Junior Professional Associate – Social Protection

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org

Junior Professional Associates – Program Description

The Junior Professionals Associate Program (JPA) offers an exceptional opportunity for recent graduates to embark on a professional journey, providing a three-year contract with valuable work experience within a diverse and dynamic environment and the potential of field work experience. The program is an excellent platform to sharpen your existing skills and to develop new ones, all while gaining a profound understanding of the challenges associated with reducing poverty and fostering shared prosperity on a livable planet.

We will provide you with the opportunity to gain entry-level professional experience in a premier development institution, on an Extended Term Consultant (ETC) contract with benefits. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org/careers/jpa

The following are minimum requirements to be eligible for the JPA program:

• Be 32 years of age or younger
• Hold a bachelor’s degree
• Be fluent in English

The JPA program at the World Bank is a highly competitive initiative. Candidates who are being actively considered for positions may be required to present academic transcripts and professional references. The World Bank’s Human Resources team and hiring team will reach out exclusively to individuals selected for assessment and interviews.

Positions may be in any of the World Bank’s offices worldwide.

Specific Unit Description – Social Protection, Global Engagement Unit

The Social Protection Global Engagement Unit supports teams across the globe to deliver better results by developing global public goods and generating and facilitating knowledge exchange to strengthen Social Protection policy, programs and systems in several key areas: Social Assistance; Pensions and Social Insurance (joint with FCI); Labor and Skills (joint with the Education GP), Delivery Systems, Migration, and links to HD and corporate priorities (e.g. Human Capital Project, Gender, Climate Change and FCV).

The Global team collaborates across technical, geographic and institutional boundaries to help design and deliver development solutions to a diverse range of internal and external clients on the following areas, among others: (i)Knowledge Management and Learning, including expertise and content management, publishing, and data analytics, as well as the development and delivery of technical and operational learning for staff and clients; (ii) Global Solutions Group (GSG) coordination, including fostering professional communities of practice centered around the 4 business lines and facilitating the flow of knowledge and experience into implementation; and (iii) Communications, including influencing the global agenda on Social Protection and Jobs and communicating with partners as well as staff.

Duties and Responsibilities

Research and Analytical Work:
● Lead the development and publication of the guidance report on “Digitalization of Public Employment Services (PES) and Cooperation with Private Software Providers” – advise clients (PES) and regional teams on digitalization roadmaps and GovTech procurement strategies.
● Conduct research and support evidence-based analytical work on private providers for labor market interventions. Contribute to the development of various content, including technical notes, reports, research outputs and working papers, presentations, briefs, and blog posts.
● Support in reviewing and developing materials, analyzing key products, and disseminating findings through briefings and events
● Support the development of research projects and policy findings, its wide dissemination, and contribute to fundraising efforts, identifying opportunities and engaging stakeholders.

Jobs MDTF Grant Management:
● Support the Jobs MDTF Grant Initiative by the Labor GSG “Partnering with Digital Private Providers”. Assist the country teams involved in the design and implementation of the 4 awarded pilots (total funding of $300,000)

2025 Jobs Core Course:
● Lead the strategic planning and execution of the Jobs Core Course (January 2025): a flagship, week-long in-person (to be based in Riyadh) training program delivered by SPJ World Bank experts globally.

Knowledge and Community Management and Capacity Building:
● Ensure SPJ staff can easily access labor and skills global public goods, data, and knowledge for informed decision-making in country operations.
● Develop and implement online tools and platforms for effective knowledge capture and sharing. Monitor indicators of SPJ Bank operations and global knowledge integration.
● Track impact indicators of SPJ Bank operations and corporate commitments across regions. Collaborate with front office teams and Global Leads.
● Support events for staff and client and partners engagement on labor and skills related areas.
● Support training sessions, clinics, and dissemination activities to promote best practices (Delivery of Core Courses, HD Week, South-South Learning Forum, SPJ CLASS…)
● Develop new models of knowledge dissemination aligned with operational and corporate needs.
● Ensure the Online Unified Repository aligns with operational needs of TTLs across countries, curating and providing essential materials as requested.
● Support internal Communities of Practice, focusing on labor technical areas (KFG on Digital Labor Market Solutions and KFG on Productive Micro Enterprises), and manage the Public Employment Services Community of Practice and associated knowledge platform and knowledge series.
● Provide design, content and strategic support to the Labor and Skills external Websites, Intranets and other communication and knowledge platforms (E.g. Web on Public Employment Services)
● Coordinate with other Practices within the Bank (EDU, FCI, IFC…) and other partners outside the Bank working on similar agendas (ILO, WAPES, OECD…).

Scaling GSG KM Innovations:
● GSG Workplan Analysis (5 days): Review the workplans of each GSG and conduct interviews / qualitative follow-ups as needed in order to provide an analysis of areas of crossover primarily concerning functions of the GSG and secondarily concerning themes to be covered. The analysis should include an at-a-glance stock take of the GSG expected outputs, identify differences in their ways of working across similar functions (e.g. hosting events, answering queries, disseminating evidence, etc.) and make recommendations regarding what practices to leverage.
● Scaling and assessing GSG innovations (15 days): Using the Analysis and experience as a GSG core team member, identify suitable practices and tools to scale across all GSGs in order to help them meet stated objectives. Use a combination of guidance notes, trainings, and nudges to achieve meaningful change. Plan for a pre/post comparison that can demonstrate or impact of the new practices and tools.

Selection Criteria

• Minimum of 5 years of experience
• Master’s degree in economics, social sciences, international development or a related area.
• Technical expertise in areas of social protection and jobs, labor markets and skills policies and programs a plus.
• Skilled in organizing and managing high-profile events and training sessions, ensuring seamless execution and impactful delivery.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Extensive experience with social media management, digital community management, and facilitation. Advanced proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with strong knowledge of web design (SharePoint and other software).
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work under time pressure
• Advanced technical skills in process design and management, market research, business case studies, and analysis.
• Extensive experience in gathering, compiling, and processing data from diverse sources, including developing comprehensive market research.
• Demonstrated ability to work efficiently and effectively as part of a team
• Ability to maintain and manage relationships across a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including government entities, development partners, and other agencies. Skilled in providing evidence-based advice and solutions grounded in thorough diagnosis and knowledge.

Diversity and Inclusion

The World Bank continually searches for qualified individuals with a diverse set of backgrounds from around the globe. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Individuals with different abilities may be provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions and support in receiving other workplace accommodations.

Poverty has no borders, neither does excellence. We succeed because of our differences and we continuously search for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds from around the globe.