World Bank – South Africa Jobs

To apply, click on the link at the end of the posts and all the best with your applications

WBG Pioneer – LEG Intern

Job available in these locations:
Washington, DC, United States
Vienna, Austria
New Delhi, India
Nairobi, Kenya
Singapore, Singapore
Pretoria, South Africa
WBG Pioneer – LEG Intern

Job #: req37744
Organization: World Bank
Grade: T3 & T4 (No-fee)
Location: Washington, DC; various potential (Nairobi, Pretoria, Singapore, New Delhi, Vienna)
Hiring Manager: Sheila Braka Musiime
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 (11:59pm UTC)
Description

WBG Pioneers, the World Bank Group’s Internship Program, offers undergraduate and postgraduate students a high impact learning experience at the heart of global development. Participants gain hands on experience in a diverse and dynamic environment, contribute fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, and connect with international professionals working to end poverty on a livable planet.

WBG Pioneer

The World Bank Legal Vice Presidency offers highly-motivated law students an opportunity to be exposed to the mission and work of the World Bank and that of the Legal Vice Presidency. The World Bank Legal Internship Program allows individuals to bring new perspectives, innovative ideas, and latest research experiences into the World Bank’s daily operations and improve their legal skills while working in a multicultural environment.
The objective of the program is to provide interns first-hand experiences of the day-to-day operations of the World Bank by closely collaborating with staff in the Legal Vice Presidency. As part of our team, interns will be working directly with outstanding and inspiring development professionals and senior management affording opportunities to contribute to the legal services offered by the Legal Vice Presidency as well as participate in high-profile events and conferences organized during their internship.
The World Bank Legal Internship Program is offered at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D.C. and in certain selected country offices for currently enrolled law school students.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducting a variety of legal assignments under the direction of the Chief Counsel, Senior Counsels or supervising lawyer(s) assigned;
• Conducting research on assigned issues using existing legal files and alternative sources (e.g., the internet, intranet, or other databases), analyzing information, and summarizing findings;
• Conducting comparative legal analyses on a range of issues in a given area, identifying legal and policy issues, researching relevant precedents, and proposing appropriate solutions;
• Reviewing contracts and legal documents to ensure they conform to the Bank’s guidelines and procedures, and providing comments as required;
• Assisting in drafting standard legal agreements and amendments to legal agreements;
• Participating in task/project teams; and
• Performing ad hoc assignments as requested by the supervising lawyer(s) as may be assigned over the course of the internship.
• Legal interns should be able to receive academic credit for the internship from their university or third-party remuneration.

Selection Criteria

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in (1) the final year of an undergraduate program in law or (2) a postgraduate (master’s/JD/PhD) program in law. Candidates must be enrolled through the final day of the internship
• Academic background must align with the requirements outlined in the job description
• Demonstrated interest in development work and the World Bank Group’s mission
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in diverse, team-based environments
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines
• Proficiency in English; additional languages may be required depending on the role (preferred languages include French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic)

No-fee internships, students must be enrolled:

(i) in a Master or PhD or similar program during the entire internship, or
(ii) in the fifth year (or higher) at a university or equivalent institution towards the completion of a degree in a country where higher education is not divided into under-graduate and graduate stages.

No-Fee Internship Eligibility

This position is offered under the WBG Pioneers No-Fee Internship Track. Students may be offered a no-fee STT appointment provided that they either: (a) are enrolled in a Master’s, PhD, or similar graduate program during the entire internship (or are in the fifth year or higher of a degree program in countries where higher education is not divided into undergraduate and graduate stages) and provide an official letter from their university confirming that the internship fulfills academic requirements for at least one term of study; or (b) are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies and receive a stipend from their university at least equivalent to the minimum STT T1 fee level in effect at the start of the assignment, as confirmed by an official university letter.

Note: Please limit your applications to a maximum of three positions. Applications exceeding this limit will not be considered.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here to apply

WBG Pioneer – Environmental and Social (E&S) Intern

Job #: req37619
Organization: IFC
Grade: T4
Location: Johannesburg,South Africa
Hiring Manager: Elizabeth Atieno Ndinya
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 (11:59pm UTC)
Description

WBG Pioneers, the World Bank Group’s Internship Program, offers undergraduate and postgraduate students a high impact learning experience at the heart of global development. Participants gain hands on experience in a diverse and dynamic environment, contribute fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, and connect with international professionals working to end poverty on a livable planet.

