Diversity, global mobility and international experience are elements in a young professional’s work routine. Therefore, it is strategic for the World Bank YPP to ensure international coverage in its selection process.

Candidates should possess nationality of a World Bank Group member country as demonstrated by their officially issued passport or equivalent document. 

A criterion that defines a candidate’s eligibility for the Young Professionals Program is holding a graduate level degree (Master’s or doctorate (PhD) in areas relevant to the Bank, completed before the September start date. In other words, holding a first-level university degree is not sufficient and s/he should have also obtained a Master’s (MSc) or MBA qualification, as a minimum, on application.

Further relevant information on this requirement is:

• The area of study for the Master’s and doctorate do not have to be the same;
• The Bank confirms that it does not have an a priori preference for candidates who hold a doctorate to the detriment of those who hold a Master’s and relevant work experience;
• The WB YPP considers face-to-face or distance qualifications from any university recognized by one’s national government to be valid. In addition, Master’s programs which do not require a final project (such as a dissertation or thesis) are also valid, as well as doctorates with no coursework.
• If the candidate is invited to start work and is still undertaking a doctorate program, the qualification must be completed while s/he works at the Bank.
• Having taken a Master’s program is not required to achieve a doctorate qualification in a number of countries;
• It is emphasized that information suggesting that only professionals with Ivy League academic qualifications are employed is erroneous. Professionals with qualifications awarded by a broad range of universities are selected by the WB YPP.

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Candidates must have 2 to 6 years of professional experience in related work area. If you are 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 start date.

This requirement, specifically related to relevant professional experience, raises a number of queries, which we seek to clarify here:

• Relevant work experience includes any professional activity which is related to international development and public policies. In other words, work in the field of economics, public policies, analysis of public policies or in sectors, such as agriculture, climate change, education, energy, gender, finance, environmental resources, public health, poverty, water, transport, public-private partnerships, development of the private sector, social protection and the World Bank’s other areas of activity;
• For the financial stream, professional experience in areas such as finance, international law, political risk insurance and credit enhancement, project/program development, private equity, economic development and/or consulting might be expected;
• The following, among others, can be considered professional experience: internships, part-time work, temporary work, voluntary work, full-time work, consultancy, teaching and research;
• Experience at government organizations, in the private sector, at non-governmental organizations and other inter-governmental organizations is relevant;
• Work performed both in the field and the office is considered, as long as it is related to areas relevant to international development;
• The length of relevant professional experience should be counted considering intermittent experience. In other words, non-continuous professional experience can be added together. For example, imagine that you worked for 24 consecutive months (in an internship) in 2014 and 2015 but you only worked for the first six months of 2016 (as a volunteer at a NGO) and only the last six months of 2017 (as a government consultant). In this case, you have three years’ relevant professional experience and meet the minimum requirement;
• Your professional experience does not need to be in a developing country. However, professional experience in developing countries is an advantage.

Do you want to make sure your professional experience section is a fit with the WBG’s strategies and policies?

Then check out our application review service:

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The WBG’s work focuses on reducing extreme poverty in developing countries. Therefore, the YPs will frequently carry out field work in these regions. For this reason, professional experience in these regions, with topics related to international development, is considered a competitive differential on the WB YPP candidates’ curriculum vitae. This is not a mandatory requirement but a desired differential.

Work experience abroad is an excellent opportunity to learn new languages, develop intercultural skills and leave your comfort zone; it presents you with new challenges and is also a form of practical learning. The experience in developing countries sought by the WBG refers to real life activities in these locations, with issues related to the different international development topics covered by the World Bank. This may be part-time or full-time work, internships or volunteering with government, non-governmental organizations or companies.