Program Assistant
| Job #: | req37460 |
| Organization: | World Bank Group |
| Sector: | Administration/Office Support |
| Grade: | GC |
| Term Duration: | 3 years 0 months |
| Recruitment Type: | Local Recruitment |
| Location: | Washington, DC,United States |
| Required Language(s): | English |
| Preferred Language(s): | Spanish, French |
| Closing Date: | 7/17/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC |
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions driven by a bold vision to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, we help solve the world’s greatest development challenges. When you join the World Bank Group, you become part of a dynamic, diverse organization with 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide. We work with public and private sector partners, invest in groundbreaking projects, and use data, research, and technology to bring tangible and transformative change around the globe. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
VPU Context: Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital and AI Vertical Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams support client countries in building their capacities for digital transformation and AI use. The WBG Digital and AI Vertical is led by a Vice President and was established in July 2024. WBG recently published its Digital and AI Strategy which includes four pillars: access, affordability, ecosystem and AI readiness. The strategy identifies the priorities that WBG will engage across the client segment over the next five years. The implementation plan is currently under preparation.
The Vertical will deploy a range of products, services, and partnerships to advance global knowledge across the four pillars of the Strategy through:
• Supporting World Bank regions that provide financing to governments in the form of grants, loans, guarantees, and risk management products to support digital investment projects and implement policy reforms.
• Supporting World Bank regions that provide advisory services including targeted policy guidance, technical assistance, and capacity building.
• Knowledge products include data and diagnostics to provide actionable insights at regional, country, and local levels, research and thought leadership to expand the global knowledge base, as well as thematic operational toolkits.
• Convening services that bring together key stakeholders, from both public and private sectors as well as international and non-governmental organizations involved in advancing global digital transformation.
For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/topic/digital-and-ai
Unit Context: Within the Knowledge Bank, the Digital Access team (WKDAX) leads work on foundational digital infrastructure and affordability, focusing on knowledge generation, solution design, and the scaling of proven approaches across regions and country programs.
Duties and Accountabilities: The Program Assistant will provide the full range of office/administrative support to the unit’s manager and staff including, but are not limited to the following:
• Perform full range of office support work within the unit as well as some specialized support (e.g., Admin Portal, e-consultant, database management, major event/course planning, HR support, etc.), as needed.
• Assist in organizing meetings (including conference calls and video conferences), workshops/conferences, including handling administrative and logistic arrangements, preparing and assembling meeting materials.
• Support the processing and monitoring of ASAs, trust funds, and other IBRD and IFC operational workstreams including creating system documents, leading preparation of reporting, and ensuring compliance with deadlines, policy, and fiduciary requirements.
• Help manage project, trust fund, and unit budgets including preparing reports, correcting and reposting charges, supporting time sheet submissions and revisions, and coordinating with Finance and other departments.
• Manage workflows in various WBG operational and financial systems including AdminPortal, SBS, RFX, Travel, Standard Reports, SAP, etc.
• Provide assistance with formatting documents, preparation of reports, meeting documents etc. using the Bank’s required standard format, formatting complex graphs and tables for reports.
• SAP transactions – creation of contracts and payment requests, enter trip requests and trip cost statements for consultants and, on exceptional basis, for staff.
• Maintain and update Outlook distribution lists, office space, supplies equipment, software inventory, unit’s and/or unit databases/spreadsheets and service accounts if applicable.
• Interpret existing procedures and processes, independently determine which should be used, and apply these appropriately.
• Providing Back-up support for other ACS colleagues as and when needed.
Selection Criteria
• Must have a high school diploma and minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; undergraduate college degree preferred.
• Excellent office support and organizational skills, including being proactive and demonstrating the ability to prioritize and deliver assignments in a timely manner, often under severe time pressure.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English, including ability independently draft a variety of formal and informal correspondence; to proofread/edit materials using proper grammar, punctuation and style.
• Superior interpersonal and diplomacy skills including demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented and multi-cultural environment.
• High degree of judgment, tact, integrity and diplomacy, substantial expertise in dealing with confidential data and frequent sensitive and confidential information within a large international institution.
• Demonstrated ability to function under time pressure and to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment of changing priorities.
• Proactive attitude, a self-starter, outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work with staff at all levels (inside and outside the World Bank Group), with demonstrated ability to respond and deal effectively with diverse situations using good judgment, tact and diplomacy.
• Good knowledge and understanding of administrative/operational procedures applicable to the Bank/IFC and ability to independently propose interpretation and application of such procedures.
• Good functional knowledge and understanding of the World Bank institution and, preferably, its priorities, policies, operational and administrative procedures, and people.
• Able to undertake diverse and complex assignments with minimal supervision and resolve competing demands. Demonstrates good organizational skills, can plan and prioritize own work.
• Demonstrates relevant functional knowledge and understanding of institutional priorities, policies, operational and administrative procedures.
• Demonstrates initiative and motivation to proactively learn new developments in relevant policies, procedures and technology. Is able proactively identify, prevent and/or solve problems. Able to participate in changes of activities and initiatives.
• Excellent hands-on experience in applications such as Microsoft Office (including Excel), Outlook, Admin Portal.
• Willingness and flexibility to work overtime, including weekends, if required.
• Show great willingness for teamwork as administrative staff functions as a fully integrated team, able to share all information and tasks.
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.
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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.