Working at the World Bank Group is a dream for millions of professionals dedicated to international development. If you are someone who wishes to start an international career at the World Bank Group, first of all, it is essential that you know about all the different job possibilities and careers that the Bank offers.

The OpenIGO network has developed the eBooks: The World Bank Group YPP – The Essential Guide; The World Bank Internships: The Complete Guide; and more recently The World Bank Group Jobs and Careers. These eBooks bring together all the information you need to successfully land a job at the World Bank Group! To know more about them, access our online store:

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In addition to the wide range of job vacancies listed on the WBG Jobs system, the organizations that form the World Bank Group also have specific selection programs for some of their positions. In this article, we will present a brief overview of each one of these recruitment initiatives.

1. World Bank Internship Program

For those interested in starting or expanding their international careers while studying for a Master’s program or Doctorate, this program is a great option. The aim of the World Bank Internship Program is to train and provide experience to young graduate students. Besides, it is a good way of learning about the World Bank’s complex structure and work!

The WB Internship Program selects candidates for operational areas (economics, finance, public health, education, and social sciences, among others) and corporate support (accounting, communications, human resources, information technology, treasury and other corporate services). There are two selection periods for this program:

• Summer Internship (May – September): with applications between December 1 and January 31;
• Winter Internship (November – March): with applications between October 1 and 31.

To be eligible for the program, you must:

• Be enrolled in a Master’s or Doctorate program, with plans of returning to this graduate program following completion of the internship;
• Be proficient in English. Knowledge of another World Bank official language is an advantage;
• Be a national of a Member State.

Applications to this program must be submitted online, through the organization’s website. You must fill out an online application form, as well as upload your CV, Statement of Interest, and proof of enrollment in a Master’s or Doctorate program.

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2. World Bank Group Young Professionals Program (WBG YPP)

If you have a strong desire to work in the area of international development and hold a Master’s or doctorate qualification, as well as relevant professional experience in a co-related field, the WBG YPP might be the ideal program for you. The WBG YPP is a program designed to select highly qualified young professionals who have technical knowledge, relevant work experience, and leadership skills, from different cultural backgrounds.

Being one of the career possibilities at the World Bank Group, the WBG YPP is the Bank’s most prestigious program, with those selected allocated to work in the organization’s operational areas. Applications for the program usually open in two periods. Here is the timeline for the 2020 WBG YPP. Candidates can expect something similar for future programs:

• Between June 1 and 31 – applications are open for candidates who fulfill the requirements for all three institutions;
• Between August 17 and September 21 – applications re-open for candidates who fulfill the application requirements for IFC and MIGA and did not apply in June.

The minimum requirements to take part in this program are:

• Be born on or after October 1, 1988;
• Fluency in English;
• Have a Master’s or doctoral degree and specialize in a field relevant to YPP Business Areas*;
• Although nationals from any country can apply, preference is given to those of WBG member states or countries of operations.

*There are specific requirements to be observed by those who wish to apply for a position with the WB, IFC or MIGA in relation to educational level and work experience:

For candidates interested in the WB placement, these requirements are:

• Complete a relevant master’s degree by June 30 of the selection year or PhD before September of the upcoming year;
• Demonstrate 3+ years of relevant experience, or the equivalent in continued study at the doctoral level.

For those interested in the IFC or MIGA placement, these requirements are:

• Complete a relevant graduate degree (e.g. Master’s in Business Administration, Economics, International Relations, Science, and Engineering) before September of the upcoming year;
• Demonstrate 4+ years of relevant experience in finance, political risk insurance and credit enhancement, project/program development, economic development and/or consulting. Certifications such as the CFA are a plus.

Applications to this program must be submitted online, through the organization’s website. You must fill out an online application form, as well as upload the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae;
• Course certificates;
• Abstract of dissertation/thesis;
• 2 application essays.

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In order to help you prepare for the program, OpenIGO has developed a special eBook for candidates, “The World Bank Group Young Professionals Program – The Essential Guide”, which seeks to help you prepare for all the program stages. Special services, such as application review and a mock interview are also offered.

