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Applications are now open for the World Bank Group Young Professionals Program 2026 for West African Young Master’s Graduates
The World Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP) is an excellent starting point for a fulfilling career at the World Bank Group. This program recruits talented young professionals from around the world with diverse academic and professional backgrounds.
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The YPP is a pathway for future leaders to contribute to global development challenges across the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). If you’re considering an international career, you might find these top 10 reasons to study your masters abroad helpful.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the program’s details, requirements, benefits, and a step-by-step guide on how to apply.
Program Details
The World Bank and IFC have merged their respective Young Professionals Programs to create a single, unified World Bank Group Young Professionals Program (WBG YPP). This new program recruits on behalf of three key institutions and aims to develop future leaders who can collaborate effectively on joint solutions to development challenges. Before you embark on this journey, consider these top 10 questions to help you decide if studying abroad is right for you.
The program recruits qualified individuals from diverse professional, academic, and cultural backgrounds, with a preference for nationals of World Bank member countries and countries where they have operations. If you are invited to join the YPP, you will be offered a 2-year term contract as a mid-career staff member. This can be followed by a renewable 5-year contract based on your performance.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be considered for the World Bank Group Young Professionals Program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Nationality: Be a national of a World Bank Group member country.
- Education: Hold a master’s degree or an equivalent qualification in a relevant field, or a higher degree. Your degree must be completed before September 1, 2026. If you are pursuing a doctorate, your full-time research may count toward work experience, and the written work must be submitted by the same date.
- Experience: Have a minimum of 2 to 6 years of professional work experience.
- Language: Demonstrate an excellent command of spoken and written English. Fluency in other languages is considered an advantage.
- Employment Status: Not be a current World Bank Group staff member, with the exception of Job Placements Assistants (JPAs) and former interns whose appointments ended on or before September 30, 2025.
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Program Benefits
The World Bank Group Young Professionals Program offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package as part of its term contract. These benefits include health, life, and accident insurance, a pension plan, and potential relocation and mobility benefits, depending on the World Bank Group’s guidelines. For international students, knowing the best student accommodation tips for moving abroad can be incredibly useful.
Required Documents
Before starting your application, ensure you have the following documents ready:
- CV/Resume: A resume, ideally no longer than two pages.
- Passport: A copy of the photo page of your passport to confirm your birth date and primary nationality.
- Transcripts: Your official academic transcripts or enrollment letters to verify your postgraduate degrees and their expected completion dates.
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How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
All applications must be submitted through the official World Bank Group’s website. Please follow these steps carefully:
- Visit the official World Bank Group application webpage through the provided link below.
- Click on the APPLY button and submit your application for the program. You can also review this guide on how to apply for scholarships successfully.
- The application portal is open from September 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025, at 11:59 UTC. Late applications will not be considered.
- Make sure your work program selection is strongly supported by your skills, education, and experience.
Successful candidates can expect to be invited for interviews and assessments between December 2025 and January 2026. The final selected candidates will be informed in late January 2026.
Application Deadline: 30th September, 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the World Bank Young Professionals Program (YPP)? The YPP is a premier program for young professionals to start a career at the World Bank, IFC, and MIGA, designed to develop future leaders in international development.
Who is eligible to apply for the YPP? The program is open to nationals of a World Bank Group member country who have a master’s degree and 2-6 years of professional experience.
What are the academic requirements for the program? Applicants must have a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field, with all written work submitted before September 1, 2026.
Is a PhD required to apply? No, a master’s degree is the minimum requirement. However, full-time doctoral research can count toward the required work experience.
What are the benefits of the YPP? The program offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including health insurance, a pension plan, and potential relocation benefits.
What is the application deadline? The application portal is open from September 1, 2025, and closes on September 30, 2025.
What documents are required for the application? You need to submit your CV/resume, a copy of your passport’s photo page, and your academic transcripts or enrollment letters.
How long is the initial contract for a Young Professional? The initial contract is a 2-year term, which may be followed by a renewable 5-year contract based on performance.
Can current World Bank Group staff apply for the program? Generally, no. However, Job Placements Assistants (JPAs) and former interns are eligible to apply.
When will I be notified if I am selected for an interview? Successful candidates are typically invited for interviews and assessments between December 2025 and January 2026.
