Manuela Stănculescu is a Social Protection Specialist at the World Bank, based in Bucharest, Romania. 

In her current position she supports the Romanian government in developing and implementing policies promoting inclusivity, equality, and support for vulnerable groups. She is also involved in advancing government reforms and other efforts in social services and other areas within social protection and jobs. 

Manuela has extensive national and international research experience, spanning topics such as poverty alleviation, marginalization, informal work, children's deinstitutionalization, and education. 

Before joining the World Bank, she served as a senior researcher at the Research Institute for the Quality of Life (Romanian Academy). 

Originally a mathematician, she holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Bucharest, Romania.