Program Assistant Job #: req32828 Organization: World Bank Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GC Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Ouagadougou,Burkina Faso Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): French Closing Date: 5/2/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a truly worthwhile career? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their most significant 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 extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 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 www.worldbank.org
Background / General description
The World Bank, Burkina Faso Country Office requires a highly organized and energized professional who can operate effectively and discreetly as a team assistant in a very demanding, fast-paced, and culturally diverse environment.
Duties and Accountabilities
The successful candidate will work under the supervision of the Country Manager and will provide Administrative and client support. The job implies frequent interaction with other Units, IFC, MIGA, and other institutional units, staff in other locations (locally and internationally), Government officials, consultants, and external organizations.
Operational and administrative support:
The selected candidate will be assigned to support a set of sectors, as well as for tasks associated to the Unit’s overall work program for which ad-hoc support may be needed from time to time.
The Program Assistant will be expected to:
• The selected candidate will be assigned to support a set of sectors, as well as for tasks associated to the Unit’s overall work program for which ad-hoc support may be needed from time to time. The Program Assistant will be expected to:
• Work on interpreting existing procedures and processes, independently determine which should be used, and apply these appropriately.
• Extensively coordinate with other World Bank Group (WBG) units, and frequently liaison with team members regardless of location, and with external counterparts.
• Provide primary assistance in the implementation of the unit's work program, including some specialized support in a specific area(s), e.g. task management, procurement, database management, knowledge management, information technology, etc.
• Work regularly and substantially in more than one language, to include translating/drafting a variety of standard documents, applying effective proofreading and grammar skills in English.
• Identify and resolve diverse issues/problems as they arise, while following and independently applying existing procedures and processes.
• Suggest ways to enhance work organization and effectiveness.
• Exercise quality enhancement function for project and other documents by ensuring adherence to departmental, Vice-President Unit (VPU) and institutional guidelines.
• Participate in developing project/product timelines, using appropriate software.
• Attend meetings, draft minutes, and ensure timely clearance and distribution.
• Serve as an information resource on status of project/products (e.g. procurement, disbursement, audit, trust fund/co-financing, and legal issues) and draft a variety of standard project-related correspondences.
• Monitor task budget/trust funds for specific projects on behalf of the team.
• Undertake ad hoc inquiries in standard and non-standard databases, retrieves, manipulates and presents data.
• Participate in mission field work as required.
• Coordinate schedules taking priorities into account, monitor changes, and communicate the information to appropriate staff, inside and outside the immediate work unit, including officials outside the WBG.
• Assist in preparation and logistical planning for various events, e.g. conferences, workshops, negotiations, etc.
• Maintain current distribution lists, phone/address lists of project/product contacts, and distribute documents for the team.
• Maintain up-to-date work unit project and other files (both paper and electronic).
• Responsible for front desk operations, including welcoming visitors, directing clients to various parts of the office, coordinating with employees regarding visitors, managing phone calls and messages, handling mail distribution, and dispatching incoming and outgoing correspondences.
• Responsible for submitting travel requests, following up on approvals, and arranging bookings through designated office travel agent.
• Mentor less experienced staff.
• Undertake ad-hoc assignments and provide support to other staff in the unit as required.
Selection Criteria
• Bachelor’s degree with 4 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Prior experience in administration assistance in multi-national or international organization is preferred.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, including ability independently draft a variety of formal and informal correspondence; to proofread/edit materials.
• Effective time management and organizational skills
• Ability to retrieve reference materials from various sources (e.g. databases or other filing systems, Internet, etc.)
• Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness.
• Proven ability to build relationship and interact positively with senior counterparts in the public and private sectors.
• Committed team player with good inter-personal skills and ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to produce high-quality work under pressure.
Applications should be sent in English.
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.