WBG Young Professional
Position description
The World Bank Group’s Young Professionals Program (YPP) offers exceptional professionals from around the world the opportunity to apply their specialized technical expertise, broaden their experience, and contribute to solutions to some of the most pressing development challenges. Young Professionals (YPs) work across the World Bank, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID in support of our mission to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more than 60 years, this highly competitive program has selected outstanding professionals to contribute to the institution’s work and develop as future leaders in global development.
We seek candidates who demonstrate strong leadership potential, exceptional technical skills, and a clear commitment to our mission and values. As a YP, you will collaborate with colleagues across disciplines and institutions, applying your expertise to help address pressing development challenges and improve lives around the world.
YPs join the World Bank Group on an initial two-year term contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance. During this period, YPs complete three eight-month rotations: one with their primary function and area of expertise, one cross-institutional rotation, and at least one rotation based in a country office. These assignments enable YPs deepen their technical and operational knowledge while gaining experience across different areas of the institution.
Through the YP Academy, YPs undertake a structured learning and development journey that includes technical and operational training, language programs, negotiation and business skills, and leadership development. They also receive individual coaching, connect with mentors, and participate in strategic dialogues with senior leaders.
Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital and AI Vertical Vice Presidency, and its global and regional teams, support client countries in building their capacities for Digital and AI use. The WBG Digital and AI Vertical is led by a Vice President and was established in July 2024. Our work is anchored in the Digital and AI Strategy, which includes four pillars: access, affordability, ecosystem and AI readiness. The Digital and AI Strategy identifies the priorities that WBG will engage in over the next five years. The Vertical deploys a range of products, services, and partnerships to advance global knowledge across the four pillars of the Strategy through:
- Supporting WBG regions that provide financing to governments in the form of grants, loans, guarantees, and risk management products to support digital investment projects and implement policy reforms.
- Supporting WBG regions that provide advisory services including targeted policy guidance, technical assistance, and capacity building.
- Knowledge products including data and diagnostics to provide actionable insights at regional, country, and local levels, research and thought leadership to expand the global knowledge base, as well as thematic operational toolkits.
- Convening services that bring together key stakeholders, from both public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental organizations involved in advancing global digital transformation.
For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment
Qualifications
What You’ll Bring
- Minimum of a Master’s degree in a field related to this role.
- 2-6 years of relevant professional experience.
Digital Access
- Knowledge of digital connectivity policies, regulation, and institutional frameworks, supported by project or analytical experience.
- Understanding of broadband, fiber, mobile, satellite, cloud, compute infrastructure, and inclusive access models.
- Familiarity with affordability drivers, including devices, data costs, taxation, and sustainable access solutions.
- Knowledge of financing models, PPPs, private capital mobilization, and financial/business case analysis.
- Understanding of digital infrastructure regulation, market trends, and client needs.
Digital Public Infrastructure and Services
- Knowledge of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including digital ID, digital payments, secure data exchange, and related governance frameworks.
- Experience designing or improving digital services using citizen-centered and whole-of-government approaches.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills, including research, prototyping, and evaluation.
Data and Artificial Intelligence
- Understanding of AI readiness foundations, including connectivity, compute, data, and skills.
- Knowledge of AI adoption, responsible AI governance, and practical applications in development sectors.
- Familiarity with data governance, open data, privacy, and cross-border data frameworks.
- Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, including experience with analytical tools, machine learning, geospatial analysis, and data visualization.
- Ability to translate complex analytical findings into clear, actionable insights.
Digital Transformation Across Sectors
- Knowledge of policies, regulations, and institutions supporting digital transformation, including cybersecurity, privacy, competition, and technology sector development.
- Ability to apply digital and AI solutions across sectors such as health, education, agriculture, energy, transport, and public administration.
- Understanding of digital government, ICT systems, innovation ecosystems, digital skills initiatives, and private sector development.
- Experience conducting digital economy, government, and ICT sector assessments, including financial and business analyses.
Technical and Professional Skills
- Proven experience contributing to operations, analytical work, or advisory services within development organizations.
- Strong understanding of emerging digital technologies and digitally enabled business models.
- Ability to engage effectively with government counterparts and private sector stakeholders on digital and AI topics.
- Excellent written, presentation, and data visualization skills.
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
- Fluency in English. Proficiency in other languages may be an advantage.
Application instructions
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