WBG Young Professional

WBG Young Professional

Are you ready for a career with a lasting impact?

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.

The Urban, Resilience and Land (URL) team supports countries in harnessing the power of urbanization to drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve quality of life while strengthening resilience to climate change and disasters. The team works across urban infrastructure, disaster risk management, climate resilience, land, and local government systems to help cities manage growth, deliver essential services, attract investment, and protect people and assets from natural hazards. Through a combination of financing, technical assistance, and policy engagement, The URL team helps build cities that are more resilient, inclusive, low-carbon, and economically competitive. 

What You’ll Deliver 

• Support lending operations, technical assistance, and advisory work that help cities deliver resilient infrastructure, strengthen local government capacity, and improve urban service delivery. 
• Provide technical and engineering inputs to the preparation and implementation of urban infrastructure, climate resilience, and disaster risk management projects, with particular attention to infrastructure quality, sustainability, and resilience. 
• Contribute to analytical work and policy dialogue on urbanization, municipal infrastructure, disaster resilience, and infrastructure investment planning, including opportunities to mobilize public and private finance. 
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and government counterparts to develop innovative solutions that promote livable, resilient, and economically competitive cities.

What You’ll Bring

• Minimum of a master’s degree in civil/municipal/environmental engineering
• 2–6 years of relevant professional experience  
• Strong technical and engineering skills in urban infrastructure, resilience, and disaster risk management, with demonstrated experience in the planning, design, or implementation of complex infrastructure projects. Knowledge of municipal infrastructure financing, subnational finance, or infrastructure investment planning would be an asset. 
• Demonstrated interest in development work and the World Bank Group’s mission 
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to work effectively in diverse, team-based environments 
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines 
• Proficiency in English; fluency in additional languages is considered an advantage

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking – Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability – Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.