3. WBG Analyst Program

Another important career possibilities at the World Bank Group is its Analyst Program, which selects young professionals to work for two years in a specific practice, region, or corporate unit in the World Bank Group. The activities you can carry out as an analyst include management and data analysis, research, project management, communications, finance, among others.

To apply for this program, you must meet the following requirements:

• Citizenship of a World Bank Group member country;
• Passion to contribute to the World Bank Group mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity;
• Maximum age of 28;
• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field;
• One to three years of relevant work experience in one or more specialty areas;
• Analytical thinking, proven academic success, strong written and oral communication skills, and leadership potential;
• Experience working or studying in developing countries is preferred;
• Fluency in English is required. Fluency or proficiency in other languages, particularly Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish, or Russian, is preferred.

Please be aware that applications for this program open according to demand. In other words, this program is not available every year.

4. IFC Summer Internship Program

This is the perfect opportunity for students in their first or second-to-last year of an MBA or similar program. Applications are usually open from December to mid-January. The IFC receives approximately 1500 applications each year, from which 30 to 40 candidates are selected. Successful candidates may work at the IFC headquarters in Washington D.C., or at one of its national or regional offices.

Business development, investment proposal reviews, financial modeling and analysis, portfolio management and consultancy services are some of the assignments interns might take on during the program.

To apply for the program, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Strong interest in and commitment to impact investing and sustainable private sector solutions;
• Work experience (3-6 years) in finance, which could include investment banking, project finance, corporate finance, consulting, private equity, credit analysis, commercial banking, and/or portfolio management;
• Knowledge of sectors relevant to IFC and emerging markets experience preferred;
• Strong analytical, quantitative, communication and negotiation skills;
• Business development and client relationship skills;
• Enthusiasm for working in multicultural teams and across borders;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English; proficiency in one or more other languages including Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish strongly preferred.

The IFC internship is a remunerated program, and takes place between May and September, lasting a minimum of four months.

5. ICSID Internship

The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) is a World Bank agency dedicated to resolving conflicts related to international investments in member countries. This is the ideal WBG body for anyone who has an academic and professional profile in the legal field. The aim of this internship program is to contribute towards the professional development of students who show an interest in international investment dispute settlement and international investment law.

Internships last for a minimum period of 12 weeks, and interns must work for a minimum of 10 (ten) hours per week. Interns are assigned to work at the ICSID headquarters in Washington, D.C.

The minimum requirements to apply to this program are:

• Be enrolled in a graduate program;
• Be able to provide written confirmation stating that you will either: (i) obtain academic credit for at least one term/semester in a course of study; or (ii) will be provided with a stipend by your university for the duration of the internship;
• Have or be able to obtain an F1 or G4 visa, or be a U.S. citizen or resident (Green Card holders), and
• Be able to cover the costs of travel, accommodation, and living expenses in Washington, D.C.
• Satisfy the requirements of your university for an internship

Additionally, candidates must meet other requirements such as:

• A demonstrated interest and knowledge of investor-State dispute settlement and international investment law;
• Rising 3L, LLM or Ph.D. student;
• Fluency in English and preferably in at least one of the other two official languages of ICSID (i.e., French and Spanish);
• Ability to conduct research on a range of issues in the fields of arbitration and investment law;
• Strong writing and legal drafting skills.

The internships take place annually in three different periods:

1. January-April;
2. May-August, and
3. September-December.

To apply, you must complete the form available on the ICSID website, attaching a CV and proof of enrollment in a graduation course (Master’s or doctorate). Documents should then be sent to the following e-mail: icsidinternship@worldbank.org.

Here are the usual application deadlines:

• June 15 for the September-December Internship period (fall semester);
• November 15 for the January-April Internship period (spring semester); and
• January 15 for the May-August Internship period (summer semester).

This article filled with the career possibilities at the World Bank Group is just a small sample of the information covered by our comprehensive eBook – The World Bank Group Jobs and Careers – which is made up of 11 chapters and was carefully prepared to help you achieve your dream of becoming an international civil servant with the World Bank Group. We also offer a range of packages that combine our eBooks with different services.

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