Young Professionals Programme (YPP)

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group’s Young Professional Program (YPP) aims at attracting the best and brightest from its member countries – both regional and non-regional.

Through the Young Professional Program, the Bank Group will ensure continuity both in the management of projects and the provision of policy advice to its regional member countries.  Young Professionals have the opportunity to work across the continent and be at the forefront of exciting Bank initiatives that are helping to shape Africa’s future.

* Recruitment Process 2010: Long listed candidates have already been contacted

Overview

The Young Professionals Program (YPP) is a highly competitive program targeting motivated, talented, young professionals under the age of thirty-two (32) committed to making a difference on the continent. Upon acceptance and entry, successful applicants will undergo a unique on-the-job training and development to prepare them for a rewarding career and future leadership roles within the Bank. Successful candidates must be committed to Africa’s development and demonstrate outstanding academic and professional achievement, as well as effective team work and leadership potential.

The Bank seeks to hire approximately twenty (20) young professionals each year through the Young Professional Program. The program enables each professional to receive extensive exposure to and experience from various Bank departments and development programs through job rotation. Young professionals are expected to rotate through, at least, three (3) assignments over a 3-year period, which may include one assignment at an AfDB field office. Young professionals will also benefit from a coaching and mentoring arrangement as well as a wide range of relevant training opportunities. Upon successfully completing the program, young professionals will graduate into a professional level position.

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

• Project Implementation – hands on experience in designing, procuring and processing Bank projects;
• 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;
• Negotiations – participating in consultations with regional member countries, other development organizations and Bank service providers;
• 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

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a citizen of a Bank Group member country (regional and non-regional)
• Born on or after 1 November 1977 (32 years of age or younger when assuming duty in October 2010)
• A minimum of a Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, engineering, social sciences, international development, business administration, finance, banking or any discipline relevant to the Bank’s business
• Fluent in English and/or French with a good working knowledge of the other language

Selection Criteria

• Multi-disciplinary background and a minimum of two years relevant work experience
• Outstanding academic credentials
• Demonstrated commitment to African development (field experience on the continent and/or in other developing countries is an added advantage)
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English and/or French with a working knowledge of the other language (working knowledge of a third language that is relevant to the Bank’s operation is an advantage)
• Ability/motivation to work in a multi-cultural work environment
• Demonstrated high leadership potential
• Demonstrated strong analytical skills, dynamism, results-orientation, and problem-solving capability

Application Procedures

Testimonials

ATIA B-C., TOGO, YPP 2008

The AfDB’s YP Program provides you with a unique opportunity to assist in resolving Africa’s ever-evolving development challenges. You are tasked with an immense responsibility to champion socio-economic initiatives that will ultimately lead to obtaining changes in livelihoods. Every day at AfDB is challenging and rewarding – no two days are ever the same. For those interested in joining the program, be prepared to roll up your sleeves and become part of history as you work hand in hand with like minded individuals to make a better Africa today and tomorrow. 

FLAVIO S. D. , GUINEA BISSAU, YPP 2008

The time was right to join an institution that will make my voice heard in Africa. The African Development Bank (AfDB) serves as a platform where we make ourselves accountable to the continent and make a difference to people’s lives. The experience is inimitable and the expectations are immense, because Africa challenges are still enormous.  Embarking on the Program gives you the exposure to diversity and knowledge sharing within the Bank, as well as a sole opportunity to interact with different actors at various levels, including country decision makers.

JOAO C., PORTUGAL, YPP 2008

I believe AfDB is the best ticket to make a real difference in the African continent. Since joining I’ve gained valuable hands-on experience in both operational and strategic issues, in a diverse set of countries, across various departments and in cooperation with other development partners.  The challenges are so huge that as a YP one is expected to contribute at the highest level from day one.

MARC M., CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, YPP 2008

It is a unique way to serve development without giving up on high professionalism standard. Coming from the private sector, a strong incentive was the opportunity to quickly learn about international development framework through the rotational system.  A first rotation different from my previous experience, highlighted an essential component of the YPP: being at risk in a totally new position is commonplace, before eventually finding yourself in your field of experience.  One should therefore expect these aspects of challenge and “quick learning”. The YPP also facilitates a fast introduction to the Bank through the two networks it provides; the YP network and the professional network that you build through your different rotations. At the end of the day, these two networks are unique and useful tools offered to YPs.

RHODA M., TANZANIA, YPP 2008

This Program is an excellent way to bring together like minded young people who are interested in the overall mission of the AfDB – to foster growth and development of the continent. With this program you have the unique opportunity to work in various facets of the bank, directly supporting programs and interfacing with clients or supporting the backbone of the operations through policy support and administration. My first rotation was in an area outside my area of expertise and educational background. However that rotation exposed me to a bird’s eye view of bank operations and all the support systems necessary to enable the Bank to reach its development objectives. It was a great and challenging learning experience and I believe it gave me a unique outlook on the Bank.