Inter-American Development Bank Young Professionals Program
IDB’s Young Professionals Program is a 2-year program that can often lead to a full-time, regular staff position. Participants may be working in the headquarters in Washington, DC or in one of the Country Offices. IDB pays for transportation for interviews, as well as the actual employment period. The 2-year program consists of 2 departmental rotations—the first is chosen by IDB based on needs and the candidate’s skills, and the second is decided upon by an agreement between the participant and IDB based on their preferences and IDB’s needs. Young Professionals receive training and orientation sessions, including language and technical training. Each participant is also assigned to a mentor, who is a senior staff member, in order to maximize the experience.
In order to be eligible for this program, applicants must be a citizen of one of IDB’s member countries. They must also be 32 years of age or younger and fluent in both English and Spanish with a working knowledge of either French or Portuguese. Applicants must have a Master’s degree or equivalent plus two or more years of professional experience in a field relevant to international development. Additionally, they must be exempt from any military obligation during the program period. Applicants who are Afro-descendant or Indigenous have additional allowances, including a maximum age of 35 and fluency in only one IDB official language and working knowledge of another.
African Development Bank Group Young Professionals Program
AfDB’s Young Professionals Program is a 3-year program offered to limited number of candidates, determined each year. The program is divided into 6-month batches, allowing participants to experience and work in various departments and areas of AfDB’s organization. Young Professionals get hands-on experience in AfDB projects and work alongside experts, who deliver training and leadership development. Participants will be working on projects related to AfDB’s primary goals which are power systems development, hunger/agriculture, economic integration, industrialization, and human/social development. The YPP offers coaching, mentoring and sponsoring, a “buddy-system” with previous cohorts, a coordination team for the YPP participants, and a YPP liaison team to act as representatives to the HR department.
Applicants must be citizens of a regional or non-regional AfDB member country to be eligible for the Young Professionals Program. They also must be 32 years of age or younger, have a Master’s degree or equivalent in a field relevant to international development, and have at least three years of work experience in areas related to their priority goal areas. AfDB is also looking for candidates who have hands-on experience in African countries or in other developing countries, as well as a passion for African development and strong leadership/teamwork skills. They are also looking for people with analytical, entrepreneurial, business, and digital/technological skills. Applicants should be fluent in either English or French and must be willing to live in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire and travel to various country assignments.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Young Professionals Program
ADB’s Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a 3-year program for highly qualified professionals interested in working with ADB. Participants are initially assigned to an operational department and then rotate to other departments as part of 12-month assignments. This program is meant to develop expertise and broaden their perspectives with regards to the various aspects of the organization’s work. Participants can participate in activities such as fact finding and appraisal, project review and completion, country programming, sector and policy studies, or disbursement. Participants work with their supervisors to set up a professional plan which identifies learning programs meant to improve their technical skills and teach them about ADB’s operations.
Applicants must be 32 years or younger, have a degree in a relevant field, and have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience. They must also be a national of one of ADB’s member countries, be fluent in English, and be able to work in a multicultural environment.
