Professional Role•USA · Washington D.C.

World Bank Group Young Professionals Program

Funding

Salary

Program dates

Sep 1, 2027

The World Bank Group Young Professionals Program (YPP) is the flagship leadership development initiative of the World Bank Group, encompassing the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA. It recruits highly talented early-career professionals to build technical expertise, gain international experience, and contribute to development projects addressing pressing global challenges. Selected candidates join at the GF level on a 2-year term appointment and complete three mandatory 8-month rotations across WBG institutions and country offices worldwide. The program is globally competitive, attracting thousands of applications from citizens of all 189 WBG member countries each year.

Benefits & funding

  • GF-level term appointment with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package (specific amounts determined at offer stage)
  • Travel, accommodation, and reasonable expenses covered for interview participation
  • Three mandatory 8-month rotations across WBG institutions, including at least one in a country office
  • 2-year Young Professionals Academy curriculum covering leadership, operations, language skills, and business fundamentals
  • Dedicated mentorship and coaching from senior WBG staff
  • Access to senior leadership networks and decision-making forums
  • Post-program alumni network and continued professional development opportunities

Eligibility

  • Citizenship of any World Bank Group member country (verified by official passport; 189 member countries, open globally)
  • Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, completed before the September start date
  • 2–6 years of professional experience in a relevant area (doctoral research substantially complete before September may count)
  • Excellent spoken and written English (mandatory; additional languages advantageous)
  • Cannot be a current WBG employee (term, open, short-term, or extended-term appointment)
  • No close relative in a Category I relationship working at WBG; Category II relatives eligible if in different divisions with no supervisory relationship
  • Willing and able to work in any WBG office worldwide

Application process

  1. 1
    Register on the WBG careers portal (worldbankgroup.csod.com) and submit your complete application between September 1–30, 2026
  2. 2
    Upload CV/resume (max 2 pages), passport photo page confirming birth date and nationality, and academic transcripts or enrollment letters
  3. 3
    Select a primary stream and up to 2 alternatives from 19+ focus areas; complete stream-specific qualifications (250 words) and two personal statements (400 words each)
  4. 4
    If longlisted (top ~10%): complete a HireVue video assessment, a standardized leadership assessment, and a stream-specific technical assessment
  5. 5
    If shortlisted: attend an assessment centre (group case study ~45 min and written reflection ~15 min) and a 45–50 minute panel interview with WBG experts and senior staff in Washington DC, Abidjan, Paris, or Bangkok
  6. 6
    Receive offer notification in late January to early February 2027; programme starts September 2027

Program timeline

  1. Application portal opens

    Sep 1, 2026

  2. Application deadline (11:59 PM UTC — no late applications accepted)

    Sep 30, 2026

  3. Application review; top ~10% longlisted

    Oct 1, 2026 to Oct 15, 2026

  4. Virtual assessments (HireVue video, leadership, technical)

    Oct 15, 2026 to Oct 31, 2026

  5. Panel interviews in Washington DC, Abidjan, Paris, and Bangkok

    2026-12 to 2027-01

  6. Offer notifications

    2027-01 to 2027-02

  7. Programme begins

    2027-09