. Risk Data Sharing

• Build and manage a Risk Data Library using the Risk Data Library Standard (RDLS)

• Ensure quality, accessibility, and compliance of data repositories

• Support project teams and external partners in using risk datasets effectively

• Enhance collaboration through standardized, open-access data practices

Selection Criteria

Applicants should meet the following qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD degree (or current enrollment in a graduate program) in fields such as climate change, disaster risk management, geospatial technologies, computer science, civil engineering, or related disciplines

• Proven expertise in data science, geospatial analytics, or digital technologies for disaster risk management

• Experience with data platforms, models, and standards

• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks under tight deadlines

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience with data visualization and digital storytelling

• Fluency in English and ability to work in multicultural environments

Fellowship Benefits

• Opportunity to work as a World Bank Short-Term Consultant (STC)

• Direct involvement in climate and disaster risk management projects in FCV countries

• Hands-on training and mentoring from the World Bank Digital Earth Team and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR)

• Professional growth in data science, geospatial analysis, and climate resilience

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit their applications by September 26, 2025 through the official application form. Applications sent via email will not be considered.

To learn more about the first cohort of Risk Data Fellows, please watch the following short video: GFDRR Risk Data Fellows 2023—Impacting their Communities.

Click here to apply.

More information: Risk Data Fellows / Short Term Consultant (STC) / Terms of Reference

For more information or inquiries, please contact:

• Andrea Garcia – agarciatapia@worldbank.org

• Nuala Cowan – ncowan@worldbank.org
  Subject line: Risk Data Fellow

The Risk Data Fellows Program is supported by the Swiss Re Foundation and executed by the Digital Earth Team at GFDRR, under the Global Unit for Disaster and Climate Risk Management.