The World Bank launched Young Professionals Program 2023. We consolidate all information concerning World Bank 2023.
This article is updated for 2023-2024 requirements. The Young Professionals Program 2023 (YPP) is a starting point for an exciting career in the World Bank.
It is a unique opportunity for younger talent who have both a passion for international development and the leadership potential to grow in fascinating top technical and managerial roles in the World Bank Group. The Program is designed for highly qualified and motivated individuals skilled in areas relevant to the WBG technical/operations such as economics, finance, education, public health, social sciences, engineering, urban planning, agriculture, natural resources and others.
In addition to these areas of interest, the Bank Group also considers qualified candidates for our own institutional and corporate needs. These areas include:
– Administrative and Client Support n Communications
– Finance and Treasury
– Human Resources
– Information Solutions
– Institutional Integrity
– Legal n Resource Management
– Internal Auditing
– Independent Evaluation Group
To be competitive for this highly selective program, candidates need to demonstrate a commitment to development, proven academic success, professional achievement, and leadership capability.
We value diversity in our workplace, and encourage qualified men and women with diverse professional, academic, and cultural backgrounds to apply. Since its inception, the YP program has hired over 1,700 people who hold or have held positions ranging from entry-level to vice presidents and managing directors. It is a unique opportunity to experience development and gain exposure to the World Bank’s operations and policies.
Eligibility
Minimum Requirements
Overview of the World Bank Young Professionals Program
The WBG YPP is a two-year leadership development program designed to provide early-career professionals with hands-on experience in key development areas, such as economics, finance, education, and public health. The program offers participants the chance to work on challenging projects, develop their skills, and build a vast network of peers and experts in the field of international development.
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the WBG YPP, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be 32 years of age or younger as of September 1, 2023.
Hold a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field (e.g., economics, finance, public policy, international development, engineering).
Have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience or a combination of professional experience and advanced education.
Demonstrate a commitment to international development and the World Bank’s mission.
Possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
Be fluent in English, with proficiency in at least one other World Bank working language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish) preferred.
Application Process
The application process for the WBG YPP typically begins in June, with a deadline in August. Applicants should be prepared to submit the following:
An online application form, which includes personal information, educational background, work experience, and language proficiency.
A statement of interest outlining the applicant’s motivation for joining the WBG YPP and how their skills and experience align with the program’s objectives.
A comprehensive CV or resume.
Academic transcripts and certificates.
Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in interviews and assessments, which may include written tests and group exercises.
Additional Qualifications
To be competitive for the limited number of positions, a combination of the following credentials is highly desirable:
- Display a commitment and passion for international development
- Possess outstanding academic credentials
- Exhibit excellent client engagement and team leadership skills
- Have international development country experience
- Be motivated to relocate and undertake country assignments (operational stream)
Program Features
Every year, around 40 applicants are accepted into the Young Professionals Program. Young Professionals are offered a 5-year term contract, spend 24 months in a structured development program, and enjoy a variety of benefits and opportunities.
Professional Experience
Placed directly with their respective hiring teams, Young Professionals are expected to make significant contributions towards the unit’s work program while they gain a broad overview of the WBG’s policies and work. As part of their two-year program and in line with their hiring units’ business needs and Young Professionals interests, they are expected to undertake a ‘stretch/exposure assignment’ where they will gain valuable on-the-job experience.
Field Work
During the Program, Young Professionals assigned to the Operations stream are likely to join colleagues on field business trips, also called missions in developing countries. These missions present invaluable opportunities for Young Professionals to experience firsthand the challenges of global development, understand key aspects of WBG’s work, and get exposed to WBG’s clients and their problems.
Compensation & Benefits
Salary: As an entry-level professional in the WBG, Young Professionals are offered an internationally competitive salary, based on their education and professional experience.
Health, Life, Accident and Other Insurance Programs: Young Professionals and their families (including declared domestic partners) may choose from three comprehensive medical/dental benefit plans. The WBG also provides basic life and accident insurance to all staff at no cost, and staff can elect optional life and accident insurance plans. The WBG also provides disability and Workers’ Compensation coverage to staff at no cost.
Pension Plan: The WBG sponsors a comprehensive pension plan for eligible staff. Upon separation from the WBG, either a lump sum or a pension will become payable to the staff based on eligibility.
Relocation Benefits on Appointment: These benefits are only applicable to staff who are not residents of the Greater Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area at the time of appointment.
- Relocation Travel: The World Bank will bear the cost of one-way transportation of staff and immediate dependent family from the staff member’s residence.
- Relocation Shipment: You may choose to have the World Bank handle your shipping arrangements, or you may elect the Optional Shipment Grant.
- Relocation Grant: A one-time grant is included in the first paycheck to cover the cost of relocation.
Mobility Premium: A financial benefit is provided for a fixed period of time to cover expenses associated with being an expatriate staff member, based on family size and nationality. This benefit is not available for U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents who are based in Washington D.C.
Tax Allowance: U.S. staff receive an additional quarterly payment to cover the U.S., state and local income tax liabilities on their World Bank income. Expatriates and U.S. permanent residents do not incur U.S. income tax liability and are thus not eligible for this benefit.
