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Who can apply to the YPP?

The World Bank Group’s Young Professionals Program (YPP) engages top global talent with distinctive technical skills and leadership potential – joining us from diverse backgrounds and from all over the world – to work across the World Bank, IFC and MIGA towards the mission of a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

To apply to the YPP, please ensure that you possess technical expertise and experience in the stream you select at the time of your application, as well as meet all the eligibility criteria:

• Nationality/ies of a World Bank Group member country as demonstrated by your officially issued passport or equivalent document.
• At least two (2) years of full-time work experience following successful completion of undergraduate studies (time spent in doctoral research studies, as well as part-time experience and internships in relevant streams may count towards the total work experience required).
• Completion of a masters-level degree and/or a higher qualification in a relevant field before September 1 of the year in which you start in the YPP.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English language (fluency in other languages might be advantageous to your application).
• You are not a World Bank Group staff member (staff holding term, open, ET, and ST appointments).
• If you are a WBG Intern, your appointment ends before September 30, 2025
• You must not be precluded from applying and/or joining by our employment eligibility policy.

Is there an age requirement for the WBG YPP?

There is no age requirement for the WBG YPP. However, the program is designed for early-career professionals, so candidates must have 2 to 6 years of relevant work experience to be eligible.

What can I expect in the YPP application and selection process?

Applications are open in September (late applications and off cycle applications will not be accepted) as indicated on our website and in the application form. The application and selection process and chances of success are substantially the same across any stream you choose to apply to but may have some variations depending on the stream selected.

Following a review of the applications, qualified candidates may be invited for an online assessment. Shortlisted candidates are then invited for an interview and assessment center. FAQs 7 to 15 describe these steps in more detail.

I currently work/perform services for the World Bank Group institutions. Can I apply to the YPP?

You must not hold a staff appointment (this includes term, open, short-term or extended-term consultancy and/or temporary appointment) at the World Bank Group starting with the date of your application. Current JPAs are eligible to apply to this cycle only; interns who complete their assignment by September 30 may apply.

What is the applicable employment eligibility policy?

Please note that applicants to the Young Professionals Program must disclose any Category I Relatives or Category II Relatives (Close Relatives) who perform services and/or work for the World Bank Group institutions (WBG). This applies to Close Relatives who perform services for the WBG under a WBG appointment or as an employee of a firm or vendor, and to the close relatives of Executive Directors, Alternate Executive Directors, Senior Advisors and/or Advisors to the Executive Director. Additionally, please note that the staff members are required to inform the Manager, HR Operations, when they learn that their Close Relative Category I or Category II relative (Close Relative) is working or applying for employment with the WBG.

Applications from those with Close Relatives in Category I – which includes by blood or adoption: Mother, Father, Son, Daughter, Sister, Half-sister, Brother, Half-brother, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, Nephew – will not be accepted and/or such applicants will not be considered eligible for employment at the WBG.

Applications from those with relatives in Category II which includes Close Relatives other than the ones described in the previous paragraph, including relatives by adoption and Domestic Partners of Close Relatives, may be eligible for employment provided that they are not applying to or assigned to the same division or equivalent unit, and neither supervises the other, directly or indirectly, and their duties are not likely to bring them into routine professional contact. Close Relatives in Category II include relatives like Daughter-in-law, Son-in-law, Sister-in-law, Brother-in-law, Mother-in-law, Father-in-law, Grandmother, Grandfather, Granddaughter, Grandson, Cousin; Step Relationships like Stepmother, Stepfather, Stepsister, Stepbrother, Stepdaughter, Stepson, Step-Aunt, Step-Uncle; Half Relationships like Half-Aunt, Half-Uncle, Half-Brother, Half-Sister, Half-Niece, Half-Nephew; and Domestic Relationships like Domestic Partners of Close Relatives including Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, Daughter, Son.

Is there anything I should be prepared to upload with my application?

Please have the following ready to upload:

Your CV/resume (ideally 1 page, and no longer than 2 pages) – ideally oriented to showcase your technical skills relevant to your selected stream

Passport page (or equivalent only if you do not currently hold an official passport) that helps confirm your birth date and primary nationality

Proof of degree(s) and/or enrollment letter(s) to confirm your post-graduate educational degrees and (expected) completion dates

Please do not upload any other documents that are not listed above.

What else should I expect to be able to respond to in my application?

While our work involves focus on global issues as well as our Regions (Africa, East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia), the YPs have distinctive technical skills in at least one of our streams. You will be asked to select a stream that best fits your educational and professional background, such as:

• Investment
• People – Education
• People – Health
• People – Social Protection
• Prosperity – Economic Policies
• Prosperity – Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation
• Prosperity – Institutions
• Prosperity – Poverty and Equity
• Planet – Agriculture
• Planet – Climate
• Planet – Environment
• Planet – Social
• Planet – Water
• Infrastructure – Energy and Extractives
• Infrastructure – Sustainable Infrastructure Finance
• Infrastructure – Transport
• Infrastructure – Urban Development
• Digital – Digital Transformation
• Legal
• Outcomes
• Information and Technology Solutions
• Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning

In the application form, selecting a stream outlines some of the qualifications which together with the stream descriptions provided on the respective webpages for each institution, unit or stream, provide guidance on what might be expected of the YP applicants specific to that stream selection in their candidacy for the YPP. You can preview the streams by visiting their respective web pages and reviewing the types of work done in each. Most of the information relevant to our streams – including operations, projects, analytical work, and research – is publicly accessible as the result of our open access to information policy. You will be asked to briefly (up to 250 words) outline your qualifications specific to the stream you selected.