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

IFC’s Environmental and Social (E&S) team is seeking an intern as part of the WBG Pioneers Program. The purpose of this internship is to provide support to the E&S regional team for Southern and Central Africa on E&S risk management vis -à-vis IFC Performance Standards with the aim of promoting compliance with IFC’s E&S standards and enhanced impact and additionality of IFC -supported investments. The role will work across both direct investments (loans, equity etc.) as well as E&S risk management on public private partnership (PPP) projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

The E&S intern will work under the leadership and guidance of an E&S specialist and will support E&S investment/ PPP due diligence and portfolio monitoring as follows:
Due Diligence and Risk Screening
Support with the identification of key project E&S risks associated with both direct investments as well PPP projects against the requirements of IFC’s Performance Standards.
Support with the preparation of internal E&S documentation to enable IFC’s decision making and attend internal meetings.
Review E&S documentation, impact assessments, management plans etc. for consistency with IFC Performance Standards, accurateness, and completeness.
Use and integrate various tools and data sources to support early risk screening identification, and development of recommendations (e.g. RepRisk, iBAT, contextual risk assessment); and
Assist in ensuring completeness of due diligence records and documentation.
Portfolio Monitoring and Support
Assist with the monitoring of E&S actions implemented by clients;
Assist with client supervision visits and E&S Annual Monitoring Reports reviews;
Update databases, records, and project documentation on a timely basis; and
Assist with portfolio reporting.
Selection Criteria

Candidates must be currently enrolled in, or in the final year of, a postgraduate (master’s/PhD) program in the preferred fields of environmental studies or engineering, international development, sociology, biodiversity/ecology, anthropology, environmental and social sciences or related areas
Candidates must have 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in E&S risk management as well as development and review of safeguards documentation such as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Due Diligence, and specific E&S management plans (Resettlement Action Plan etc.)
Interest and understanding in development finance and the World Bank Group’s mission
Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work effectively in diverse, team-based environments
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines
Proficiency in English; additional languages are advantageous
Note: Please limit your applications to a maximum of three positions. Applications exceeding this limit will not be considered.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here to apply

WBG Pioneer – Environmental / Biodiversity Intern

Job #: req37580
Organization: IFC
Grade: T4
Location: Johannesburg,South Africa
Hiring Manager: Elizabeth Atieno Ndinya
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 (11:59pm UTC)
Description

WBG Pioneers, the World Bank Group’s Internship Program, offers undergraduate and postgraduate students a high impact learning experience at the heart of global development. Participants gain hands on experience in a diverse and dynamic environment, contribute fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, and connect with international professionals working to end poverty on a livable planet.

IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet.
IFC’s Environmental and Social (E&S) team is seeking an intern as part of the WBG Pioneers Program. The purpose of this internship is to provide support to the E&S regional team on biodiversity related risk management vis-à-vis IFC Performance Standards, specifically Performance Standard 6, with the aim of promoting compliance with IFC’s E&S standards and enhanced impact and additionality of IFC -supported investments. The role will predominantly work to support IFC’s direct investment projects (loans, equity etc.).

Duties and Responsibilities

The E&S intern will work under the leadership and guidance of the regional Biodiversity Lead and will support biodiversity-related risk and impact screening as well as investment due diligence and portfolio monitoring as follows:

Due Diligence and Risk Screening

1. Support the screening of prospective projects in the Africa region with respect to biodiversity risks and impacts
2. Support project E&S specialists in gathering and analyzing available information, such as client’s project documentation, to identify gaps against Performance Standard 6 as relevant to the sector (infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, manufacturing, services, etc.).
3. Provide biodiversity-related support to the project lead E&S specialists covering due diligence and supervision of projects
4. Support with the preparation of internal E&S documentation to enable IFC’s decision making and attend internal meetings.
5. Use and integrate various tools and data sources to support early risk screening identification, and development of recommendations (e.g. iBAT, GMAP etc.); and
6. Assist in ensuring completeness of due diligence records and documentation.

Portfolio Monitoring and Support

7. Assist with the monitoring of biodiversity specific actions implemented by clients;
8. Assist with client supervision visits and Annual Monitoring Reports reviews;
9. Update databases, records, and project documentation on a timely basis; and,
10. Assist with portfolio reporting.
    Selection Criteria

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in, or in the final year of, a postgraduate (master’s/PhD) program in the relevant discipline (e.g., biological or ecological sciences, such as conservation biology, ecology & evolution, wildlife management or similar).
• Candidates must have 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in E&S / biodiversity risk management, ideally with experience in the development and/or review of biodiversity specific of safeguards and documentation such as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Due Diligence, Biodiversity Action Plans etc.
• Interest and understanding in development finance and the World Bank Group’s mission
• Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in diverse, team-based environments.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in English; additional languages are advantageous.

Note: Please limit your applications to a maximum of three positions. Applications exceeding this limit will not be considered.
WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

The World Bank Group values diversity and encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of World Bank Group member countries to apply, regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. Sub-Saharan African nationals, Caribbean nationals, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications