Accidental career in international relations and development - Program Assistant World Bank Group Employee Review

3.0
16 Aug 2010
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

The environment is very stimulating with lots of activities going on simultaneously. There's finance, knowledge management, economic development and helping those in need/reducing poverty all rolled into one organization. If you're in the right department, the pace can be quick and interesting.

Cons

It's a staid, top heavy place - an inverted pyramid. Many people come to the World Bank with quite a bit of experience and they stay there for a long time. You're a youngster if you've worked there 5 years and there is quite a bit of competition to move up. There are also pockets of nationalism in some departments which runs counter to the very diversity the World Bank aspires to exemplify. This also makes it a more political place than most although this doesn't mean you won't find nice people working there. You just have to look a little harder.

Explore other reviews about World Bank Group

5.0
9 May 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great work-life balance and an amazing place to work.

Cons

Promotions can take time, and the promotion process can be lengthy.

2.0
19 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Excellent coworkers across the global Benefits package is exceptional including health insurance, PTO, sick leave

Cons

Overly bureaucratic procurement and institutional guidelines result in team spending significant time on approvals and transactional work Leadership is not connected to team Resources are extremely stretched and too small for the volume of work expected

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