Application Deadline: June 30th 2019
The World Bank Group (WBG) welcomes all qualified individuals with diverse professional, academic, and cultural backgrounds. Specifically, women and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The YPP is a unique opportunity for young professionals who have both a passion for international development and the leadership potential to grow in fascinating top technical and managerial roles in the WBG. The program is designed for highly qualified and motivated individuals skilled in areas relevant to WBG technical/operations such as economics, finance, education, public health, social sciences, engineering, urban planning, agriculture, natural resources to name a few.
To be competitive, candidates need to demonstrate a commitment to development, proven academic success, professional achievement, and leadership capability.
Over the years, the YPP has hired over 1,800 people for positions ranging from entry-level to vice presidents and managing directors.
Every year, around 45 to 50 applicants are accepted into the program. Young Professionals are offered a five-year renewable term contract, spend 24 months in a structured development program, and enjoy a variety of benefits and opportunities.
Eligibility
Minimum Requirements
The following are the minimum requirements to be eligible for the Young Professionals Program.
· Citizenship of a member country of the World Bank Group
· Be born on or after October 1, 1987
· A PhD or Master’s degree and relevant work experience
· Fluency in English
· Full proficiency in one or more of the WBG’s working languages
— Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish — is
desired, but not required
· Specialization in a field relevant to the WBG
Technical/Operations such as economics, finance, education, public
health, social sciences, engineering, urban planning, agriculture,
natural resources, and others
· At least three years of relevant professional experience
related to development or continued academic study at the doctoral level
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
Program Features
Professional Experience
Young Professionals are expected to make significant contributions toward their 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 units’ business needs and Young Professionals’ interests, they will undertake a business driven rotational “stretch/exposure” assignment where they will gain valuable on-the-job experience.
Field Work
Young Professionals in the Operations stream are likely to join colleagues on field business trips, also called ‘missions,’ in developing countries. These missions allow Young Professionals to experience firsthand the challenges of global development, understand key aspects of our work, and meet WBG’s clients.
Training
A comprehensive development curriculum has been designed to ensure that YPs develop a WBG mindset, gain the foundational learning needed to understand and contribute to the WBG, and build the competencies required for an entry-level position: collaboration, leadership, integrative thinking, and innovation skills, while strengthening a culture of continuous learning.
The curriculum includes a blend of learning activities in a WBG cohort, small groups or individually. These activities range from onboarding activities, e-learning, cohort discussions with WBG leaders and leadership training, to career development conversations and networking opportunities.
Coaching and Mentoring
YP Buddy: Before they join, Young Professionals are assigned a
YP buddy from the previous year’s group, based on their professional
interests and cultural background. YP buddies help new recruits to
better settle in the new organization and location, as well as to
understand the expectations and challenges of the program.
Technical Buddy: In their hiring units, an experienced colleague is assigned as a “go-to person” to answer technical questions in their fields.
WBG Mentor: Once they have settled into their jobs, Young
Professionals can be paired with a technical senior colleague who can
mentor them on topics such as career options, “stretch/exposure”
assignment opportunities, and help them gain insight into the
organizational culture.
Youth Program Team: The Youth Program Team is dedicated to
recruiting and helping integrate Young Professionals into the WBG. The
team coordinates activities designed to support YPs, including mentoring
and guidance, helps develop career strategies, and others. The Youth
Program Team is a one-stop shop for Young Professionals looking for
support and guidance.
Compensation and 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 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 and Transportation Benefits
These benefits are only applicable to staff who are not residents of the greater Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area at the time of appointment. The World Bank will bear the cost of one-way transportation of staff and immediate dependent family from the staff member’s residence.
A one-time grant is included in the first paycheck to cover the cost of relocation.
Please note:
1. Staff Members who are not citizens (or in the U.S. lawful permanent residents) and have resided in the Host Duty Station area for 12 months or more immediately preceding acceptance of (a) appointment; (b) reappointment following a break in service are ineligible for Relocation and Transportation Benefits.
2. Staff Members who are citizens (or in the U.S., lawful permanent residents) of the Host Duty Station country and have resided in the Host Duty Station country for 12 months or more immediately preceding acceptance of (a) appointment; (b) reappointment following a break in service; are ineligible for Relocation and Transportation Benefits.
Mobility Premium: A financial benefit is provided for a fixed period 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.
Tax Allowance: U.S. staff receive an additional quarterly
payment to cover the federal, state, and local income tax liabilities on
their World Bank Group 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.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the World Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP) 2020