Program Assistant(Relocation Focal Point and Protocol Coordinator) Job #: req34447 Organization: World Bank Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GC Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Riyadh,Saudi Arabia Required Language(s): Arabic; English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 10/8/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Attention: 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.
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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.orgย
Regional 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).ย 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/region/mena).
Country Management Unit Context:
The World Bankโs Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Country Management Unit (CMU) is the principal liaison between the World Bank and the six Arab States of the GCC, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The GCC Country Department manages the relationship with the GCC countries and GCC regional development organizations, working closely with the WBG technical departments to provide advisory and technical services. The GCC Country Department is managed through six offices: a Regional Office in Riyadh, KSA, Country Offices in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi UAE, Muscat Oman, Doha Qatar, and an HQ unit in the World Bank HQ in Washington, D.C.
The Program Assistant will join the Regional MENAAP World Bank Group Hub Office in Riyadh, a vibrant regional office that manages a growing portfolio of advisory and knowledge services, working in close partnership with government and private sector institutions in Saudi Arabia, the GCC countries, and the MENAAP region. The office houses the regional VP, regional practice directors, a diverse team of local and international sector specialists and operations support staff. The World Bank team includes a Program Manager, specialists that represent the four World Bank Verticals (Prosperity, Planet, People, Infrastructure/Digital), a Senior Knowledge Officer, and a Senior Communications Officer for the World Bank. The office also includes a team from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Agency (MIGA) โ working together with the World Bank as one World Bank Group team. The office manages a wide array of strategic and results-oriented activities that support the achievement of the Vision 2030 and the governmentโs longer-term goals. The team also supports the regional management team and the organization of regional activities and events in Riyadh.
The World Bankโs GCC Country Department: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/gcc
The Program Assistant will be based in Riyadh to support the RAS program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The World Bankโs GCC Country Department: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/gcc
Roles & Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Regional Hub Office Manager, the key roles and responsibilities include the following:
โข Coordinate with Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, The KSA Police, and other government agencies to facilitate services and protocols in support of WBG staff traveling to KSA on mission or relocating to Riyadh.
โข Serve as the relocation focal point for the growing regional office in Riyadh.
Develop a close and trusted working relationship with technical counterparts at key ministries to facilitate seamless issuance of travel and immigration documents.
โข Process visa requests for visiting missions and relocating staff and families.
โข Manage office logistics, including moves and transitions, and recommend system improvements.
โข Facilitate settling in, including organizing drivers licenses, helping with opening of commercial bank accounts, and coordinating with the regional relocation team on any additional support needed.
โข Handle logistics for high-level visits in coordination with relevant staff, including protocols at the airport to ensure smooth arrival and departure.
โข In close coordination with the Program Manager and the Senior Program Assistant, facilitate protocols and logistics for high-level visits and missions to Riyadh.
โข Train colleagues as back-ups for protocol tasks and support team collaboration.
โข Provide quality control of internal and external documents, reviews documents for accuracy and adherence with World Bank guidelines and procedures.
โข Assist in drafting, editing, formatting, and production of documents and correspondence.
โข Coordinate schedules taking priority into account, monitor changes, and communicate the information to staff inside and outside the immediate work unit, including officials outside the bank.
โข Solve non-routine problems and responds to requests requiring research to address query at hand.
โข Provide assistance at various levels in organizing meetings, conference calls, video conferences, workshops, conferences, including handling administrative and logistic arrangements, preparing and assembling meeting materials, sending out invitations, and follow-up. Build a database of participants and draft event reports, etc.
โข Coordinate travel requests for consultants if necessary.ย
โข Assist with coordination of mission agendas as needed and manage logistics requests for the visiting missions of the units.
โข Maintain current distribution lists, phone/addresses list of project/product contacts, and distribute documents for relevant task teams to the main data.
โข Maintain up-to-date work unit project and other files (both paper and electronic).
โข Handle bookings for business travels; obtain tickets from the travel agency, request visas for staff.
โข Collaborate with other team members and contribute productively to the teamโs work and output.ย
โข Generate reports as needed.
โข Assist with any other administrative and operational matters in the MENAAP Hub office in Riyadh.
โข Back-up other colleagues in the office when needed.
Selection Criteria
Education/Experience
โข Minimum education: Bachelorโs degreeย
โข Minimum of 2-5 years of relevant experience
Required Competencies
โข Technology and systems knowledge โ Demonstrate 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 in technology.
โข Project and task management - Exhibit good organizational, problem-solving, analytical skills and ability to work competently with minimal supervision. Demonstrate attention to detail and quality. Has ability to manage multiple tasks and complete tasks within agreed schedule.
โข Institutional policies, processes, and procedures - Demonstrate knowledge of own departmentโs programs and products, know key players, understand own role. Display understanding of WB policies and procedures relevant to the area of assigned responsibilities and can apply/ implement them.
โข Versatility and adaptability - Demonstrate flexibility and is receptive to the implementation of new solutions. Is willing to stretch own capability. Demonstrate motivation to avail and adapt oneself to effecting change.
โข Client Orientation - Exhibit good communication skills, positive and professional client service attitude; understands clientsโ needs and complete them professionally.
โข Learning, knowledge sharing and communication - Able to write clearly, edit and proofread draft communications. Able to learn and share knowledge/information across the unit.
โข Business judgment and analytical decision making - Able to manage information and support retention and disposition of information and records. Able to search, report, and deliver basic information from various sources and independently respond to basic inquiries.
โข Drive for Results - Able to take personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results and has the personal organization to do so.
โข Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Collaborate with other team members and contributes productively to the teamโs work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view.
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 theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.