Senior Executive Assistant

Senior Executive Assistant

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

VPU Context

The Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Region serves twenty two countries across different income groups, of which fourteen are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Afghanistan, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia, and Yemen), with a total of 251 projects and over $51 bn in total commitment. Eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates).  The mission of the region is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. The region attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. The region places high value on diversity. The region is organized into seven Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MNADE).

With an expanded regional strategy, the World Bank aims to help the region weather the current crises, move from stabilization to transformation, unlock its vast economic potential of youth and women, develop its human capital to adapt to global megatrends, and foster innovation (https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd).

Unit Context

The World Bank Mashreq Department (MAP02) is situated at the center of the MENAAP Region, serving four Middle Income Countries (Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon) and 1 IDA country (Syria) which comprise a total population of approximately 160 million. Since the establishment of the department, the Country Management Unit (CMU) has worked to design projects to cater for the specific development needs of the countries through lending, grants, as well as Advisory Services and Analytics. 

Jordan Country Partnership

The Jordan Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2024-2029 is rooted in an understanding of Jordan's diverse economic and development landscapes and built upon the foundation of long-standing partnership.  IFC investments in Jordan have doubled since 2010 and currently represent the second-largest investment portfolio in the region. For MIGA, Jordan is its most diversified and third-largest investment exposure in the region.  Over the past 5 years, IBRD's active portfolio has increased from 4 to 17 projects reaching US$4.5 billion, spanning sectors including education, water, energy, agriculture and job creation. 

The CPF for 2024-2029 takes our partnership to the next level.  It places inclusive green growth at the center and has three high-level interlinked objectives: 1) More and better private sector jobs, especially for youth and women; 2) Improved human capital outcomes; and 3) Increased resilience and sustainability with green investments. The CPF underscores that none of these goals cannot be met without the full engagement and economic participation of women and youth.

For more information on Jordan, please visit: https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/country/jordan

Jordan Country Office

Jordan Country office is quickly becoming a regional sub-hub, housing about 200 staff and consultants.  The office includes several members of the regional management team and hosts internal and external learning events as well as reverse missions from some of the other countries in the CMU. The Senior Executive Assistant will be expected to handle a variety of concurrent activities and competing demands in a fluid, fast-paced and exciting environment.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Senior Executive Assistant responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following duties:

• Perform with a high degree of efficiency, discretion and judgment to provide a wide range of executive assistance to the Divisional Director, especially in the areas of managing priorities and workflow; staff interaction with the Director; screening of all incoming documents; screening, prioritizing and following up on emails and phone calls; and ensuring the smooth delivery of services. 

• Ensure all documents requiring signature are of high quality and adhere to administrative operational guidelines. Routinely prepare correspondence on a range of topics on behalf of the Director and prepare minutes of meetings.

• As the first point of contact for the Director, keep abreast of and maintain sufficient working knowledge of the tasks being performed in each unit, with an ability to independently respond to inquiries and exercise strategic thinking and decision-making skills to address clients within and outside the Bank.

• Use judgment, tact, diplomacy and discretion in answering and/or redirecting inquiries to appropriate sources and in dealing with sensitive or highly confidential matters; make decisions when multiple courses of action are possible.

• Coordinate time management and scheduling on behalf of the Director, including effective prioritization and resolution of related conflicts and competing demands. 

• Gather and collate materials and prepare mission briefing materials and binders for the Director’s meetings and missions. Handle logistics related to the Director’s mission travel. Coordinate logistical planning for meetings and events held in the office or sponsored by the office.

• Support the management team of the Jordan program as well as work collaboratively with others in diverse work groups, teams and task forces.

• Ensure smooth operation of office and administrative support by maintaining and coordinating general office procedures and guidelines and ensuring their dissemination across the function to enable efficiency and consistency. Identify potential areas for improvement and develop solutions in coordination with the support staff of the units supporting the Jordan program.

• Coordinate with Executive Assistants of other offices to ensure alignment with processes and procedures.

• Inspire trust by keeping others informed through timely dissemination of relevant information, reports and updates.

Selection Criteria

Attention: Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants who are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.

• Bachelor’s degree with at least seven years of relevant experience, preferably with international development organizations.

• Ability to process, handle and communicate matters of a sensitive and confidential nature with a high degree of judgment and maturity.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to speak articulately and write clearly, precisely and concisely for various audiences, and strong ability to work within a team environment.

• Excellent organizational, administrative and time management skills with proven ability to work promptly and efficiently under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Ability to shift gears at short notice to work on a wide range of assignments while remaining flexible and effective with a clear understanding of objectives to be achieved.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to reorganize, edit and draft a variety of documents.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to deal tactfully, diplomatically and effectively with internal and external contacts at all levels in a multicultural environment. Demonstrated ability to independently respond to extensive and diverse inquiries and make decisions when multiple courses of action are possible.

Required Competencies

• Technology and Systems Knowledge – Has advanced proficiency in the latest technology relevant to assigned responsibilities. Demonstrates initiative in learning and/or supporting implementation of emerging technologies and systems relevant to effective work of the unit.

• Project and Task Management – Able to organize, coordinate, monitor and implement tasks and projects. Demonstrates ownership and accountability for results. Demonstrates innovation and creativity in promoting effectiveness.

• Institutional Policies, Processes and Procedures – Demonstrates in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of administrative and policy guidelines, practices, products and services in area of assigned functional responsibility; can guide others in complex situations.

• Versatility and Adaptability – Able to anticipate, facilitate and catalyze change in the business environment and accurately assess the need for new skills and knowledge. Demonstrates a continuous learning attitude, supporting others in their learning and change management efforts.

• Office Administration – Able to take responsibility for all aspects of planning, organization, coordination and improvement of the unit’s administrative work distribution in support of the implementation of the unit’s work program.

• Establish and maintain an effective network of contacts both within the Jordan program team and throughout the World Bank Group to ensure effective liaison in support of business needs.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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.