World Bank’s Africa Fellowship Program 2024: Empowering Ph.D. students and recent graduates

The World Bank Group (WBG) is offering an exciting opportunity for Ph.D. students and recent graduates through its Africa Fellowship Program. Selected fellows will embark on a six-month assignment at WBG offices in Washington D.C. or in country offices, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in the operations of the organization. This immersive experience covers various aspects, including knowledge generation and dissemination, policy design, and institution-building to foster inclusive growth in developing countries. Fellows will actively contribute to research, economic policy, technical assistance, and lending operations aligned with the World Bank’s core mission of eradicating poverty and promoting shared prosperity worldwide. This fellowship aims to nurture the next generation of African change-makers in the fields of development and policymaking, working toward reducing poverty and advancing prosperity in the region.

Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for the World Bank Africa Fellowship, candidates must:

• Be recent Ph.D. graduates (within three years of completion) or enrolled in the final year of a Ph.D. program.
• Demonstrate excellent proficiency in English, both written and verbal.
• Possess strong quantitative and analytical skills.
• Be under the age of 32 by the closing of the application period.

Benefits of WBG Africa Fellowship Program: Upon selection, fellows will be hired as short-term consultants for a six-month engagement starting from January 2024. Beneficiaries will receive consultant fees, round-trip economy class air travel from their university or institution to either Washington, D.C. or a WBG country office, and worker’s compensation insurance. The fellowship period of engagement is set for January to June 2024.

Application Process: Candidates with desirable attributes, such as proficiency in an additional World Bank official language, nationals from fragile and conflict-affected countries, and individuals with experience in forced displacement situations, will receive favorable consideration during the selection process.

The selection process involves two phases:

• In the first phase, a short-list of candidates will be compiled, and suitable applicants will be considered for hire by different units within the WBG based on their specialization.
• In the second phase, the final list of fellows will be selected in collaboration with various units of the WBG. All shortlisted candidates will be informed of their selection status once the process is complete.

How to Apply: Interested candidates can apply on the World Bank’s official website at wbgfellowship.worldbank.org. Applicants must be Ph.D. candidates or recent graduates from Sub-Saharan Africa to be eligible for consideration.

If accepted into the program, fellows will gain firsthand experience working at WBG headquarters in Washington D.C. or a country office for a period of six months, starting from January 2024. During this time, they will actively contribute to research, economic policy development, technical assistance projects, and lending operations that align with the World Bank’s mission of promoting global prosperity and reducing poverty.