Features of the Program

The Program mandates completion of two out of three yearly rotations with a possibility of securing a regular staff position during the third year of the program. Additionally, the Program affords coaching and mentoring opportunities for each Young Professional.

Professional experience

The first rotational assignment will be a ‘stretch’ or ‘learning’ rotation, responsive to the Bank’s needs and priorities.  It is intended to provide exposure to the Bank’s various departmental and developmental programs and processes. Individual work programs should reflect on-the-job learning that is central to the YPP.

Where possible, the second rotational assignment should take place in the area of expertise or organizational unit in which the YP hopes to remain for the mid to long term if selected on a competitive basis. The work program should provide a suitable bridge between the development focus of the first rotation and the specialist nature of the second rotation and the level of responsibility required in a higher level position.    

As required by their work programs, and at the request of the organizational unit hosting the rotation, YPs are expected to participate in missions and assignments in Field Offices for a certain period of time. 

YP assignments span all departments and functions at the Bank. The following is a non-exhaustive list of assignments previous YPP participants have completed:

• Project Implementation – hands on experience in designing, implementing, procuring and processing Bank projects
• Regional Integration – Identifying and supporting cooperation between African states to promote growth, competitiveness and diversify economies.
• Financial Analysis – developing country lending strategies
• Risk Management – providing advice on loan portfolio performance and managing currency, interest rates and liquidity risks
• Asset Management – managing Bank Group assets in the Treasury Department
• Capacity Building – conducting capacity building training courses in regional member countries
• Legal Services – providing legal advice and drafting loan and grant agreements
• Support – providing critical corporate functions from human resources management to communications and strategic planning
• Infrastructure – Developing  and monitoring regional projects  in the four key areas of sanitation, energy, transport and telecommunications
• Private Sector – Strategizing innovative partnerships and transactions to promote and assess private sector development and its impact

Training

• Young Professional Orientation: All selected YPs participate in a one week induction program where they are introduced to the Bank’s organizational units, operations and functions. This is intended to facilitate their integration into the Bank’s daily routine.
• Other training opportunities: YPs participate in trainings designed specifically for the Program participants as well as other general Bank-wide training courses/seminars. 

Coaching and Support

• Mentor: The Mentoring Program aims to build an effective partnership between management and YPs in order to help young professionals gain the knowledge and skills they require in order to contribute and be successful in the organization. This Program can also provide support to management’s goals of developing a vital and effective staff to carry out the Bank’s development agenda.
• Buddy: YPs are assigned a Buddy from the previous YP cohort, who serves as a source of information and support during the YP’s familiarization with the Bank and country of assignment.
• YPP Team: The YPP team is dedicated to the recruitment, training, performance evaluation and rotation management of the YP cohorts to ensure their successful completion of the Program. 
• YP Liaison Team:  Two representatives are selected from the YP cohorts, who will serve one year.  It acts as an active link between the YP cohorts and the YPP team in the HR Department.