The dream job

The World Bank enjoys an unchallenged presence in most nations of the world. Not only does it offer one the opportunity of pitting their abilities against the best, but also provides a truly global arena to work in.

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THE World Bank, an affiliate agency of the United Nations is one of the chief institutions that provides development assistance to developing nations. The bank enjoys an unchallenged presence in most nations of the world. Its main areas of contribution involve educational issues, health programmes and endorsing the crusade against HIV/AIDS.

The members of the bank comprise of 183 nations who are also the shareholders of the bank. It has various regional centres in countries across the world. The knowledge networks in the bank encourages professionals from diverse fields in the bank to converge, share and exchange views and experiences, and work towards a common goal. The bank's global network of experts from every field helps identify people across the world rendering valuable service by improving the quality of living in developing countries.

The staff of the World Bank co-ordinates development projects and programmes with governments in developing countries in various aspects such as policy, restructuring, and advisory services, and others aspects from identification to supervision of developmental projects.

The World Bank is composed of five organisations - the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Dispute (ICSID).

The World Bank employs people from diverse religions, backgrounds, nationalities and professions. It also makes allowances and arrangements to enable professionals with disabilities, who have the right qualification, to work. The bank confers awards of excellence on outstanding achievers and performers.

Working with the Bank

A potpourri of talent, experience and knowledge, the World Bank believes in its mission statement of eradicating poverty in the world. The bank has various programmes ranging from scholarships and internships to Junior Professional Associates Programmes (JPAP) and Young Professionals Programme (YPP).

The World Bank employs professionals through various modes. A challenging and exciting prospect, the Junior Professional Associates Programme (JPAP) offers graduates (economics, finance, public health, education, nutrition, population, social sciences (anthropology, sociology etc), agriculture, environment, private sector development and other related fields) with the experience of a lifetime.

Linguistic ability is also an important criterion while selecting the right person. The applicant needs to know at least one other official bank language (French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Portuguese, or Chinese) in addition to English. Other aspects also play a crucial role in the final selection process.

These include being tech savvy (knowledge of computers and the web is essential), good quantitative and analytically skills and research abilities. You need to be 28 years old and hold a graduate, a master's or a postdoctoral degree to apply. An excellent academic record is of course a perquisite and a mention of verifiable academic references must be made.

Programmes such as these provide the young aspirant with good exposure to development and poverty alleviation programmes undertaken by the Bank. In the process, he also has the opportunity to utilise his existent skills productively and at the same time acquire new ones. This programme helps the junior professional gain a foothold in other related fields ranging from government service to openings in the private sector, education and consulting.

On the other hand, the Young Professionals Programme (YPP) provides the earnest enthusiast an entry into the UN. However, this is for those individuals who meet the eligibility criteria and are qualified in the fields relevant to the UN. The specialisations range from economics, finance, education, public health, social sciences, engineering, urban planning, and natural resources management. With on the job experience and professional development, the prospects for growth are excellent.

The new recruits are initiated into the workings of the UN through a process of job rotations lasting a year or more where they are exposed to the various aspects of functioning of the World Bank. Every new inductee is exposed to at least one field trip. The new recruits are treated on par with other staff and are given duties and responsibilities to fulfil. Recruitments through this process is based on the applicant's professional qualification, staffing needs and choices.

In addition to being a graduate in any of the above-mentioned subjects, you need to either have the relevant work experience or a doctoral degree. You should be below 35 years of age and have spoken proficiency in one of the official languages of the UN, apart from English.

Reliability, flexibility, a sense of responsibility, maturity in handling the interpersonal and intra-personal issues, good communication skills, and exposure to an international work environment is necessary to fit into the requirements and ethos of the organisation.

The World Bank offers an attractive remuneration package. Young professionals once absorbed into the organisation work in a variety of posts, which means that there is no set or predetermined career path to follow.

They could, as part of the adjustment lending work with other organisations under the aegis of the World Bank such as the IFC and the MIGA.

Educational aid

Apart from these employment opportunities, the World Bank also offers internships and scholarships to students. Natives of the member states of the World Bank are eligible to apply to the internship programme.

The other criteria such as language, areas of specialisation and work experience are similar to those mentioned in the JPAP and YPP programmes. Here too, working knowledge of computers is essential. The bank pays interns on an hourly basis and provides a travel allowance. The World Bank also takes in interns from select universities.

Its fellowship programmes like the joint Japan/ World Bank school programme and the Robert Mc Namara fellowship are open to under graduates for graduate study and to professionals from developing countries to do research.

The Margaret Mc Namara memorial fund provides grants for women from developing countries. It is open to women involved in women and child welfare activities.

SAMYUKTA KODA

samyukta.hyd@cxknetworks.com