World Bank Young Professionals Program

The window to apply for the World Bank’s 2008 Young Professionals Program runs from May 1, 2007 until July 15, 2007. 

 

Only those who already have received a Master’s degree or equivalent at the time they are applying can apply for the 2008 YP Class.

 

            In order to apply, please go to the World Bank’s website at:  http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTHRJOBS/0,,contentMDK:20519717~menuPK:1477630~pagePK:64262408~piPK:64262191~theSitePK:1058433,00.html and follow the instructions.  More details about the YP Program can also be found there.

 

To be eligible, candidates must:

 

·         Be a citizen of a member country of the World Bank (see http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTABOUTUS/0,,contentMDK:20122865~menuPK:329834~pagePK:51123644~piPK:329829~theSitePK:29708,00.html for a list of member countries).

 

·         Have obtained a Master’s degree (or equivalent) at the time of submitting your application and specialize in a field relevant to the World Bank’s operations such as economics, finance, education, public health, social sciences, engineering, urban planning, and natural resource management, or a related field.

 

·         Be 32 years of age or younger in September 2008 (born on or after September 30, 1975).

 

·         Be fluent in English.

 

·         Have significant relevant professional experience (preferably in a developing country) or continued academic study at the doctoral level.

 

·         Have speaking proficiency in Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish or other languages relevant to developing countries.

 

The Program looks for five main characteristics when recruiting Young Professionals:

 

1.      Strong analytical skills, demonstrated by academic success and professional achievements.

2.      Flexibility and the capacity to work in different parts of the organization.

 

3.      Enthusiasm for, and a commitment to development work.

 

4.      Maturity, combined with tact and diplomacy.

5.      Interpersonal and communication skills for working in an international organization.

The Program provides the opportunity for professional development through on-the-job experience and exposure to the Bank Group’s operations and policies. Each year, about 30 candidates are accepted into the Program. Since 1963, the Program has hired more than 1,000 Young Professionals from nearly 90 countries. Two-thirds of them still work in the organization.

 

Young Professionals start with two rotational assignments in different departments, totaling between 12 to 18 months –experiences that provide a broad overview of the Bank Group’s work. Treated as full-fledged staff members with specific responsibilities, the Young Professionals are expected to make significant contributions to the work program of their departments. Each rotational assignment normally involves at least one field trip. Incoming YPs who have not had extensive field experience are also encouraged to participate in an immersion program in a village or urban slum soon after entry into the Bank.

 

            Competition is intense, with about 10,000 applications received for each year’s 30 or so positions. Most of the candidates exceed the minimum criteria. Young Professionals are on average 31 years of age, and those with Master’s degrees typically have an average of five and a half years work experience in areas relevant to the Bank Group’s operations.   Those with a Ph.D. average four and a half years work experience.  Most of the candidates are familiar with issues facing developing countries because of work experience, focused study, or extended periods living and traveling in developing countries.

 

Applicants must first submit a resume in English. Based on this information – and in some cases preliminary interviews – about 800 candidates are asked to submit detailed application packages which include academic transcripts, and, references. About 130 candidates are then selected for final interviews with senior Bank Group staff in November and January of each year. Based on these interviews, appointment offers are normally made in March, with candidates expected to join the Program in September. Those selected must meet the high standards of professional competence demanded of all Bank Group staff. There are no quotas. However, the Bank is committed to diversity and welcomes qualified women and men to apply representing a wide range of nationalities, skills as well as schools.