Senior Program Assistant

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Description

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• Coordinate the Country Manager’s schedule of meetings and appointments to ensure effective time management
• Screen, track, prioritize, and follow-up all incoming emails and documents; prepare responses as requested. Formatting of letters, documents, and PowerPoint slides 
• Ensure relevant documents and papers are available for meetings, deadlines are met, and documents requiring signatures are of high quality and adhere to administrative and operational guidelines 
• Establish and maintain an effective network of contacts both inside and outside the Front Office to ensure effective liaison in support of office needs. 
• Manage administrative and logistical arrangements for various events, such as senior official visits, visiting missions, conferences, workshops, and retreats. Ensure timely submission and review of briefing materials and appropriate follow-up actions
• As the first line of contact with an extensive network of contacts at the most senior level, both internal and external visitors, callers and dignitaries, the Senior Program Assistant will be expected to exercise judgment, tact, and discretion in answering and or redirecting inquiries to appropriate sources and in dealing with sensitive or highly confidential matters, making decisions when multiple courses of action are possible. 
• Plan, organize, and manage events/workshops on behalf of the CMU on select topics, including developing a topic-specific guest list and invitations to CEOs/Senior management of companies via phone and email.  
• Establish and maintain an effective network of contacts both inside and outside the Front Office to ensure effective liaison in support of IFC business operations and office needs. 
• Follow-up, on behalf of the Country Manager, on extensive and diverse inquiries, and make appropriate decisions. 
• Communicate with relevant Bangladesh Government authorities (e.g., BIDA, Bangladesh Bank, ERD, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Prime Minister’s Office, National Board of Revenue) to support approval processes and maintain liaisons. 
• Maintain liaison with organizations such as the World Bank (WB), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). 
• Initiate and coordinate all aspects of the Country Manager’s travel schedule (i.e., ticket and hotel reservations, visa requests, etc.) including coordinating the travel and protocol needs. 
• Draft correspondence and prepare and ensure adherence to administrative guidelines and overall quality of outputs requiring the Country Manager’s signature. 
• Possesses a significant degree of rapport with the media (print, digital and television)
• Cooperate and coordinate with other ACS staff in IFC BBN offices to ensure smooth front-office operations and program delivery.
• Initiate and coordinate specific events within the IFC office with colleagues, such as Pohela Boishakh, Year End Party, and the like. 
• Additional responsibilities as assigned by the Manager. 

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 8 years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, with the ability to interact diplomatically with clients and staff at all levels, proven ability to exercise good judgment in interpersonal dealings at all levels and in handling confidential information
• Proven track record in corresponding with senior Bangladesh government officials and private sector leaders. Tenacity in following through with meeting requests and approval processes
• Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills
• Effective in problem-solving and ability to adhere to strict deadlines 
• Familiarity with, or willingness to learn, IFC processes and relevant systems
• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and proficiency in technology or/and systems relevant to functional area
• Ability to translate relevant correspondence
• Excellent skills in preparing PowerPoint and other visual presentation tools
• Ability to manage time-sensitive assignments

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