Junior Professional Associate

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.

The JPA will be based in Mexico City.

Specific Unit Description – LC1 Country Management Unit

The LC1 Country Management Unit (CMU) is comprised of Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela. The Country Director (CD) is based in a decentralized office in Mexico City, supported by the Operations Manager, also based in Mexico City and an office in Bogota, Colombia, headed by a Country Manager. The Mexico country office has more than forty staff, covering all aspects of strategy and operations. The CMU oversees a wide range of Bank activities, including financial services and a strong program of innovative knowledge, reimbursable and convening activities. The CMU is actively seeking to expand its program in Mexico. The Operations Manager oversees strategic and operational work by the Bank in the CMU, including strategy development and implementation, pipeline, and portfolio management as well as analytical and advisory work. Currently, the World Bank is closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, but does not have an active engagement with the country yet. Given the setup of the CMU, extensive communication and coordination among virtual teams working in Bogota and Headquarters is required.

Following the presidential elections on June 2, 2024 in Mexico, and a renewed interest by the incoming President to work with the World Bank Group, the LC1 CMU is looking for a dynamic JPA to become a key team member and support the extended country team in its engagement with the incoming administration. The Mexico Country team has prepared a series of transition notes which serve as the analytical underpinning of our value proposition to the next government. The transition notes have been an important instrument to engage with the new administration to identify areas of client priorities and joint entry-points for dialogue and business development. Other high-level meetings, including with the three presidential candidates and potential future secretaries and their teams, as well as with subnational Governors, have helped to reposition the Bank in Mexico and share our new value proposition. In preparation for official inauguration of the new government in October 2024, and its first year of office, the Mexico Country Team would benefit from a JPA to play an instrumental role in facilitating and becoming an active figure in this dialogue and accompanying the preparation of the client engagement as well as the strategy and operational background material.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Country engagement

– Actively participate in the client dialogue with the Mexican government,deepening the interaction on the Bank’s strategic and operational work in Mexico to enhance business development.

– In addition to participating in the engagement with the incoming authorities, the selected candidate will also carry out data research and analysis relevant to this engagement, ensuring that this information is available across the CMU and different global practices.

– Support the operational activities related to the country program through data analysis, briefing write-ups, research, logistical support for high-level meetings/visits, and other tasks as required.

Selection Criteria

* Bachelor’s degree from a recognized accredited university in fields such as economics, political science, law, business administration, public administration, data science, and communications

* Age 32 years old or younger at the time of application

* At least 1-2 years of relevant work experience, which may include previous job positions, paid or unpaid internships and volunteer work.

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish.

* Strong interest in international development, and the global role of the World Bank Group and its evolving mandate and new mission

* Demonstrated ability to work as a team player with enthusiasm for working in multicultural teams.

* Solid understanding of the political economy; and ability to engage accordingly with clients and other stakeholders.

* Experience with data visualization and tools and techniques to effectively communicate findings.

* Strong client orientation and business development interest with the capacity to customize WBG products to client needs.

* Proven track record of strong delivery in quality and time, with a focus on strategic priorities, results and attention to detail.

* Proactive, dynamic and innovative attitude; with a willingness to learn, and strong verbal and written communication skills.

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.