The PHRD Staff Grant Program, initiated in fiscal year 2003, aims to integrate Japanese nationals into the World Bank Group (WBG) as staff members. This initiative offers mid-level Japanese professionals the chance to understand WBG operations and gain international development experience while utilizing their expertise. The program also fosters knowledge exchange on emerging development challenges. The WBG values the substantial financial and human resources contributed by the Government of Japan through this program.
These contributions facilitate ongoing investment in human capital and enhance career opportunities for Japanese nationals within the WBG. Participants acquire insights into WBG’s objectives, functions, and processes, promoting alignment between Japan's development goals and those of the WBG. Graduates of the program can swiftly adapt to WBG guidelines, aiding in crafting economic policies for developing countries.
Since its inception until FY24, Japan has contributed $109 million to the PHRD Staff Grant Program and approved $93 million for 212 staff positions, with disbursements amounting to $79.6 million. Currently, 69 staff from this program are employed at the World Bank, with women making up 64% of this workforce.
Several grant recipients shared their experiences:
“I am deeply grateful for the support of the PHRD program between 2004 and 2007 while I worked in the World Bank Jakarta Office as a fixed-term staff. Since mid-2007, I have been working with the World Bank Kabul Office as Senior Economist. The program provided me with a great opportunity to learn the World Bank system and mission.”
“I have worked here for more than 15 years now and have been the TTL for numerous operations.”
“I worked on Haiti during the reconstruction after the earthquake in 2010. I have moved on to work in North Africa where we have fragile, conflict-affected countries, but also where inequity is a big part of the reason youth are joining terrorist groups. Bringing prosperity to North Africa is critical to those people but also to reducing global terrorism.”
“I have been contributing to create markets in IDA/fragile, conflict-affected countries by using my expertise I brought to the WBG from the private sector in Japan.”
“I have been a part of a task team for the PHRD-UHC window, which is accelerating progress towards universal health coverage. Through this work, I have contributed to decrease catastrophic out-of-pocket payment for health care expenses and hence contributed to ending extreme poverty.”
“Leading strategic communications for units I have supported ensures clarity of messaging and shows how their work contributes to the Bank’s goals.”
“I work for Education Global Practice. Helping our clients build a better education system gives poor more access and better quality education.”
“Currently, I am a Human Development Program Leader in Vietnam where we are putting together a program that focuses on improving human capital of ethnic minorities. Prior to my current assignment, I focused on improving education and training systems of countries in EAP, AFR, and ECA.”