Eligibility

  • Fellows work in academia – as post-docs; applied researchers; assistant, associate or full professors and have a strong interest in M&E, theories, methods or practices relevant to evaluation.
  • Fellows may come from a range of disciplines such as sociology, political science, psychology, public administration, education, economics, interdisciplinary fields, and so on. 
  • Fellows would typically be teaching and/or researching on a range of evaluation-related topics such as research methods, program evaluation, behavioral sciences, data science, among others.
  • Fellows with specializations in topics relevant to IEG (such as causal analysis, text analytics, systems analysis, organizational theory, organizational learning) are highly desired, so these topics may be shared within IEG and the broader WBG, and so on.

Fellows Projects

  • Fellows will be matched to one of two IEG departments conducting evaluations. Typical duties would involve joint research on evaluation topics, conducting evaluations as part of a team, and so on.
  • Fellows with a ‘methods’ interest will have the opportunity to work on research projects, including publications, managed through the Methods Advisory Team. 
  • The development of joint research topics may also be explored. 
  • In many cases, Fellows may participate in missions to other countries to gather and analyze data for evaluations. 

Funding

The IEG Fellows Program is a non-financial fellowship arrangement (involving no fees, insurance or other living expenses). Different scenarios are possible. 

  • Faculty spend their sabbaticals in IEG and work on evaluation-related topics. 
  • Post-docs and other researchers may be financed by their university grants or some other source of funding. 
  • In exceptional cases, IEG may be able to assist in identifying alternative funding arrangements. 

IEG provides office space, expenses associated with evaluation missions to other countries (on applicable evaluation projects), and coordination services. 

Coordination and Administration

Sponsorship. The program is sponsored by the IEG Office of the Director General. 


Management. The Fellows Program is managed by the IEG Methods Advisor, Jos Vaessen.  


IEG’s coordination role. IEG will coordinate (non-fee) contractual and legal arrangements, as well as assist with visa requests and assistance in identification of housing. Mentoring, networking opportunities, joint publishing opportunities and related activities will be provided. 


Location: IEG’s Offices in Washington, DC. 


Length of fellowship. Negotiable. Appointments could be available up to 150 days. Some could be as short as one to two months. 


Visas. Non-U.S. citizens are encouraged to apply. Fellows would be eligible to apply for visa sponsorship. Visa issuance is subject to US Government (State Department) processes and approvals. 


Security requirement. All applicants would need to undergo a standard security process for World Bank Group appointments.
 

Selection and Matching

IEG offers a limited number of opportunities through the Fellows Program for qualified candidates whose interests align with IEG’s work and demand. 

Selection and matching will involve a review of both the applicant’s qualifications and professional interests, and IEG’s expected work program and methods needs. Where there is a good fit, IEG would engage directly with the applicant to explore a fellowship. 

Prospective Fellows are advised to review IEG’s work program to learn more about ongoing and upcoming projects: http://ieg.worldbankgroup.org/about-us

Application

Timing. The August 20, 2019 deadline has passed for ‘fiscal year 20’ fellows. However, we are accepting applications on a rolling basis for consideration. Please contact us at iegfellows@worldbankgroup.org for more information.

Process. Provide CVs and a short statement of interest. A follow-up call will be arranged to determine if a suitable match may be available. IEG will have discussions with potential host evaluation teams. Should a match be possible, the scope of work would be developed, and the fellowship arrangements be put into place.

Apply now

Additional IEG Fellows Program FAQs

1. What are the criteria for acceptance into the program?

Selection and matching will involve a review of both the applicant’s qualifications and professional interests, and IEG’s expected work program and methods needs. Where there is a good fit, IEG would engage directly with the applicant to explore a fellowship.

 

2. How can I obtain funding?

The IEG Fellows Program is a non-financial fellowship arrangement (involving no fees, insurance or other living expenses). Different scenarios are possible.

  • Faculty would spend their sabbaticals in IEG and work on evaluation-related topics.
  • Post-docs and other researchers would be financed by their university grants or some other source of funding.
  • In exceptional cases, IEG may be able to assist in identifying alternative funding arrangements.


3. I do not live in Washington, DC. May I still apply?

Yes, applicants can apply from locations outside of the Washington DC area.

  • Non-U.S. citizens are encouraged to apply. Through a formal (non-fee) appointment process with the World Bank, fellows would be eligible to apply for visa sponsorship for the period of their participation in the Fellows Program.  Visa issuance is subject to US Government (State Department) processes and approvals


4. What are the benefits of the IEG Academic Fellows Program?

  • Fellows have an opportunity to develop their research interests. Fellows will further have networking opportunities, joint publishing opportunities, and related activities will be provided.

Thank you for your interest in the IEG Academic Fellows program.

The program has been temporarily suspended due to restrictions related to COVID-19. By temporarily suspending the program, we are prioritizing the health and safety of our staff and fellows who are unable to travel. Our team is closely monitoring developments related to COVID-19, and will update this website with announcements.  We encourage you to periodically check this page for updates.

 


Contact:
iegfellows@worldbankgroup.org

Apply now

Fellows Program Purpose

As one of the largest and oldest evaluation organizations in a large public agency – multilateral, bilateral or other government agency – the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) is uniquely positioned to share knowledge about its work in evaluating World Bank Group (WBG) international development interventions. At the same time, IEG is interested in bringing knowledge and expertise from academia to IEG. 

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"For your sabbatical or post-doc, are you looking to do research with an agency conducting evaluations in international development? Consider joining IEG in its Washington offices through IEG’s Academic Fellows Program.” - Jos Vaessen, World Bank Group IEG Methods Advisor

 

The IEG Academic Fellows Program: 

  • promotes evaluation knowledge sharing among academics and practitioners;  
  • establishes links and networks among academic experts and practitioners; 
  • enhance IEG staff’s awareness of “state-of-the-art” topics from academic experts; 
  • contributes to evaluation research by sharing IEG’s evaluation practices and providing practical exposure to Fellows on the evaluation of international development interventions and practices;  
  • promotes cross-fertilization of ideas and practices among client groups (e.g., students, development partners) of academics and IEG; 
  • contributes to improved IEG evaluation practices (and consequently the quality and use of evaluations); 
  • strengthens IEG’s presence in the international evaluation community through joint publications, etc.; 
  • serves as a demonstration to other agencies or bodies looking to begin a fellowship program, and promote the sharing of fellowship lessons.