Q&A: Jobs in Development Finance

I have over 15 years of experience in Climate and Energy finance in the development sector with the World Bank, African Development Bank and other bilateral institutions. I am happy to answer questions on what areas are hot, how to structure your pitch, prepare on the topic for potential interviews and cover letters. Development Finance is an amazing career option which is very challenging, intellectually stimulating and takes you to locations which you would never dream of!

Apply to be a WSO Mentor

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Thank you so much for doing this. I have a few questions I'd like to ask:

  • How did you enter the development finance space? Did you have prior working experience before this? I see that most YPP require 2 years work experience + masters degree. Do they only take in people from IBD or are other parts of private sector finance useful as well?
  • How are MDBs different from IBD? From my understanding its more project finance and deploying capital to help developing countries build roads/ bridges etc, but I'm hoping to know more
  • People usually say that the WLB in multilateral institutions are usually much better compared to the private sector, but was this true for you? Whats your usual hours like?
  • How does the compensation compare to working in traditional finance? Are the earnings tax free? Do they pay bonuses

 

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