By Chol D. Johnson
The Government of South Sudan has unveiled a major initiative to reduce youth unemployment and strengthen the country’s public sector through the newly introduced Young Professional Programme (YPP).
Supported by the World Bank, the programme aims to recruit and develop young graduates and early-career civil servants under the theme “Building the Next Generation of Public Servants for an Effective and Accountable Public Service.”
Speaking at the launch in Juba, Minister of Public Service Dak Duop Bichiok said the initiative comes at a critical time, with over 75 percent of South Sudan’s population under the age of 30 and youth unemployment hovering near 20 percent.
“It is clear that we must tap into the inner innovations and potential of our young people,” Duop said adding “The Young Professional Programme is designed to do just that.”
He described the YPP as a government pilot intended to attract talented, motivated, and ethically driven young South Sudanese into the civil service.
The programme will provide mentorship, leadership development, and hands-on experience to prepare “a new generation of civil servants who are committed to integrity, excellence and results.”
Applications are now open, with Duop assuring that the selection process will be transparent, inclusive, and ensure equal opportunities for women and persons with disabilities.
Deputy Minister of Public Service Julius Tabuley Daniel emphasized the urgency of bringing young talent into government, noting that an ageing workforce has remained in service beyond retirement age due to a stalled pension system.
“There is a backlog of people who are supposed not to be there, yet there is no space to take in people who should have energised the system,” he said.
Tabuley added that the programme will reinvigorate human resource capacity across institutions, improving service delivery nationwide.
World Bank Task Team Leader David Santos underscored the importance of the initiative, saying South Sudan’s future depends on the strength and integrity of its public institutions.
“Delivering essential services is at the heart of development and prosperity in this country,” he said.
Santos explained that creating pathways to employment and meaningful work for young people is a global priority for the World Bank, and in South Sudan it is vital for stability and growth.
“By strengthening public institutions and building skills, we help create conditions for job creation and economic growth,” Santos noted.
He described the YPP as one step toward a broader vision where South Sudanese youth can pursue their aspirations, contribute to their communities, and help build a more prosperous nation.
The World Bank’s role, he added, is to finance the programme and provide technical assistance.
Santos also pointed to longstanding challenges in South Sudan’s public service, citing studies from 2024 that showed around 33 percent of the youth population were uneducated, unemployed, or not in training.
“This indicates that most young people are excluded from productive activities, which undermines social stability and economic growth,” he said.