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 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
Niger is part of the AWCW3 Country Management Unit (CMU) which include also Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali where the Country Director, the operations Manager, and three program leaders are located. AWCW3 provides a range of financial, knowledge and convening services to help address the countries’ most complex development issues.
The World Bank’s CMU for Niger (AWMNE) responsibilities include country strategy formulation and implementation, portfolio management, policy dialogue, and country relations. Ongoing operations cover almost all development sectors and through them, the World Bank Group in Niger is pursuing its mission of reducing extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity.
The AWMNE Team is looking for a highly organized, energized and experienced person capable of operating effectively in a multicultural environment, to serve as Program Assistant. The Program Assistant will provide administrative, logistical, and operational support to the Unit. The successful candidate is expected to work under the leadership of the Country Manager and Sr. Operations Officer, and under the supervision of the Executive Assistant. Given the high visibility of the Country Program and the substantial interaction required of the team with internal interlocutors (including WB Senior Management) and external interlocutors (including Government, other Donors, Civil society), demonstrated maturity, excellent communication skills, and ability to work independently are paramount.
Role and Responsibilities
The selected candidate will be assigned to support a set of sectors as well as the Unit’s overall work program for which ad-hoc support may be needed from time to time.
Operational and administrative support:
The Program Assistant duties and accountabilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Provide substantive administrative and operational support to task teams to deliver high quality products in compliance with Bank policies and procedures to include task management, database management, editing, knowledge management and event/conference planning, as well as full range of operational support on the work program in all aspects of project preparation and implementation.
• Draft, edit and translate routine correspondence applying effective proofreading and grammar skills in English and/or French with high quality and writing standards, maintain up-to-date work unit project files and efficient filing of working documents (paper and electronic).
• Provide specialized support for task management, major event planning and logistics, travel arrangements, participate in mission field work as required and assist in preparation and planning for various events (e.g. conferences, workshops, negotiations, signings or equivalent events), submit travel requests, follow up on approvals, and arrange bookings through designated office travel agent.
• Monitor project portfolio, task budget/trust funds, update Operations Portal milestones, and liaise with TTLs and portfolio staff to ensure that deliverable deadlines are met.
• Handle incoming and outgoing written & verbal communications with clients and Government partners and effectively answer internal and external queries on the assigned sectors and 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.
• 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 and French.
• Proactively make appropriate linkages in work requirements, anticipate next steps and Co-ordinate with service units, and liaise frequently with team members both in Washington and in the Country Office
• Arrange working schedule and meetings with counterparts for the virtual/visiting teams, attend meetings, draft minutes and ensure timely clearance and distribution, and serve as a back-up to other staff (Executive/ Program / Team Assistants) on project and administrative tasks when needed.
• Identify and resolve diverse issues/problems as they arise, while following and independently applying existing procedures and processes.
• Mentor less experienced staff.
• Undertake ad-hoc assignments and provide support to other staff in the unit as required
Selection Criteria
Preference will be given to suitable candidates with:
• Associate degree or Plus (in Business Administration, Office Management, Project Management, or in related fields).
• At least 3 years of direct relevant experience in a large International or service or Private Sector Organization in a Country Office administration support.
• Excellent command of written and spoken French and English, including ability independently draft a variety of formal and informal correspondence; to proofread/edit materials.
• Familiarity with Bank procedures and guidelines, especially those pertaining to project processing and the project cycle.
• Resourcefulness with a strong ability to provide her (is) own structure and focus to work as well as take immediate and independent action to address issues.
• Ability to produce high-quality work under pressure and willingness to take up additional ad-hoc responsibilities other than duties directly related to this position whenever needed.
• Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness.
• Proven ability to build relationship and interact positively with senior counterparts in the public and private sectors, in French and English.
• Committed team player with good inter-personal skills and ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
Competencies
• Technology and systems knowledge – Demonstrates advanced knowledge and experience working with Microsoft office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.). Has ability and willingness to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills as technology
• Project and task management – Exhibits good organizational, problem-solving skills and ability to work competently with minimal supervision. Demonstrates attention to detail and quality. Has ability to manage multiple tasks and complete tasks within agreed schedule.
• Institutional policies, processes, and procedures – Demonstrates knowledge of own department’s programs and products, knows key players, understands own role. Displays understanding of WB Job Details policies and procedures relevant to the area of assigned responsibilities and is able to apply/implement them.
• Versatility and adaptability – Demonstrates flexibility and is receptive to the implementation of new solutions. Is willing to stretch own capability. Demonstrates motivation to avail and adapt oneself to effecting change.
• Client Orientation – Exhibits positive and professional client service attitude; is able to understand clients’ needs and complete them professionally.
• Drive for Results – Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results and has the personal organization to do so.
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion – Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team’s work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view.
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication – Has good knowledge of official unit’s language(s). Able to write clearly, edit and proofread draft communications. Able learn and share knowledge/information across the unit.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making – Able to manage information and support retention and disposition of information and records. Can search, report, and deliver basic information from various sources and independently respond to basic inquiries.
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.
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