Financial Assistance: The World Bank Group offers several financial assistance programs, including a two-year interest-free settling-in loan to those who relocate upon appointment.
Selection Cycle
Competition is keen. We receive thousands of applications each year for a limited number of positions. Most candidates exceed the minimum criteria.
Timeline:
Evaluation CriteriaYPP Interviews
We assess candidates based on three main competencies:
Client Orientation
– Commitment to Clients
– Results Orientation
– Integrity and Ethics
Professional Experience
– Technical Expertise (Depth & Breadth)
– Strategic Perspective
– Problem Analysis
Team Leadership
– Teamwork
– Listening and Communication
– Innovation
– Negotiation
Further on, we ensure that candidates have the ability to work in multiple sectors.
Format of the Interview Day
The interview is a full-day event. Those invited to interviews will be asked to come to the WBG from 8 am-5:30 pm.
The interview consists of:
(1) Interview: a 1.5 hour interview with a panel of three senior technical experts in the field of expertise of the candidate; and
(2) Assessment Center: either a morning or an afternoon 4-hour group assessment center (AC). The group assessment center is done with four other candidates. It consists of a series of individual and group exercises related to an international development case study that is given to the candidates at the start of the AC.
Application Process
Before You Apply, please ensure that:
- You meet the minimum requirements for eligibility for the Young Professionals Program
- You have all the information at hand including key dates, an updated Curriculum Vitae (CV), Education Certificates/Transcripts, PhD Dissertation/Master’s Thesis topics (short summary), if applicable, and the Application Essay ready to be uploaded.
Application Essay for the 2023 Selection Process
Applications are now closed, and will reopen in June of 2023
“There is no single blueprint for countries in their efforts to end extreme poverty and to promote shared prosperity in a sustainable manner. Strategies to reach the least well-off must be tailored to each country’s context, based on solid evidence provided by the latest data and analysis and on the needs of the people.
The World Bank Group partners with countries to take on these challenges in a number of ways. These include funding projects that can have transformational impacts on communities, collecting and analyzing the critical data and evidence needed to ensure these programs reach the poorest and most vulnerable, and helping governments to create more-inclusive and more-effective policies that can benefit entire populations.
…The World Bank works across intersecting and complex sectors. Examples include increasing agricultural productivity and building infrastructure that provides access to energy, irrigation, and markets; promoting freer trade that provides greater access to markets for the poor and enabling entrepreneurs in low- and middle-income countries to grow their businesses and create new jobs; investing in both health care and education, especially for women and children; and implementing social safety nets and providing social insurance, including initiatives that protect against the impacts of natural disasters and pandemics. In working across these diverse topics, the World Bank aims to help developing countries find solutions to the toughest global and local development challenges.” (Extract from the 2015 WBG Annual Report)
Describe in fewer than 1,000 words your own contribution and the potential role of World Bank in resolving some of the above challenges. You may focus on a region or set of countries as well as your area of expertise to describe your proposal.
How to apply?
Application Checklist
The application checklist is meant to facilitate your application experience.
- Ensure that you use either Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, or Internet Explorer 10 or higher as your browser version.
- You will be asked to register for an account and provide an email address.
- You must complete your application in a single session and will be able to submit it only if you have uploaded all the required documents and answered all the questions (all questions marked with an asterisk-*- are required). Please apply only once.
- Provide the most current contact information. The information should be valid for a period of one year. In case your contact information changes during the selection process, it is your responsibility to email us the updated information.
- Ensure that you have correctly spelled out your email address, since this will be our main channel of communication with you regarding your candidacy.
- Remember to enter your complete phone number (country code + city code + number).
- Attach the following documents (mandatory):
– CV
– Education Certificates/Transcripts
– PhD Dissertation/Master’s Thesis topic (short summary), if applicable
– Application EssayNOTE:
Each file should not exceed 5 MB, and should be in the following format: .doc, .docx, or .pdf
- Make sure that you are connected with a reasonable bandwidth of internet connection without any network/firewall restriction.
- Complete the application within 45 minutes to avoid system timeout.
- Do NOT enter any special characters in any of the application fields. Try not to copy and paste any characters/text from Microsoft Word.
- Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any further changes/updates.
- Applicants will be informed of their status as the process moves along.
Program Benefits
Participants in the WBG YPP can expect a range of benefits, including:
A competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement savings, and paid leave.
A structured curriculum designed to develop technical and leadership skills through training, mentoring, and on-the-job experience.
Access to a vast network of World Bank professionals and alumni, offering opportunities for collaboration and career advancement.
Opportunities to contribute to the World Bank’s mission by working on real projects that make a tangible difference in the lives of people in developing countries.
Attention:
This application supports the following browsers:
– Google Chrome
– Mozilla Firefox
– Apple Safari
– Internet Explorer 10 or higher
Click here for the Application Form
Download the YPP Brochure
The Young Professionals Program: A Career in International Development
Look for tips for interviewing at the World Bank Group
– Check this video to learn more about the assessment center from a Young Professional alumn
– Get familiar with typical World Bank Group documents and projects
Look here for more information about UN YPP 2021