Program Assistant – Administration/Office Support at World Bank Group (WBG)
Program Assistant
Job #: | req27173 |
Organization: | World Bank |
Sector: | Administration/Office Support |
Grade: | GC |
Term Duration: | 3 years 0 months |
Recruitment Type: | Local Recruitment |
Location: | Washington, DC,United States |
Required Language(s): | English |
Preferred Language(s): | French |
Closing Date: | 5/6/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC |
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
With twin goals of ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity, the WBG works in more than 100 developing economies to improve living standards and to fight poverty. For each of its clients, the WBG works with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to formulate assistance strategies. A network of offices worldwide delivers the programs in countries, liaises with governments and civil society, and works to increase understanding of development issues. The World Bank is owned by 189 member countries whose views and interests are represented by a Board of Governors and a Washington, DC-based Board of Directors. With more than 150 offices worldwide, the WBG works with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges.
Fragility Conflict and Violence (FCV) Group is supporting the World Bank engagement in FCV situations. The demand for WBG expertise and operational engagement on FCV has increased over the last years, and it is expected to further grow in the period to come. The challenge for the WBG is to increase the impact of its engagement on FCV issues, by: (i) mainstreaming and scaling up FCV programs across the WBG; (ii) ensuring quality and impact, including by developing new, evidenced-based business models where needed; and (iii) strengthening partnerships with donors, UN, and other partners.
The FCV Group aims to steer and drive the FCV agenda within the WBG, and to ensure consistency, complementarity in approaches across the WBG. The FCV Group is led by a Director and is comprised of approximately 45 staff distributed across two separate units. The FCV Group is structured into a Front Office and two units led by tagged managers, GTFS1 and GTFS2, which share the responsibility for supporting the implementation of the FCV strategy.
GTFS2 is looking for a high-performing, energetic team member who possesses adaptability and flexibility in providing support to the operational work of the unit and in taking on special assignments as the need arises. The selected candidate will be based in Washington, DC. S/he will provide wide range administrative and operational support to the unit and will report to the GTFS2 Manager.
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
• Providing high quality administrative support to the GTFS2 Manager and team members with the highest level of discretion
• Working in setting and managing priorities and workflow in an efficient and organized manner for the unit.
• Coordinates schedules taking priorities into account, monitors changes, and communicates the information to appropriate staff, inside and outside the immediate work unit, including officials outside the World Bank Group, monitors activities to ensure appropriate follow up.
• Ensuring that relevant background materials are available for meetings, deadlines are met, exercise quality enhancement function for all type of documents by ensuring adherence to departmental, VPU, and institutional guidelines. Interpret existing procedures and processes, and independently determine which should be used, and applying these appropriately. The ability to extensively coordinate with other Bank Group Units and frequent liaison with team members, regardless of location, and external counterparts.
• Attend meetings, draft minutes and ensures timely clearance and distribution.
• Writes at a professional level in English and assist the team in a timely and highly professional manner, to extensive and diverse external/internal inquiries and general requests by drafting and formatting variety of routine documents, applying effective proofreading and grammar skills, and make decisions when multiple courses of action are possible.
• Prioritizing and channeling telephone calls and mails; monitoring and following-up on issues and priorities; and ensuring that appropriate consultations take place.
• Coordinating and monitoring multiple and diverse work processes and activities, ensuring smooth operation of ongoing office administrative functions.
• Assisting in managing a roster of common service tasks performed by administrative staff and coordinating the timely delivery of products.
• In collaboration with the Manager and HR, handle the hiring process of staff (including scheduling shortlisting and interview meetings; following up with selected candidates to schedule interview meetings, drafting regret emails and emails to selected candidate, and following up with HR on other final processes of hiring).
• Handling and assisting with the administrative arrangements on appointment/relocation of office staff.
• Establishing and maintaining an effective database network of contacts and the filing system inside and outside the Bank, ensuring continuity during periodic staff transitions.
• Assisting in the organization of logistics for meetings/seminars, including audio or video conferencing, Webex, Teams, Zoom, catering, and handling any ad-hoc matters as they may arise.
• Handling of travel arrangements including processing SOEs and related tasks.
• Responsible for TRS and LARS coordination in the unit.
• Monitor budget/milestones for specific projects on behalf of the team.
• Process consultant contracts, consulting firms, ensure the fulfilment of statutory requirements for onboarding, organize their travel arrangements and reimbursements.
• Use word processing or desktop publishing skills to produce complex text, reports, figures, graphs, etc., according to standard Bank formats and distribution.
• Performing ad hoc duties as may be assigned, including back-up to other Program Assistants in their absence or during periods of heavy workload.
• Suggest ways to enhance work organization and effectiveness.
• Maintain relationship with internal staff and external counterparts.
• Undertake other tasks as assigned by the Manager.Selection Criteria
• High school diploma with seven years of experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience) required; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Ability to work independently and effectively under pressure, deliver high-quality output, and prioritize and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines
• Good knowledge of World Bank’s organization, procedures, and policies, both administrative and operational
• Proficiency in various computer software packages and World Bank systems (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, HR Portal, RM Portal, HR Compass, eServices, SAP, eConsultant and other systems necessary to conduct the work)
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to make appropriate linkages in work requirements and to anticipate next steps.
• Excellent attention to detail, including proof reading documents for accuracy and entering information accurately.
• Good interpersonal communication, strong written and oral communications skills;
• Strong client orientation and demonstrated ability to operate sensitively in a multi-cultural environment and diplomatically with high level dignitaries.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with internal/external partners at all levels.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Good judgment and tact when handling sensitive issues.
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
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