WBG Young Professional

Job #: req38192
Organization: World Bank Group
Sector: Other
Grade: GF
Term Duration:  2 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

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.
Tourism is one of the world's largest economic sectors, accounting for approximately 10% of global GDP and one in ten jobs worldwide. For many developing economies, tourism represents a critical driver of foreign exchange earnings, employment, and inclusive growth. The World Bank Group's Tourism Solutions and Impact Unit works at the forefront of global efforts to harness tourism as a vehicle for sustainable development, supporting client countries through lending operations, advisory services, analytics, and knowledge generation.
The unit is currently implementing an ambitious agenda aligned with the WBG Tourism Strategy, which includes the development of a new Tourism Knowledge Hub, a suite of diagnostic and investment tools, and a global network of tourism practitioners. As the Unit scales its knowledge and operational offering, it seeks a dynamic and skilled candidate to provide cross-cutting support across its core workstreams.
What you will deliver
You will provide cross-cutting analytical, technical, and operational support to the Tourism Solutions and Impact Unit, with a particular focus on knowledge management, data systems, tool development, and capacity building. The placement is designed to offer a high-impact learning experience while delivering substantive contributions to the Unit's strategic priorities.
  • Tourism Knowledge Hub: Serve as a core contributor to the establishment and operationalisation of the new WBG Tourism Knowledge Hub. This includes supporting the curation, organisation, and dissemination of tourism knowledge products; contributing to content development; and helping design user-friendly platforms and workflows that enable staff, clients, and partners to access and apply the Bank's accumulated tourism expertise.
  • Jobs Methodology and Calculations for Tourism Projects: Contribute to the development and refinement of the "more and better jobs" methodology as applied to tourism operations. This includes reviewing existing approaches to tourism employment measurement, engaging with relevant global frameworks, and supporting teams in applying standardised job-quality and quantity metrics across tourism lending and advisory projects. Outputs may include technical notes, calculation tools, and guidance documents.
  • Aviation Data Systems: Work with relevant internal and external teams to support the development and improvement of systems for collecting, processing, and analysing aviation data. This includes mapping existing data sources, identifying gaps, and supporting the integration of aviation connectivity data into tourism diagnostics and project design. Strong analytical and data management skills will be essential for this workstream.
  • Tourism Diagnostic Tool Implementation: Play an active role in supporting the rollout and implementation of the new WBG Tourism Diagnostic Tool across client countries and project teams. Responsibilities include coordinating with country teams, consolidating pilot feedback, preparing user guidance materials, and helping refine the tool based on operational experience. You will act as a key liaison between tool developers and end users.
  • Digital Skills and Innovation in Tourism Tools: Contribute digital expertise and innovative thinking to the development of tourism-related tools and platforms. This may include exploring the application of emerging technologies — including AI, geospatial analysis, and data visualisation — to tourism analytics and diagnostics, and supporting the prototyping of new digital products that enhance the Unit's advisory and operational offering.
  • Innovative Toolkits for WBG Tourism Strategy Implementation: Support the design and development of practical toolkits to help client governments and project teams implement the WBG Tourism Strategy. This includes conducting desk research, synthesising good practice from within and outside the Bank, structuring content for diverse audiences, and preparing user-ready materials in accessible formats.
  • Skills Platforms for WBG Tourism Practitioners: Contribute to the development and delivery of learning and skills platforms designed to build the capacity of WBG tourism practitioners. This may include supporting e-learning content development, coordinating knowledge-sharing events, and helping design peer learning structures or communities of practice that strengthen the tourism practitioner network across the Bank Group.
  • Tourism International Conference Support: Provide logistical and substantive support to the planning and implementation of the Unit's international conference on tourism. Responsibilities may include coordinating with speakers and participants, preparing background materials and session notes, supporting communications and outreach, and contributing to post-conference knowledge products and follow-up actions.
  • Sustainable Tourism Principles in Investment Opportunities: Support the integration of sustainable tourism principles — including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations — into the identification and structuring of investment opportunities. This includes reviewing and applying relevant sustainability frameworks, conducting background research on specific investment contexts, and helping teams develop guidance on embedding sustainability standards in tourism lending and IFC operations.
  • Regional Demand for Tourism Expertise and Analysis: Assist tourism experts in responding to regional demand for technical assistance, analysis, and advisory services. This includes supporting the preparation of analytical notes, policy briefs, country assessments, and responses to ad hoc requests from regional teams and government counterparts. You will be expected to work across multiple geographies and adapt outputs to the specific development context of each region.

What you will bring
  • Minimum of a master's degree in tourism management, economics, development studies, urban planning, environmental studies, or a related field.
  • 2-6 years of relevant professional experience in tourism, development finance, research, or a related sector.
  • Experience in international development or with a multilateral institution is an advantage.
  • Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Python, R, Stata, or equivalent).
  • Demonstrated interest or experience in digital tool development, data visualisation, or platform design.
  • Familiarity with tourism economics, employment measurement, or sustainability frameworks is highly desirable.
  • Experience with knowledge management or learning platform development is an asset.
  • Fluency in English; proficiency in additional languages is an advantage.
  • Proven ability to work across diverse teams and geographies in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent workstreams.
  • Creative and innovative thinker with a genuine interest in applying technology to development challenges.

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.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.