Address
Form of workSpecial Assistant to Regional Vice President
Job #:req25893Organization:World BankSector:OtherGrade:GGTerm Duration: 4 years 0 monthsRecruitment Type:International RecruitmentLocation:Washington, DC,United StatesRequired Language(s):English, ArabicPreferred Language(s):FrenchClosing Date:2/8/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
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. Visit www.worldbank.org.
Regional Context
Countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region confront a vast array of development challenges, from an uncertain and uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic to the implications of decelerating global economy, deepening geopolitical divisions, protracted regional conflicts, and climate change. These overlapping crises are amplified by longstanding structural relating to economic governance that contribute to an outsized presence of the state in the economy, high unemployment rates among women and youth, and limited intraregional trade and investment.
Overcoming these challenges will allow MENA countries to realize their vast development potential, endowed as the region is with a rapidly growing and highly educated population, geo-strategic location, and abundance of renewable energy potential. To unlock this potential, the World Bank is advancing inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development through a two-pronged strategy that seeks to respond to sudden and severe crises while supporting reforms that spur structural transformation and job creation, advance gender equity, strengthen regional cooperation, and accelerate green transitions. This strategy is operationalized through a differentiated approach that reflects the distinct circumstances of the World Bank's clients in the region, comprising 20 countries that range from active IBRD borrowers and IDA recipients to recipients of reimbursable advisory services and non-active countries with whom the Bank maintains a policy dialogue.
For more information about the MNA Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena
The MENA Region emphasizes strong client orientation and responsiveness; innovation and high quality; results; teamwork and collaboration across sectors; and a dedication to attracting and developing a diverse and talented staff.
For this position, the World Bank's MENA region consists primarily of the Front Office of the Regional Vice President (including the Director of Strategy and Operations (DSO), Development Effectiveness Manager, Special Assistant to the Vice President, Senior Operations Officer, Program Analyst, Senior Executive Assistant and Program Assistant), the Chief Economist, 5 Country Management Units, 4 Regional Directorships, and close linkages with People and Culture (HR), Resource Management, and Corporate Security. More broadly, the MENA region consists of nearly 600 full-time staff. In FY23, the MENA region delivered $4.7 billion in IBRD, $561 million in IDA, $80 million in special financing for the West Bank and Gaza, $9 million in reimbursable advisory services, and 107 knowledge products for clients.
As a central member of the Front Office Team, the Special Assistant of the Regional Vice President will contribute to the Bank's core mission of poverty reduction and development in the MENA Region. S/he will work directly with, and report to, the incoming Regional Vice President.
Note: 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.
Duties and Accountabilities
S/he will assist the Regional Vice President in his execution of the Front Office responsibilities with regards to the following areas of work:
- Provide proactive support to the RVP and liaise with other members of the RLT, RMT and other units in the Bank, on strategy, operational and administrative issues
- Manage the RVP's agenda in close cooperation with the FO team: prioritizing and preparing the RVP for events and presentations, including writing or editing/coordinating speeches and talking points
- Manage RLT and RMT agendas in coordination with the DSO
- Coordinate brief preparation and review, memos and correspondence for senior management
- Review briefs and oversee regional events for the Annual and Spring Meetings, in cooperation with CDs, DSO, Office of the Chief Economist, and ECR
- Support preparation of RLT and RMT retreats in cooperation with the DSO
- Support production of briefing books for RVP travel
- Liaise with the Country Directors, CPCs and CMU staff
- Liaise with the offices of the President, the Managing Directors and other Vice Presidents as needed
- Liaise with IFC and MIGA, including for joint retreats
- Facilitate relations with the Board of Executive Directors
- Perform ad hoc tasks necessary for the smooth functioning and effectiveness of the Front Office in cooperation with the DSO
Selection Criteria
- The candidate must hold a Master's degree with proven skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis, and at least 8 years of experience, with a good track record in a similar high-pressure environment.
The candidate must also have the following competencies and background:
- Personal Skills
- 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 write quickly and concisely on a variety of topics in a well-structured manner and synthesize complex issues and substantial documentation into effective oral and written briefs and talking points.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments, in order to prioritize interventions and adjust to changes in schedule, juggle concurrent tasks effectively and efficiently, and work with very tight deadlines.
- Quick learner and able to anticipate a wide range of issues and situations; problem solving and results mindset; track record of delivering high quality work.
- Operational Skills
- Good understanding of the Bank Group's internal and external operating environment.
- Sound operational experience, including knowledge of Bank Group instruments, policies, programs, and procedures, and ability to apply them in day-to-day work.
- Project management experience: excellent workflow management and task organization skills; able to anticipate and take responsibility for all aspects of coordination of the workflow, to identify the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and to find solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables.
- Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Gathers inputs, assesses risk, identifies relevant policy issues and trade-offs, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term, and provide appropriate recommendations.
- Collaborative Skills
- High degree of ethics, discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with others, raising challenging questions in a constructive manner and in handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Interpersonal, diplomatic and partnership skills required for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with Board officials, management, and other stakeholders, including maintaining client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions.
- Strong proclivity for teamwork including an open and collegial work style and a high energy level and showing leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.
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.
