The World Bank’s Development Data Group is inviting applications for a Data Visualization Developer to join our team and bring their experience in data visualization and storytelling to the field of international development. This position is suited to someone with a strong portfolio of work, an interest in international development, economics, and international affairs and with experience in data visualization and data-driven journalism.
Improving society’s fact-based view of the world is vital for progress, and the World Bank’s role as an international organization does not stop at publishing databases and research papers. The World Bank Data Group wants to highlight and explain data through stories and engaging visualizations. The goal is to help users and the public better understand what the data and research are showing and how they can be used to gain insight. Examples of this work include the Atlas of Sustainable Development Goals, World Development Report, Data Stories, The Changing Wealth of Nations, Statistical Performance Index. The team is looking to recruit a candidate with the skills needed to build creative/innovative data stories with interactive visualizations and scrollytelling using Javascript libraries including React and D3.
The selected candidate will apply their data visualization and analysis skills to inform audiences about trends, comparisons, and the latest research in development areas ranging from economics, healthcare, and education, to finance, climate change and infrastructure.
DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
The selected candidate will work closely with subject matter experts to:
· Turn complex development topics into compelling visuals.
· Generate and implement forward-thinking design, visualization, and content ideas for compelling data-driven stories accessible to global, non-specialist audiences.
· Apply this forward-thinking to the development of new and existing data products.
· Actively participate in the DECDG Data visualization community of practice.
· Contribute towards the improvement of DECDG data visualization infrastructure to facilitate the production, iteration, and publication of high-quality visual outputs.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The selected candidate should have:
· Data visualization design skills:
o Ability to turn complex topics into compelling and easy to digest visuals
o Solid knowledge of static data visualization best practices, interactive design, and most recent research on these topics.
o Deep understanding of the pros and cons of different methods of visualizing data.
· Data visualization technical skills:
o Demonstrable experience designing and implementing interactive and static data visualizations using JavaScript libraries such as D3, Vega, etc.
o Hands-on experience building interactive interfaces with at least one JavaScript framework: React.js, Vue.js, Angular.js, Svelte.js, etc.
o Understanding of multiple JavaScript frameworks, and tradeoffs associated with their use for interactive data visualization considered an advantage.
o Essential front end web development skills, such as modern HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, including mobile and responsive design
o Familiarity with R or Python visualization libraries considered an advantage.
· Other technical skills
o Analyzing and wrangling data using modern programming languages, libraries, and tools, such as R or Python
o Ability to work with version control in git/GitHub.
o Experience with literate programming and reproducible research
o Experience with Adobe illustrator considered an advantage
· Analytical skills:
o Ability to think strategically and analyze, interpret, and integrate data and information from varied sources into a clear storyline
o Curiosity about various development topics, and ability to work with different subject matter experts.
o Adapt to the rapid technological innovations in data visualizations and be willing to keep these skills up-to-date.
· Communication skills:
o Fluent English and strong presentation skills
o Experience communicating complex topics to non-technical audiences
· Education: at least a master’s degree with a minimum of 2 years’ relevant work experience. Relevant disciplines include data journalism, economics, statistics, computer science, mathematics, engineering.