Senior Program Assistant

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank 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, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 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

East Asia and Pacific Region:

The East Asia and Pacific Region (EAP) is a highly diverse region, with countries of all income levels and wide differences in resource endowments, human capital, and institutional capacity. The Health Nutrition, and Population (HNP) Global Practice in EAP has a large lending and advisory services and analytics (ASA) portfolio. The HNP Practice is actively engaged in most countries in the region, often at the subnational level. The EAP HNP strategy has the objective to improve HNP outcomes and make progress towards UHC, enhancing the performance and resilience of health systems in financially affordable and sustainable ways. The World Bank in South Asia: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eap

The People Vertical Department in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region supports governments across the region to invest in, protect, and utilize human capital. The department brings together expertise in Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP), Education, and Social Protection and Labor (SPL) to help countries build stronger human capital foundations. Its work spans policy dialogue, lending operations, analytical and advisory services, and knowledge exchange across a diverse set of country contexts — from middle-income economies managing demographic transition and the rise of non-communicable diseases, to lower-income and fragile states working to extend basic service coverage. 

The selected candidate will report to the EAP People Vertical Regional Practice Director (RPD) and serve as a Senior Executive Assistant based in Singapore under a four-year local term appointment. The role requires a highly organized and proactive professional with strong knowledge of Bank systems and operations, capable of working effectively in a fast-paced front office environment while contributing to a collaborative and positive team culture.

The Senior Program Assistant is responsible for ensuring the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of administrative and operational support to the RPD, serving as the primary point of contact for all front office matters and ensuring alignment with Bank procedures and standards. The position also provides administrative support to two Practice Managers colocated in Singapore. Strong interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and a client-focused approach are essential.

In addition, the role plays a key coordination function within the department, working closely with the RPD and Leadership Team to support staff (A2D), facilitate delivery of the work program, identify and mitigate risks, advise teams, and undertake special assignments as needed.

Duties and accountabilities:

• Provide high-level executive support to the RPD, exercising sound judgment in managing priorities, workflow, correspondence, and ensuring seamless front office operations.

• Lead complex calendar, time, and travel management, proactively resolving conflicts, coordinating missions, and ensuring well-prepared engagements aligned with strategic priorities.

• Plan and coordinate RPD engagements, conferences, and external interactions, ensuring alignment with stakeholders, quality briefing materials, and strategic visibility.

• Ensure quality assurance and compliance of all documents and communications, including drafting, proofreading, and guiding staff on institutional standards, formatting, and protocols.

• Serve as a key liaison with internal and external stakeholders, managing sensitive communications, maintaining strong relationships, and coordinating across regional and global teams.

• Support administrative and operational processes, including contracts (STC/STT, vendors), payments, travel logistics, budget monitoring, recruitment coordination (Compass, interviews), and event organization.

• Drive office efficiency and execution by coordinating meetings, conducting research for briefings, ensuring timely follow-up on decisions, maintaining confidentiality, supporting PMs and colocated staff in the Singapore office, and fostering collaboration across units, Washington and country offices.

Selection Criteria

"Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants who are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines."

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 8 years of relevant professional experience, preferably within international development organizations or similar environments, with strong familiarity working in English-speaking, multicultural settings.

• Proven ability to handle highly sensitive and confidential matters with discretion, sound judgment, and professional maturity, particularly in a senior management or front office context.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to draft, edit, and present clear, concise, and audience-tailored communications, including correspondence, briefings, and reports.

• Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate seamlessly across diverse teams, including regional VPUs, CMUs, and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Exceptional organizational, administrative, and time management skills, with a track record of prioritizing competing demands, managing complex workflows, and consistently delivering high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.

• High degree of flexibility and adaptability, with the ability to quickly adjust to shifting priorities, support a wide range of assignments, and remain effective in a fast-paced, evolving work environment.

• Demonstrated initiative and results orientation, including the ability to anticipate needs, take ownership of tasks, and deliver outcomes independently in a demanding and dynamic setting.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.