Program Assistant
| Job #: | req36562 |
| Organization: | World Bank |
| Sector: | Administration/Office Support |
| Grade: | GC |
| Term Duration: | 2 years 0 months |
| Recruitment Type: | Local Recruitment |
| Location: | Washington, DC,United States |
| Required Language(s): | English and Arabic |
| Preferred Language(s): | English and Arabic |
| Closing Date: | 5/15/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC |
Description
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 http://www.worldbank.org/. The 25 Executive Directors of the WBG Board, assisted by their Alternates, Senior Advisors, Advisors and Administrative staff represent the interests of the 189-member countries who nominated or elected them. They also ensure the oversight of the general operations of the Bank Group and the group’s results on the ground. The institutions under their purview are: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. The Board, working closely with Management, approves several policies, financial commitments and knowledge products that ensure the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edge results for its clients in developing countries.The Office of the Executive Director Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen (EDS11) is looking for a motivated and proactive Program Assistant with excellent administrative, organizational, and interpersonal skills to join the team.The Executive Director’s Office deals with all aspects of the Bank's work, interacts with Senior Bank Management, staff in other departments in the Bank, IFC, MIGA, as well as ministries, governments, embassies and high-level officials, representatives from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academia, and others from the countries represented.The main responsibility of the successful candidate will be to provide effective and high-quality administrative support to the office staff, working closely with other team members to ensure a smooth operation of the office. S/he will be expected to interact with other departments in the Bank, relevant ministries and agencies, embassies, and World Bank Group management and staff. S/he must be able to work in a fast-paced environment. In addition to the Executive Director, the office consists of an Alternate Executive Director, Senior Advisors, Advisors, Senior Executive Assistant and a Program Assistant. The successful candidate will report to the Executive Director.Note:Administrative support staff hired into the Executive Directors’ offices will be offered an initial 2-year Term appointment. Staff on open-ended appointments who are selected into the EDs’ offices are strongly advised to obtain a re-entry guarantee from their releasing units to be able to return to open-ended status. An open-ended staff who does not have a re-entry to his/her releasing unit acknowledges that by applying to this position, s/he is entering a Term position, if selected, and will not be able to maintain his/her open-ended status. Executive Directors must conduct an annual overall performance review for their administrative support staff consistent with WBG annual performance review processes.If an already open-ended candidate in an ED office gets selected, s/he will retain his/her open-ended status based on already meeting the eligibility and prior conversion decision per the ED ACS conversion policy. Such candidate may be subject to rotation as required by Corporate Secretary.Roles & Responsibility:Under the guidance of the Senior Executive Assistant, the Program Assistant will provide the full range of office/administrative support to the Executive Director’s office including, but are not limited to the following:• Working with a high level of discretion and diplomacy in setting and managing priorities and workflow in an efficient and organized manner for the Alternate Executive Director, Senior Advisors, and Advisors (as assigned).• Preparing, processing, and handling various information and data of sensitive and confidential nature.• Scheduling appointments and coordinating mission travels, independently resolving scheduling conflicts, screening and prioritizing incoming correspondence and monitoring activities to ensure appropriate follow-up.• Formatting and typing documents, statements and correspondence as requested by staff at the Executive Director office.• Writes at a professional level in English and Arabic.• The Program Assistant will independently respond, in a timely and highly professional manner, to extensive and diverse external/internal inquiries and general requests by drafting, and formatting standard and routine correspondence, and make decisions when multiple courses of action are possible.• Ensuring that meetings’ files and background materials are available for staff at the Executive Director office in timely manner. • Providing general research support on a diverse range of topics as requested. This entails finding additional information that may be required.• Maintaining and updating contact lists and the filing system.• Prioritizing and channeling calls and emails, following-up on issues and priorities as required. • Assisting in managing a roster of common service tasks performed by administrative staff and coordinating the timely delivery of products.• Performing ad hoc duties as may be assigned, including back-up to other Program Assistants, as assigned.• Assisting in official events and seminars, especially during the World Bank/IMF Annual and Spring Meetings.• Accompanies the office team to the Annual Meetings when held in member countries (once in three years) as needed. • Provides administrative and logistical support to members of the team in the office and delegations from constituency countries (as assigned).
Selection Criteria
Attention : “Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants that are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.”Minimum Education/Experience:• Must have a high school diploma and minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience; undergraduate college degree preferred.• Excellent office support and organizational skills, including being proactive and demonstrated ability to prioritize and deliver assignments in a timely manner, often under time pressure.• Excellent command of written and spoken English and Arabic, including ability to independently draft a variety of formal and informal correspondence; to proofread/edit materials using proper grammar, punctuations, and proper style.• Familiarity with the constituency countries is desirable.• Interpersonal and diplomacy skills including demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented and multi-cultural environment.• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion while conducting work.• Ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with high-level government officials.• Demonstrated ability to function under time pressure and to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment of changing priorities.• Proactive attitude, self-starter, and a team player with ability to work with staff at all levels (inside and outside the World Bank Group).• Advanced working skills in multiple computer software applications (e.g., Microsoft Office, Outlook, Webex, Teams, SAP/Admin Portal) and able to assist office staff on relevant technology systems as needed. Willingness and flexibility to work overtime, including weekends, if required.Required Competencies:• Technology and systems knowledge - Has advanced proficiency of latest technology relevant to assigned responsibilities. Demonstrates initiative in learning and/or supporting implementation of emerging technology and systems relevant to effective work of the unit.• Project and task management - Able to organize and implement tasks. Demonstrates ownership and accountability for results. • Institutional policies, processes, and procedures - maintains up-to-date knowledge of administrative and policy guidelines, practices, products, and services in area of assigned functional responsibility; can support others in complex situations.• Versatility and adaptability - Able to anticipate, facilitate and catalyze change in the business environment and assess the need for new skills and knowledge. Demonstrates continued learning attitude.
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.
