The World Bank Group’s Young Professionals Program (YPP) engages global talent with distinctive technical skills and diverse backgrounds to work across the World Bank, MIGA, and IFC towards a world free of poverty on a livable planet. Through the YPP, we select top talent to advance the World Bank Group’s mission.
For over 60 years, the YPP has been both a highly competitive and uniquely rewarding opportunity to join the World Bank Group. As a premier international organization at the forefront of development, we look for prospective Young Professionals (YPs) to join us from around the world with diverse backgrounds, exceptional technical skills, outstanding leadership potential, and a demonstrated commitment to our mission and and values. Working across the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA, the YPs help solve the world’s most pressing development challenges to improve the lives of millions globally.
YPs join the World Bank Group in different units in the World Bank, IFC, or MIGA Operations typically as Technical Specialists, Economists, and Associate Investment Officers on an initial five-year term contract, renewable based on performance. During their first two years, they have the unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and experience through rotational assignments across the World Bank Group.
Additionally, YPs take part in a structured learning and talent development journey through our YP Academy. Key elements include technical and operations training, language programs, negotiation and business skills, and leadership development. YPs also receive one-on-one coaching, connect with mentors, and engage in strategy-focused dialogues with senior leaders.
The YPP does not offer a deferred entry, and you must be prepared to start full-time employment with the World Bank Group on September 8, 2025. An offer to join the YPP assumes a 5-year term contract at grade GF as an internationally recruited staff member (for some Country Office positions, locally recruited staff may be the default) that may be renewable based upon performance. The first two years are dedicated to rotational assignments as a YP at grade level GF (GF1 in IFC). If required, YPs and their dependents may be eligible for a G-type visa. YPs may be located in Washington, DC or any of the World Bank Group Country Offices, and must be prepared to relocate accordingly. Comprehensive benefits are included in the offer package.
Selection Criteria
• Demonstrated technical depth in a relevant work program as well as technical breadth, including relevant educational background, expertise and experience specific to the selected work program (applicants select a work program in the application)
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills: quantitative, qualitative, analytical, strategic; and sound business judgment
• Leadership potential, including accountability and results orientation, ability to influence and inspire results, and manage self, projects, people and results
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas and concepts in a clear and concise manner
• Flexibility and adaptability to working in complex multi-stakeholder and multi-cultural contexts
• Date of birth on or after October 1, 1992
• Nationality of a World Bank Group member country
• At least four (4) years of relevant professional experience following undergraduate studies
• Completion of a masters-level degree or equivalent in a relevant field, or a higher qualification in a relevant field, before September 1, 2025. If pursuing a doctorate, full-time doctoral research studies in a relevant field at an accredited institution may count towards the required work experience, and the degree must be substantially complete with all the written work submitted before September 1, 2025
• Excellent command of spoken and written English language (fluency in other languages might be advantageous to your application)
• Not a World Bank Group staff member (see the FAQs on the YPP website)
• Eligible under the employment eligibility policy (see the FAQs on the YPP website)
• Commitment to the World Bank Group’s mission and shared values
• Meets the World Bank Group core competencies
• Meets the additional qualification requirements specific to the selected work program as outlined in the application specific to that work program