Special Assistant to Regional Vice President

Special Assistant to Regional Vice President

Job #:
req32393

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
Operations

Grade:
GG

Term Duration:
4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English, French

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:
4/3/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Western and Central Africa:

Western and Central Africa is a vast region with diverse cultures, beliefs, languages, and lifestyles. Stretching from the westernmost point of Africa, across the equator, and partly along the Atlantic Ocean till the Republic of Congo in the South, it encompasses 22 countries that spread across semi-arid areas in the Sahel, large coastal areas on the Atlantic Ocean and along the Gulf of Guinea and tropical forest covering many countries from Guinea to the Republic of Congo, through Cte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Gabon.

Home to about half a billion people, the sub-region has seen its population multiplied by 4 in the last 50 years. The population is mostly concentrated in the coastal areas, while landlocked countries generally experience lower density. The region has experienced accelerated urbanization, with cities hosting 48% of the population. With 12% of its population being under the age of 15, Western and Central Africa has one of the youngest populations in the world.

Read more: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa

Unit Context:

The Office of the Vice President is a dynamic unit that requires professional excellence and a commitment to teamwork. As a central member of the Front Office Team, the Special Assistant of the Regional Vice President will have the opportunity to contribute to the Bank's core mission of poverty reduction and development in the Africa. S/he will work directly with the Regional Vice President. Frequent travel is expected.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The Special Assistant will assist the Regional Vice President in his execution of the Front Office responsibilities in the following areas:

• Provide proactive support to the RVP and liaise with other members of the SLT, RMT and other units in the Bank, on strategy, operational and other issues
• Managing the RVP's agenda in cooperation with the FO team: prioritizing and preparing the RVP for events and presentations, including writing or editing/coordinating speeches and talking points
• Prepare, review, and revise RVP announcements, memos/correspondence for senior management, briefs and technical and operational responses ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with the corporate standards
• Organizing RVP travel, supporting production of briefing books, and joining RVP travel as needed
• Liaise with the Country Directors, SOOs and CMU staff
• Liaise with the offices of the President, the Managing Directors and the Senior Vice President as needed
• Reviewing briefs and overseeing regional events for the Annual and Spring Meetings, in cooperation with Strategy and Operations, Regional Programs, Office of the Chief Economist, and ECR.
• Supporting preparation of SLT and RMT retreats
• Facilitating Relations with the Board of Executive Directors
• Ad hoc tasks necessary for the smooth functioning and effectiveness of the Front Office.

Selection Criteria

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely; able to engage in coherent dialogue with key stakeholders
• Strong analytical and integrative skills; able to synthesize complex issues and substantial documentation into effective oral and written briefs.
• Project management experience; able to demonstrate good judgment and prioritize multiple demands, often arising on short notice
• High degree of ethics, discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with others and in handling confidential and sensitive information.
• Demonstrates self-initiative, can learn quickly and anticipate a wide range of issues and situations; maintains a problem solving and results mindset; track record of delivering high quality work
• Understanding of the Bank Group's internal and external operating environment. Sound operational experience, including knowledge of Bank Group policies, programs, and procedures.
• Interpersonal, diplomatic and partnership skills required for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with Board officials, management, and other stakeholders.
• Tact and discretion to deal with sensitive issues and raise challenging questions in a constructive manner.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to write quickly and concisely on a variety of topics in a well-structured manner.
• Strong problem solving and team working skills, in order to prioritize interventions, identify relevant policy issues and trade-offs, and provide appropriate recommendations.
• Excellent workflow management and task organization skills; able to anticipate and take responsibility for all aspects of coordination of the workflow.
• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments, adjust to changes in schedule and priorities, juggle concurrent tasks effectively and efficiently, and work with very tight deadlines.
• Strong proclivity for teamwork including an open and collegial work style and a high energy level.

This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

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.