In addition, you will be able to tell us more about your general and specific qualifications for the YPP in two short personal statements in answer to the prompts in the application form (each of up to 400 words). These prompts explore your motivation for joining us and help us learn more about how you think about and would approach some of the challenges and opportunities we look to address in our work and fulfilling our mission.

The stream I want to apply for is not listed. What can I do?

If your preferred stream is not currently advertised, we encourage you to apply by selecting the stream that most closely matches your background and career goals. You will also be able to indicate up to two alternative streams in your application. This flexibility ensures your profile is reviewed across multiple areas that align with your expertise and interests.

How should I decide which stream to apply for?

Review the streams available in this year’s application cycle and choose the one that best matches your skills and aspirations. Remember, you can also indicate two additional streams as alternatives. We encourage you to focus on the streams that are the strongest fit for your expertise and long-term goals to maximize your chances of success.

What happens after I submit my application?

All the complete applications that meet the eligibility criteria will be reviewed by a combination of the World Bank Group Human Resources and the staff members with technical expertise in your chosen stream. To be considered complete, an application must include responses to all the applicable questions, as well as uploads of the documents requested.

Candidates who are being considered for the next round of the YPP will be invited to participate in an on-demand video interview (on HireVue) as part of their assessment. They will also be required to participate in a leadership assessment. Please note, if you are invited to participate in these assessments, you will need to be present on the required dates. We will not be rescheduling or providing alternate dates.

Will I get interviewed?

At the conclusion of the selection process, a sub-set of applicants will be invited to a panel interview which will take place in Washington, DC, a country office, or online. Interview panels include technical experts specializing in the stream you selected, as well as senior staff members from around the World Bank Group, and an HR staff member. During the interview, which typically lasts about 45-50 minutes, you will be asked questions by the panel that let us assess your technical expertise and experience (technical depth and breadth), quantitative and qualitative thinking and problem-solving skills, motivation, as well as your commitment to our shared mission and values. The interviews typically take place in December and January, and we cover and arrange for your travel, accommodation and reasonable expenses.

What about other assessments?

In addition to the interview, you may be required to take part in an assessment online (e.g., an online test of the financial analysis skills for investment steam applicants) and/or an assessment center (e.g., a group-based assessment of a case study). A test is typically administered on a day separate from the interview day, while the assessment center is typically administered on the morning of your panel interview, preferably in person.

When are the offers issued?

Prospective Young Professionals (YPs) will be informed of our intent to offer them a place in the program in late January or early February.

What type of employment will I be offered if my application is successful?

We will offer you a 2-year staff appointment on a term contract (renewable for an additional 5 years, based on performance) at a GF- level, the terms and conditions of which may vary. Your offer letter will inform you of your salary and a comprehensive package of benefits.

Can I negotiate my salary and benefits?

No. Salary and benefits are determined based on pre-set criteria that apply to all prospective staff members.

I hear the program is competitive. What would increase my chances of success?

YPs tell us that one of the most important success factors is to make it straightforward for those reviewing your application to see you as a successful future YP in the World Bank Group, which starts with demonstrating your “fit” with your selected stream. The application form provides you with ample opportunities to tell us about your technical skills, demonstrate your expertise and experience, and outline your potential contributions to and motivation for joining the YPP. It is a good practice to illustrate your responses with compelling examples from your experience, background, and professional conduct to date.

If I am invited to take part in an assessment center, what would make me successful?

The assessment center takes about an hour, and consists of a group exercise (about 45 minutes) and a written reflection on that exercise (about 15 minutes). It is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to work well in teams and communicate well in verbal communications, and to be self-reflective and communicate well in written communications.

In the group exercise, you are provided with a premise – a brief “case study” from a World Bank Group report or project, which you then discuss with several other candidates as a team. At the end of your discussion, you make a joint presentation to a representative.

In the written reflection, you are given two prompts related to the group exercise to write about – in reviewing it, we look for the ability to write concise and structured communications, demonstrate a sound business judgment, and reflect on the work of your “team” as well as self-reflect on your part in the exercise.

If I am invited to take part in the interview, what would help make me successful?

The interview is an opportunity for a dialog. We would not advise that you consult or focus on prepared notes or other sources during the interview. If you are interviewing in person, we advise bringing only your submitted CV, a notepad, and a pen to the interview. If you are interviewing online, the advice is no different, except to check your connectivity before the interview starts – our team will be happy to help you do that.

