Research Intern: State Effectiveness & Public Sector Reform

Inter-American Development Bank; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 36,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

The IDB Group invites active graduate students in public policy, economics, or related fields to join as an Intern Consultant in Washington, D.C. for a two-month period (Jan 16–Mar 15, 2027).

The role focuses on state effectiveness and institutional capacity, with responsibilities including literature reviews, data gathering, and drafting knowledge products. This paid internship offers exposure to public sector reform and governance research within the Institutions for Development Department

Qualifications

• Active graduate student in a relevant field with graduation after the internship period.
• Fluency in English; working knowledge of Spanish, French, or Portuguese is a plus.
• Learn continuously, collaborate and share knowledge, focus on clients, communicate and influence, innovate and try new things.
• Soft skills include time management, collaboration, motivation and strong communication.
• Proficiency in literature reviews, qualitative/quantitative analysis, and data collection; MS Office is required.

Responsibilities

• Support institutional capacity activities within the State Division on literature reviews.
• Collect and organize qualitative and quantitative evidence on governance and public sector reform in Guatemala.
• Assist in drafting policy briefs, background papers, data summaries, and benchmarking exercises.
• Contribute to the Concept Note, outline, and draft sections of the publication.
• Prepare presentations, figures, tables, and references for internal/external use.

Skills

Learn continuously

Collaborate and share knowledge

Focus on clients

Communicate and influence

Innovate and try new things

Education

Active graduate student in Public Policy / Public Administration / Economics / Political Science / International Development

Tools

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

Job description

The IDB Group invites active graduate students in public policy, economics, or related fields to join as an Intern Consultant in Washington, D.C. for a two-month period (Jan 16–Mar 15, 2027).

The role focuses on state effectiveness and institutional capacity, with responsibilities including literature reviews, data gathering, and drafting knowledge products. This paid internship offers exposure to public sector reform and governance research within the Institutions for Development Department