Program Assistant

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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 poverty in a livable planet. 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.The World Bank’s Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment Global Practice (MTI) provides broad macroeconomic analysis in support of countries’ economic programs, including the analysis of macro-financial risks, and macroeconomic modelling services to the rest of the WBG. MTI supports sound fiscal frameworks and fiscal risk management as well as better institutions and capacity on debt management to improve efficiency of public spending and bolster macroeconomic stability. MTI brings together about 530 professionals working across more than 100 countries. The Global Practice houses the Bank’s country economists and professional staff with expertise in macroeconomics, fiscal policy, growth, and statistics.  About fifty percent of MTI professional staff are decentralized to the field, working closely with the Country Management Units (CMUs) and directly with clients.  MTI is responsible for delivering timely policy advice to support the following lines of work:

• designing macro-fiscal frameworks that are aligned with the goals of reducing extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity, as well as being grounded in economic, social and environmental sustainability;
• supporting fiscal and debt policy sustainability; 
• generating growth analytics and policy recommendations to sustain and boost growth; and
• analyzing the impact of external shocks and climate change risks on growth and the government fiscal position.

MTI professionals are responsible for the preparation and delivery of Development Policy Operations using both IDA and IBRD resources, and lead or participate in the preparation of Advisory Services and Analytics, Technical Assistance and integrative outputs such as Strategic Country Diagnostics, Country Economic Memorandums and cross-sector Public Finance Reviews.

Within MTI, the Fiscal Policy, and Sustainable Growth Unit (EMFTX) provides specialist support for World Bank Group operations to strengthen countries’ efforts in using tax and expenditure policy, the management of fiscal risks and fiscal planning for boosting equitable growth and underpinning macroeconomic stability. As a Global Unit, EMFTX provides technical expertise on these issues to the wider GP’s operational work in the Regions. Increasingly, EMFTX is integrating considerations for climate change into these engagements. EMFTX also engages with development partners and other stakeholders in the global debate on climate-smart domestic resource mobilization (including the IMF, OECD and UN in the Platform for Collaboration on Tax).

This work includes:

• Providing knowledge products, tools, and data to speed-up and improve project quality, analytical work, and policy dialogue.
• Supporting World Bank operations, including by undertaking tax diagnostics.
• Mobilizing resources to support task teams working on taxation (e.g., with US$60m raised through the Global Tax Program), macro related aspects of climate change, and fiscal policy.
• Supporting the corporate agenda through analytical inputs, briefs, and monitoring of the Bank’s corporate commitments on tax (e.g., under IDA and Financing for Development) and climate change (e.g., the Paris Accord and the Helsinki Principles).
• Collaborating with clients and partners such as the IMF, OECD, UN, and donor agencies to give voice to developing countries in international fora and establish partnerships such as the Platform for Collaboration on Tax and the Prosperity Collaborative.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• The selected candidate will report to the Practice Manager and work closely with EMFTX team and support the unit in delivering program by being responsible for administrative, and logistical tasks. Key responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:
• Advanced Operations Support
• Submit portal packages for concurrence and decision for Concept Notes, Progress Reviews, Decision Reviews, etc. and prepare operations portal invites and reminders.
• Advise teams on timelines, Bank guidelines, policies, etc. and update project milestones in consultation with respective task team leader (TTL).
• Monitor the unit’s portfolio and bring potential issues and/or upcoming deadlines to the Manager and TTL’s attention.
• Troubleshoot issues in operations portal on behalf of the team.
• Prepare monthly portfolio monitoring report using standard reports/RM reports for the Practice Manager and task teams.
• Handle sensitive and confidential material discreetly, in line with the Access to Information policy.
• Ad hoc tasks related to operations as requested by PM and TTLs, and provide back-up support to other Program Assistants in their absence or during periods of heavy workload.
• Support the functions in the planning and monitoring of budget resources; respond to budget related queries from team members.

Administrative support:

• Handle meeting logistics for teams with the counterparts not based in HQ.
• Help organize unit events (e.g., meetings, team building activities, etc.).
• Handle translation of documents.
• Support to task teams on hiring of STCs, firms, etc.
• Mission preparation, travel logistics support, etc. for WBG staff and Consultants
• Follow up with unit staff for timely submission of staff time and leave records.
• Support administrative assistance to Practice Manager. This includes, but not limited to:
• Calendar management: interact with other WBG staff as needed.
• Coordination of the presentations and other background materials for the Practice Manager’s meetings
• Coordinating travel
• Carry out ad-hoc assignments as required and serve as back-up to any function as may be assigned.
• Help troubleshoot issues that may arise and respond to ad hoc tasks.

Selection Criteria

Minimum requirements:

• bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Preferred experience in more than one VPU of the World Bank, with in-depth knowledge of the full range of Bank Group processes, policies, and procedures, particularly regarding institution-wide functions.
• Experience in organizing events, workshops, and meetings for senior-level staff.
• Experience in organizing complex travel and logistics for team members.
• Proven project and task management skills, with the ability to plan and prioritize work for oneself and internal clients.
• Ability to set priorities according to the office agenda and objectives, prioritizing tasks that are urgent and/or important and have deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, with the maturity and ability to interact responsively and thoughtfully with staff at all levels, demonstrating good judgment, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to independently manage multiple assignments with minimal supervision, prioritizing and coordinating with team members to resolve competing demands.
• Experience in dealing with senior officials both within and outside the Bank.
• Strong English language skills (verbal and written), including the ability to draft and edit correspondence and ensure the quality of written outputs and clarity of message.
• Experience with budget, Trust Fund, and project monitoring.
• Proven ability to promote and work in a team-focused environment and pitch in to fill gaps when needed.
• Problem-solving skills and resourcefulness in dealing with unexpected logistical situations, often under pressure.
• Excellent office technology skills, particularly in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SAP, Chrome, and Internet Explorer.
• Willingness and flexibility to work overtime on short notice and as needed.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Attention to detail with an appreciation for how they impact the big picture.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=28764&site=1