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 consists of two entities – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org.

Eastern and Southern Africa: Home to almost 60% of Africa’s population, the Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) region is geographically, culturally, and economically diverse and comprises 26 countries stretching from the Red Sea in the North to the Cape of Good Hope in the South.

AFE boasts some of the world’s richest natural resources. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produces much of the world’s mined cobalt, and Angola leads the region in the production of crude oil. For countries in Southern Africa, precious metals and minerals are the biggest exports, including gold and diamonds from South Africa and platinum from Zimbabwe. Many of these minerals will be in critical need to combat climate change and present a growth opportunity in a low-carbon future.

Economic growth in AFE is expected to accelerate from a trough of 2.2% in 2023 to 3.2% in 2024 and firm further to 3.6% in 2025–26. The growth performance of the AFE subregion is dragged down by lower-than-average growth in Angola and South Africa. Excluding these two countries, economic activity is expected to increase by 4.3% in 2024 and 5% in 2025–26. Within the subregion, the East African Community is projected to grow at the fastest pace (5.3% and 5.8% in 2024 and 2025–26, respectively), thanks to robust growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
The World Bank works closely with country leaders, civil society, development partners, and youth in Eastern and Southern Africa to chart a brighter course for the region’s future. We also partner with regional economic organizations, such as the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the East African Community, and the Southern African Development Community to help countries reach their development potential.
The World Bank’s work spans the five dimensions of People, Prosperity, Planet, Infrastructure, and Digital for maximum impact on development across the world.
Eastern and Southern Africa Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa

Prosperity Practice Group

Prosperity Practice Group (PG) support economic policies and legal, regulatory, and institutional reforms to enable equitable and sustainable growth and to reduce poverty.
The Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice
The World Bank Group’s Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation Global Practice (FCI) combines expertise in the financial sector with expertise in private sector development to foster private sector-led growth and help create markets in client countries. Through this work, FCI strengthens the World Bank Group’s evolving approach to development finance: to maximize finance for development and to leverage private sector investments for sustainable and inclusive growth.

Within countries, FCI works with governments to create an enabling environment where financial stability, access to finance and risk management provide a foundation to crowd-in private sector investment, create capital markets, and accelerate equitable growth. At the same time, the practice is focused on identifying firm- and industry-level constraints to deliver reforms which can drive growth and accelerate job creation (including access to finance, innovation, special economic zones, industry solutions, entrepreneurship, etc.). Boosting firm-level efficiency and productivity centers on adopting better technologies, including digital ones.
FCI comprises close to 800 staff working across more than 120 countries.  For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/unit/fci

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Program Assistant will report to the EAEF2 Practice Manager and work alongside a group of professionals based in Washington DC and throughout the region. She/He will be responsible for the following tasks and duties:

Operational and Administrative Support to TTLs

• Provide on-demand operational support to teams on lending, active portfolio, ASAs and TF’s and ensure adherence to regional and global quality requirements.
• Assist teams in a time-sensitive and constructive manner in resolving operational issues including issues related to the operations portal.
• Support the preparation and review of project documents, such as Concept Notes, Implementation Status and Results Reports, Project Appraisal Documents, Restructuring Papers, aide memoires, ASA reporting documentation, and provide timely feedback to project teams.
• Coordinate the schedule of meetings including logistical and documentation arrangements
• Exercise quality enhancement function for all types of documents, adhering to departmental, VPU, and institutional guidelines
• Manage clearance procedures and finalization of documents
• Support the EAEF2 Practice Manager on monitoring and management of the unit’s work program and TTL’s on project management.
• Tracking and updating project/product schedules, monitor deliverables and milestones such as Concept and Decision notes, ISR, APR, ICR, ACS.
• Monitoring unit’s portfolio compliance on corporate commitments such as gender, climate co-­ benefit, and citizen engagement.
• Performing analysis of results, risks and issues in the portfolio and provide recommendations for PM’s attention and teams action; and monitor progress on decisions made.
• Monitoring unit’s portfolio outliers and assist PM to report progress to the RD’s office. Assisting PM on portfolio validation exercise and reporting to the EFI VPU.
• Regularly monitor the unit budget performance and compliance.
• Run a monthly budget status reports include (PM targets, commitment, SOE, TRS, TF) using reports and SAP
• Monitor and follow up TTLs budget performance and burn rate
• Work closely with the PM and BPS colleagues on budget issues, monitoring and action plans.
• Lead the process for closing of commitments, in collaboration with TTLs, RM and other colleagues at the end of the fiscal year
• Conduct regular analysis of budget data, advise teams on trends and status. Identify budget issues and coordinate reconciliation with BPS colleagues.
• Ensure LARS coordination and TRS monitoring and timely update.

Selection Criteria

• High school diploma with 10 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Operational experience in tasks and systems associated with FCI GP business lines.
• Knowledge of Bank operations, policies and procedures and thorough understanding of the different project cycles for lending, non-lending operations, and country products.
• Sound understanding of Bank policies and practices related to all types of operations, including IPF, DPF, PforR, ASA).
• Solid experience in contract management, budget, and TF/ASA/EFO administration.
• Good knowledge in WPA and budget preparation and monitoring.
• Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with other team members to pursue collective team goals.
• Ability to quickly learn and deliver on new emerging technologies and areas not previously worked on.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information with due discretion, ability to deal tactfully with high-level government officials.
• Resourcefulness and ability to prioritize workload and work well in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced knowledge in WBG applications.
• Clear and concise communication: strong written and verbal communication skills in English. French and/or Portuguese language skills is an advantage.

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.