You will be asked questions in your declared stream of technical specialty – experts in that stream will ask you about your work or a specific issue in that field, as well as related issues from the experts in other sectors. The interview helps us learn more about you, how you think, structure and solve problems, and assess your technical depth and breadth. We may ask you additional questions, such as the ones that help us assess your comfort with our ethical principles and shared values.

Do I need to provide references?

If you are considered for a YP role in the World Bank Group, we’ll assign a reference request form to you. You would need to fill in the contact details of your reference providers, and they will receive an email to submit their feedback. Please note we require 2 references.

Can I use any outside help or AI-enabled technology to help me in my application?

By submitting your application, you will be confirming that your responses and submissions are your own original work and that you have not used any unauthorized materials or external resources, including AI- based tools or chatbots, nor received assistance from any person or persons in completing your application. You will also acknowledge that the use of unauthorized materials, external resources, AI-based tools, and/or receiving the assistance from any person or persons, may result in the dismissal of your application or ineligibility for employment. We may check some or all responses for compliance.

Please provide complete and accurate answers to the questions asked. The application form is an opportunity for you to tell us about yourself and submit your original work.

There may be organizations and individuals that might purport to allegedly be able to help you prepare a successful application. There is no “insider knowledge” that isn’t directly accessible to you already on our websites and application portal. We would not advise you paying any fee to such organizations or individuals or otherwise entrusting your application to their advice.

What else should I be doing to prepare?

We appreciate your interest in the Young Professionals Program (YPP) and recognize a strong motivation to engage with the World Bank Group’s mission and work. If so, we encourage you to continue exploring our website and learning more about the World Bank Group’s diverse streams that align with your interests. The World Bank Group’s Access to Information policy enables broad public access to the information about our work, projects under preparation, projects under implementation, analytic and advisory activities, development data, world development reports, and strategy reports and proceedings. Our mission and values help you understand our motivation and how we work together, and our World Bank Group Scorecard helps you understand how we think about and measure our impact. Please explore and reflect upon the content you found of interest.

If I join the YPP, what type of professional and career development support can I expect to receive?

The World Bank Group offers the Young Professionals Academy (YP Academy), a cohort-based talent development program, to help facilitate integration and continued professional growth in the organization. The World Bank Group YP Academy is a structured learning and development curriculum that spans the first two years after you join as a YP. The development curriculum includes onboarding, language learning, business and leadership skills development, operational training, and mentoring.

In addition, in the first two years, YPs are required to undertake 3 mandatory rotations of 8 months structured as follows, with at least one rotation being country office-based:

Oct – May: rotation in primary job function of expertise

Jun – Jan: second functional rotation

Feb – Sep: cross-institutional rotation

These rotations aim to enhance business knowledge, build global perspective and networks, and enrich the YPs’ early career experience.

Beyond the YP Academy, YP Alumni can also grow their professional and career development through access to additional learning events to develop new connections, foster knowledge and innovation, and strengthen business and leadership skills.

Can I apply again if I have applied before?

You are welcome to reapply as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements. You might want to assess whether your application is likely to be competitive by ensuring that you have continued to develop professionally since the previous application. We do not advise reusing your prior responses (particularly if the prompts in the application form have changed).

If my application is successful, can I defer my start date?

The YPP includes cohort-based learning that is core to the program. We do not defer the start date.

Can I choose my location during the YPP?

While we are happy to work with you and your needs if applicable, if you apply to the program, we assume that you are willing and able to work and be located in any of our offices worldwide.

You haven’t answered my question on the website or in these FAQs. Where can I direct my question?

For technical issues with your application, please email hroperations@worldbank.org. Please note that we might not be able to assist you if your application is being submitted in the last few days before the deadline.

For the status of your application, please look for the emails from the program and/or visit the application portal.

For questions not answered in any other way, please email ypp@worldbankgroup.org. Please note that the large number of applications keeps the team very busy and that the team will do their best to answer your question if possible, when sent to that email. Due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to individual requests. Please visit our website, join and/or view recordings of our events, and review our FAQs and read the application form instructions carefully.

In case of any perceived inconsistency between any advice solicited and/or received from any source and the information on the World Bank Group Young Professionals Program official web pages that follow, the latter prevails.

Would you accept a late application?

No. Please plan to apply in advance of the deadline as no late submittals, applications submitted by email, or changes to the application will be accepted after the deadline.

What happens if I am not selected?

There are other ways to join the World Bank Group. Please visit our main Careers page to learn more and see open positions.

I require special accommodations. What can I do?

We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates. If you require support during the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to inform us. Support requests can be arranged at any stage of the process to ensure you have the opportunity to fully participate in the recruitment experience. Your request will be handled with confidentiality and respect, and per the applicable WBG policies and directives.  If you have specific needs or questions, please contact our recruitment team at ypp@worldbankgroup.org so we can assist you accordingly. The WBG does not guarantee, nor does it commit to provide, for all the requests for support; the requests will be evaluated individually, under the consideration they don’t impose a disproportionate or undue burden on the WBG.