Paid ADB Young Professionals Program

Organization: Asian Development Bank

Type: Fellowship

Location: Global

Deadline: September 30, 2026

Funding: Fully Funded

The Asian Development Bank runs the Young Professionals Program as its entry-level route into a career in international development. You join as international staff at ADB headquarters in Manila on a fixed three-year appointment, spend 18 months in an operations or operations support department, then rotate into another part of the bank. Recruitment for the next cohort opened on 1 September 2026 and closes on 30 September 2026. **What you get:** - A three-year fixed-term appointment as ADB international staff at grade YP1, based at headquarters in Manila, with promotion to YP2 after the 12-month probation - A salary set against ADB's standards and comparator markets, paid in US dollars, plus retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave including parental leave, and life and other insurance - All reasonable relocation expenses covered, with housing, education and expatriate allowances where applicable - A mentor from ADB's experienced international staff, many of whom started as Young Professionals, and structured staff development - An 18-month initial placement followed by a rotational assignment aligned with your career interests and ADB's needs - A route into a permanent ADB position: Young Professionals move to a non-YP role through ADB's vacancy process, with a possible two-year extension if that takes longer than three years **What you'll do:** - Assist in developing ADB policy and strategy and support research and analysis on the development impact of ADB operations - Help develop, process and administer loans, grants and technical assistance projects - Take part in fact-finding missions, policy studies and project execution - Contribute to ADB's advocacy and knowledge-sharing work - Relocate to Manila, Philippines, and report to a Director or designated technical international staff **Key dates:** - Applications opened 1 September 2026 - Applications close 30 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Manila time - Shortlisted candidates take an online assessment and a recorded video interview - Panel interviews take place in the first quarter of 2027 (the programme page says December to February) **More information:** - Applications are submitted through the ADB Career and Employment System (ACES), which requires creating an account; the vacancy is reference number 260870 - Upload a CV and your most recent university transcript in the Attachments section of the application - Previous applicants may apply again if they still meet the eligibility requirements - A PhD is accepted in lieu of the three years of work experience - ADB states on its integrity advisories page that it never solicits money for employment at ADB; there is no application fee

Asian Development BankFellowship

Paid ADB Young Professionals Program

This one has closed

Archived

Opportunity type

Fellowship

Funding

Fully Funded

Location

Global

Deadline

Archived

About this opportunity

What you get:

A three-year fixed-term appointment as ADB international staff at grade YP1, based at headquarters in Manila, with promotion to YP2 after the 12-month probation
A salary set against ADB's standards and comparator markets, paid in US dollars, plus retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave including parental leave, and life and other insurance
All reasonable relocation expenses covered, with housing, education and expatriate allowances where applicable
A mentor from ADB's experienced international staff, many of whom started as Young Professionals, and structured staff development
An 18-month initial placement followed by a rotational assignment aligned with your career interests and ADB's needs
A route into a permanent ADB position: Young Professionals move to a non-YP role through ADB's vacancy process, with a possible two-year extension if that takes longer than three years

What you'll do:

Assist in developing ADB policy and strategy and support research and analysis on the development impact of ADB operations
Help develop, process and administer loans, grants and technical assistance projects
Take part in fact-finding missions, policy studies and project execution
Contribute to ADB's advocacy and knowledge-sharing work
Relocate to Manila, Philippines, and report to a Director or designated technical international staff

Key dates:

Applications opened 1 September 2026
Applications close 30 September 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Manila time
Shortlisted candidates take an online assessment and a recorded video interview
Panel interviews take place in the first quarter of 2027 (the programme page says December to February)

More information:

Applications are submitted through the ADB Career and Employment System (ACES), which requires creating an account; the vacancy is reference number 260870
Upload a CV and your most recent university transcript in the Attachments section of the application
Previous applicants may apply again if they still meet the eligibility requirements
A PhD is accepted in lieu of the three years of work experience
ADB states on its integrity advisories page that it never solicits money for employment at ADB; there is no application fee

Who can apply

National of an ADB member country (ADB only hires nationals of its 69 members)
Aged 32 or below upon joining ADB; the FAQ says the age limit is not flexible
At least a first-level university degree with a proven academic record in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Engineering, Environment, Law, Social Sciences, Public Policy or another field relevant to ADB; a post-graduate degree is preferred
At least three years of relevant professional experience (internships count) in a field such as development economics, climate change, banking or investment, education, energy, environment, financial sector, public health, public-private partnership, rural development, transport, urban planning, water, or agriculture and natural resources; a PhD is accepted in lieu of experience
Excellent written and spoken English
Willing to relocate to Manila, Philippines
Passionate about development work, a keen and agile learner with strong interpersonal skills

AI Verification

✓ AI Verified

Our AI read the official sources and cross-checked the key facts. Here is what held up, and what it could not confirm.

This opportunity is run by an established organization, and we confirmed its key details against the official source. As always, never share sensitive personal or financial information until you are sure a request is genuine.

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Cross-checked 16 of 17 key facts

Confirmed Our best read Not stated

Good to know

+A three-year international staff appointment at ADB headquarters in Manila, with a US dollar salary, medical cover, parental leave and relocation costs paid.
+A mentor, an 18-month first placement and then a rotation, with a route into a permanent ADB post.
+Free to apply, and ADB states it never asks for money for employment.

Worth checking yourself

!You need at least three years of relevant work experience (internships count, or a PhD instead) and must be 32 or under when you join. ADB says the age limit is not flexible.
!Only nationals of ADB's 69 member countries can apply, and you must relocate to Manila.
!Closes 30 September 2026 at 11:59 pm Manila time. ADB's posting also prints 0800 GMT, which is earlier, so submit before 08:00 GMT on the 30th to be safe.
!The starting salary is not published, and you apply through an ADB careers account.

Sources checked

ADadb.orgApplyADadb.orgApplyADadb.orgApplyADadb.orgApplyADadb.orgApplyADadb.orgApplyADadb.orgApplyADadb.orgApplyADadb.orgApplyACaces.adb.orgOfficial

LOT finds and checks opportunities from public sources. Always confirm details on the organiser’s own page before applying.