Program Assistant

Program Assistant

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

The Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Region serves twenty two countries across different income groups, of which fourteen are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Afghanistan, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia, and Yemen). Eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).  The mission of the region is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. The region attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. The region places high value on diversity. The region is organized into seven Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MNADE).

With an expanded regional strategy, the World Bank aims to help the region weather the current crises, move from stabilization to transformation, unlock its vast economic potential of youth and women, develop its human capital to adapt to global megatrends, and foster innovation (https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena).

From August 2021, the international community’s approach has evolved, with the recognition that a humanitarian response alone will be insufficient to address Afghanistan’s challenges, provide essential basic services and sustain even a smaller economy.  

The WBG has found pragmatic ways to provide essential basic services and livelihoods for the Afghan people. The WBG has reached more than 25 million Afghans following a stepwise approach. First, Approach 1.0 (November 2021) provided humanitarian gap financing. Approach 2.0 (March 2022) provided basic services and livelihoods support for critical health, food security, livelihoods and jobs, education, Non-Government Organizations (NGO) capacity development and water services nation-wide at scale, through United Nations (UN) agencies and international NGOs using the “principled approach” of delivery by and to women adopted by the international community. Both Approaches were financed through the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund (ARTF), with the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents joining to support health services. ARTF’s independent third-party monitoring agent (ARTF MA) verifies all project activities. Under Approach 3.0 (February 2024), the WBG leverages IDA alongside trust funds to expand financing for basic services and livelihoods, leading aid coordination and mobilizing strong co financing with ADB, the EU, and bilateral partners. Its nationwide, at scale design enhances delivery and responsiveness across Afghanistan. 

Role & Responsibilities:

Country Director Support:
• Manage the Country Director’s calendar, meetings, and official engagements; anticipate administrative needs, prioritize requests, and resolve scheduling conflicts.
• Draft, edit, proofread, and finalize correspondence, transmittal letters, briefing notes, presePntations, and management documents in line with World Bank formats and procedures; check materials requiring the Country Director’s attention or signature for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure agendas, briefing notes, and background materials are ready ahead of meetings and engagements.
• Research, retrieve, and synthesize information from relevant sources to support management meetings, correspondence, and decision-making.
• Exercise independent judgment in responding to requests and inquiries; escalate complex or sensitive matters to the Country Director as needed.
• Track decisions, commitments, and action items from the Country Director’s meetings; coordinate follow-up with relevant teams.

CMU and Administrative Support:
• Maintain electronic records and filing systems; safeguard sensitive and confidential information.
• Provide backup support to ACS colleagues during absences and peak workloads.
• Streamline administrative and executive-office workflows to strengthen coordination and efficiency across the Country Director’s office and CMU.
• Maintain effective working relationships and timely communication with senior management, government counterparts, donors, WBG shareholders, and development partners; keep stakeholder contact and distribution lists current.
• Support operational teams with inputs to Implementation Status and Results Reports, Implementation Completion and Results Reports, and other project reports.
• Use word-processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software to prepare reports, graphs, presentations, and project documents; incorporate feedback using shared drives and collaboration tools.
• Assist staff with Travel Requests and Statements of Expenditures (SOEs) in line with institutional procedures; provide backup support for traveling staff.
• Retrieve Trust Fund reports through the Bank’s portal and SAP.
• Undertake other duties as assigned.

Events and Visiting Mission Management:
• Coordinate high-level meetings, workshops, and events, including agendas, participants, briefing materials, logistics, and audio and video conferencing.
• Coordinate official visits and missions, including schedules, meetings, travel, transport, accommodation, access, and security requirements; communicate schedule changes promptly.
• Provide administrative and event support to the Afghanistan Resilience Trust Fund team; prepare donor and partner meeting invitations, status notes, and newsletters.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in an international/multinational organization.
• Proven experience working in a front office setting with competing priorities and tight deadlines. 
• Knowledge of, and experience in, donor coordination and event management. Knowledge of/ability to perform diverse and intricate work routines that are specific in objective.
• Excellent command of English language, both written and oral. 
• Computer proficient and fully conversant with standard word-processing software, spreadsheets, and PowerPoint. 
• Effective Organizational skills and ability to prioritize assignments.
• Demonstrate resourcefulness on the job to develop practical approaches that improve office support work.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to work in a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment.

Required Competencies:

• Technology and systems knowledge - Demonstrates advanced knowledge and experience working with Microsoft office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.). Has ability and willingness to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills of technology.
• Project and task management- Exhibits good organizational, problem-solving skills and ability to work competently with minimal supervision. Demonstrates attention to detail and quality. Has ability to manage multiple tasks and complete tasks within agreed schedule.
• Versatility and adaptability- Demonstrates flexibility and is receptive to the implementation of new solutions. Is willing to stretch own capability. Demonstrates motivation to avail and adapt oneself to effecting change.
• Lead and innovate- Identifies problems or obstacles.
• Deliver Results for Clients- Proactively responds to and completes client requests.
• Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries- Contributes collaboratively to one’s own team.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge- Shares knowledge appropriately.
• Make Smart Decisions- Uses critical thinking to inform own decision-making.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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.