Senior Program Assistant

Senior Program Assistant

Job #:

req34663

Organization:

World Bank

Sector:

Administration/Office Support

Grade:

GD

Term Duration: 4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:

Local Recruitment

Location:

Singapore,Singapore

Required Language(s):

English

Preferred Language(s):

Closing Date:

11/1/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 and promoting shared prosperity. 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. .

East Asia and the Pacific (EAP) Region:

EAP is a large and diverse region, ranging from the Small Island Developing States of the Pacific to Indonesia, The Philippines, and China. Despite substantial economic growth and poverty reduction, the EAP region faces significant development challenges. Growth and poverty reduction have been uneven across and within countries, institutional development needs strengthening, and most countries are having to adapt to affected by climate change. The Bank plays a significant role on infrastructure, biodiversity, water, agriculture, pollution, private sector development, and health. The COVID pandemic, fragmentation in international trade, and increasingly, population aging, are compounding the impact of the global economic slowdown. The World Bank Group is seen as a premier development institution in the Region, with a leadership role on analytical and advisory services as well as financing.

East Asia and the Pacific Region:

Planet Vertical:

The Planet Vertical helps countries tackle their most complex challenges in the areas of Agriculture and Food; Climate Change; Environment, Natural Resources & Blue Economy; Environmental and Social Framework; Social Sustainability and Inclusion; and Water.  The Planet program in EAP includes a lending program of about $1.9 billion for FY26, an active portfolio of 67 operations with $8.1 billion under implementation, and a dynamic program of 45 ASAs across all Planet sectors.  

The EAP Planet Management team includes the Regional Director and seven Practice Managers. 

The selected candidate will report to the EAP Planet Regional Practice Director (RPD).The ideal candidate is an energetic and efficient professional, comfortable working in a front office team setting across a range of functions, is highly familiar with Bank systems and operations, and is motivated to continue professional development in a positive team setting.

The Senior Program Assistant will have the overall responsibility for handling the quality, timeliness and completeness of administrative and support functions in SEADR. S/he is the first point of contact for all issues related to the RPD function and needs to ensure that the front office aligns with Bank administrative procedures and standards. The Senior Program Assistant shall have excellent interpersonal skills, be client and team oriented and contribute to a positive and cohesive work environment.

The Senior Program Assistant also has a leadership role in the department and works closely with the RPD and other members of the Leadership Team in the coordination of  staff (A2D) and in the delivery of the work program. The Senior Program Assistant will monitor the operational work program, identify risks and guide proactive steps to address risk, advise project teams, and take on special assignments as the need arises.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Function with high level of judgment in a wide range of executive assistant to the RPD, especially in the areas of managing priorities, workflow, screening, preparing responses and ensuring smooth delivery of services.

• Responsible for highly proactive time, travel and calendar management for the RPD, including effective prioritization and resolution of related conflicts and competing demands.  Initiates dialogue with the RPD to pro-actively resolve scheduling complexities and conflicts.

• Plan and coordinate the RPD's travel. Ensure that relevant staff member are consulted on the objectives an timing of the RPD's visits to clients and partners, their attendance and active participation at key international conferences, media contacts, interviews, speeches and presentations, and the quality and timely completion of briefing materials.

• In consultation with other colleagues, screens and prioritizes invitations received for the RPD and senior management (e.g. for speaking engagements) and make recommendations to the RPD.

• Ensures quality assurance and operational accuracy of all documents requiring the RPD's signature. Guides staff on official formatting and standard protocol in processing executive correspondence and briefing materials. Works closely with other Program Assistants to ensure all operations-related correspondence conforms with operational guidelines.

• Provides general research support on a range of topics on behalf of RPD utilizing all relevant software programs.  Participates in regular Management Team meetings where requested by the RPD.

• Where requested by the RPD, liaises with senior officials both inside and outside the Bank Group including a wide variety of high-level contacts in government offices, other international organizations, NGOs and the public sector.

• Establishes and maintains contacts with executive assistants of all relevant clients of the RPD and with the executive assistants of the EAP RVP and DSO.

• Independently responds to diverse inquiries and makes decisions when multiple courses of action are possible. Keeps relevant parties informed of actions taken by the RPD by providing pertinent information, reports or status updates.

• Supports the RPD in ensuring that management decisions are properly communicated, carried out and delivered in a timely manner.

• Stays informed on technological developments as introduced by the World Bank Group; makes sure all staff in the RPD's office are informed.

• Demonstrates impeccable standards of integrity when handling confidential material, use tact and sensitivity when resolving delicate issues.

• Works with the program assistants of the global Planet Vertical as needed in order to support the RPD.

• Takes the lead in setting up relevant departmental and managerial meetings for the RPD.

• Takes responsibility for maintaining a high degree of organization and efficiency in the RPD's front office.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor's degree or with at least 8 years of relevant experience, preferably with international development organizations working in an English language environment.

• Previous experience in effectively managing or supervising staff will be a plus.

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

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

• Ability and willingness to work with a diverse set of colleagues, cooperating and working seamlessly with all key members of the EAP VPU, Planet VPU and the CMU management teams.

• 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, remaining flexible and effective with a clear understanding of objectives to be achieved.

• Demonstrated initiative, and drive for results including ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines.

Note - Only applicants who are nationals, legal residents, or otherwise have legal presence in the duty station independent of any employer, and who are authorized to work in the duty station, will be considered.

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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