What Does the Young Professionals Program Offer?

Those selected to the Program spend 24 months as Young Professionals before they are confirmed into a regular position in the World Bank.

• Professional Experience
• Training Opportunities
• Mentoring, Coaching & Support
• Compensation & Benefits

Professional Experience

Initial Assignment: Young Professionals will take a two-year initial assignment which may/may not span over more than one unit in the World Bank, where they gain valuable on-the-job experience. They are a member of a team, where they are expected to make significant contributions towards the unit's work program while they gain a broad overview of the World Bank's policies and work.

International Travel: Young Professionals generally participate in several trips to developing countries during their assignment, which is an important aspect of our work. These trips present opportunities to experience first hand the challenges of development and also familiarize Young Professionals with the World Bank's clients.

Training Opportunities

Young Professionals Orientation: Young Professionals participate in a specially designed orientation where they become familiar with the operations of the World Bank so that they can integrate into their work teams smoothly and efficiently.

Individual Training Opportunities: Young Professionals have the opportunity to participate in a multitude of training activities organized within the institution as well as seminars offered outside the World Bank.

Young Professional Discussions: A series of discussions are organized for Young Professionals around the procedures, policies, and business culture of the World Bank. Topics cover subjects such as "Integrating into World Bank Teams", "The World Bank's Business Directions" and "Performance and Feedback".

Mentoring, Coaching & Support

Peer Mentors: Young Professionals are assigned a peer mentor from the previous year's group, based on their professional interests and cultural background. Peer mentors can be valuable in helping new recruits better understand the expectations and challenges of the Program.

Young Professionals Program Office: The Office is dedicated to recruiting and helping integrate Young Professionals into the World Bank. It is led by an a Program Manager (a former Young Professional) who coordinates various activities designed to support Young Professionals, including mentoring them, helping formulate career strategies, and representing them with institutional management. The office is a one-stop-shop for Young Professionals looking for support and guidance.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: As entry-level professional in the World Bank, each Young Professional receives an internationally competitive salary based on their education and professional experience.

Health, Life, Accident and Other Insurance Programs: Young Professionals and their family including domestic partners may choose from three comprehensive medical/dental benefit plans available, with no preexisting condition exclusions if enrollment is within 31 days of entry-on-duty. The World Bank also provides basic life and accident insurance to all staff at no cost, and staff can also elect optional life and accident insurance plans. The World Bank also provides disability and Worker's Compensation coverage to staff at no cost.

Pension Plan: The World Bank sponsors a comprehensive pension plan for all staff. Both staff and the World Bank make a contribution towards a pension which is utilized upon retirement.

Paid Leave: New staff receive 26 days of annual leave and 15 days of sick leave per year, accrued daily.

Relocation Benefits on Appointment: These benefits are only applicable to staff who are not residents of the Greater Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area at the time of appointment.

Relocation Travel: The World Bank will bear the cost of one-way transportation of staff and immediate dependent family from the staff member's residence.

Relocation Shipment: You may choose to have the World Bank handle your shipping arrangements, or you may elect the Optional Shipment Grant.

Relocation Grant: A one-time grant is included in the first paycheck to cover the cost of relocation.

Mobility Premium: A financial benefit is provided for a fixed period of time to cover expenses associated with being an expatriate staff member, based on family size and nationality. This benefit is not available for United States citizens and U.S. permanent residents who are based in Washington DC.

Tax Allowance: U.S. staff receive an additional quarterly payment to cover the U.S., state and local income tax liabilities on their World Bank income. Expatriates and U.S. permanent residents do not incur U.S. income tax liability and are thus not eligible for this benefit.

Financial Assistance: The World Bank Group offers several financial assistance program, including a two-year interest-free settling-in loan to those who relocate upon appointment.

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