Young Professional Programmes

Several organisations, including the UN, World Bank, and IMF, recruit high calibre graduates to take part in their young professional programmes.  The exact entry requirements vary by organisation, but applicants must typically be aged 34 years or younger, and some organisations require a masters degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

United Nations

The UN runs annual competitions for its Young Professionals Programme.  The programme is open to nationals of countries who are currently under-represented within the UN.  UK nationals are eligible to apply.  The Programme recruits professionals in different specialist areas, which vary each year.  In 2010 these included administration, economics, statistics, human rights, legal affairs, radio producer, demography, web design/development, and security.

Applicants should be 32 years or younger (by the end of the exam year); hold at least a first-level university degree, such as a bachelor’s or other undergraduate degree, in one of the job families offered for that year. Be fluent in either English or French.
The specialist areas are usually announced by the UN in the early summer.  Candidates who pass the initial sift are invited to participate in the examinations, which typically take place in December.  The final stage is an interview.

Application for the annual examination is online. Successful candidates will be appointed for two years and then be reviewed for a continuing appointment. 

For more information on UN Young Professional Programme

World Bank

Young Professionals Program
Every year, around 30 candidates are accepted into the Young Professionals Program, a two year entry level employment opportunity. Applicants should be 32 years of age or younger, have a master’s degree or equivalent and be fluent in English. Full proficiency in one or more of the Bank’s working languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish is strongly desired. Applicants should be specialised in a field relevant to the World Bank’s operations such as economics, finance, education, public health, social sciences, engineering, urban planning and natural resource management and have at least 3 years of relevant experience at the policy level or continued academic study at the doctoral level.
Online applications are accepted annually between May 1 and June 30th. Candidates are selected on a rolling basis. This is a 9-month process and it is expected that the selected candidates will join in September of the following year (i.e. Candidates applying on May 1 through June 30, 2012, if selected, will be expected to join in September 2013).
For more information on World Bank Young Professional Programme

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

The IMF Economist Programme is a three year (two assignments, each lasting 18 months) entry-level employment opportunity. Candidates for the Economist Program should be below 34 years of age when joining , be a recent PhD. graduate, or student who will shortly be completing their programme whose degree in economics with a research focus in international finance, or finance with an understanding of macroeconomics. Candidates should have a good command of English (both written and oral). Applicants should submit an application online during the stated application period.

For further information on IMF Economist Programme

African Development Bank

The Bank hires approximately 20 Young Professionals each year. YPs complete a mandatory minimum of two and maximum of three rotational assignments in different organisational units and sectors within the AfDB. Applicants should hold  a minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics, Engineering, Social Sciences, International Development, Business Administration, Finance or any discipline that is relevant to the work of the Bank and a minimum of three years relevant work experience. Applicants will need to attach a transcript from their Master’s degree(s) as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills in English or French with a working knowledge of a third language that is relevant to the Bank’s operation an advantage). 
For more information on African Development Bank YPP