Senior Executive Assistant Job #: req33851 Organization: World Bank Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GD Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English, Spanish Preferred Language(s): Portuguese, French Closing Date: 8/5/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
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 130 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, please visit www.worldbank.org
Latin America and the Caribbean (LCR) Region
The WBG serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to one fragile state. Despite immense resources, dynamic societies, and an average annual per capita income of about $4,000, deep inequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter of the Region's people living in poverty. The last Bank's strategy for LCR focused on three pillars: (a) supporting the foundations for inclusive growth; (b) investing in human capital and protecting the poor; and (c) building resilience. In the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic, this strategy will need to be adjusted to better support the countries deal with a health crisis without precedents and an economic crisis not seen since modern statistical records started in 1900. Yet, the basic elements of the strategy: accelerating growth (following a projected GDP contraction in 2020 of 7.2%), investing in human capital, including in health (in the most affected region by COVID19), and building resilience appear fully relevant.
Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR)ย https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/lac
The Senior Executive Assistant (SEA) plays an important role in supporting the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Vice-President (LCRVP) and Director, Strategy and Operations (DSO) in close collaboration with the Special Assistant to LCRVP and other team members of the LCRVP Front Office in delivering LCRVP's overall work program. He/she reports to LCRVP and DSO and is expected to work closely with the Front Office team.
Given the small size of the front office, it's crucial to emphasize that skills are as important as the right attitude and interpersonal qualities. The chosen candidate should not only have the necessary expertise but also embody qualities aligned with the collaborative and dynamic nature of the team and office environment.
The selected candidate must be prepared for a highly demanding role, promptly responding to the Vice President and DSOโs requests, and navigating a dynamic work environment with agility. Unwavering dedication and the ability to stay connected to meet the role's demands effectively are essential.
For this position, the World Bankโs LCR region consists primarily of the Front Office of the Regional Vice President (including the Director of Strategy and Operations, Development Effectiveness Manager, Special Assistant to the Vice President, Senior Operations Officers, Senior Executive Assistant and Senior Program Assistant, the Chief Economist, 6 Country Management Units (including 5 WBG Joint Country Representations), 4 Regional Directorships, and close linkages with Human Resources (HR), Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Plan (BPS), and Corporate Security. More broadly, the LCR region consists of nearly 857 full-time staff. In FY25, the LCR region delivered $12.4 billion in IBRD, $1.1 million in IDA, and 102 knowledge products for clients.
Duties and Responsibilities
The LCR Vice Presidency seeks a seasoned Senior Executive Assistant to join a highly collaborative team in the Front Office of the Regional Vice President. The incumbent will be a key member of the LCRVP Front Office (FO), with responsibility for assisting and supporting the incoming Regional Vice President (RVP) and the DSO. The role requires extensive demonstrated experience in similar roles, the ability to anticipate needs, a positive, can-do attitude, and the highest level of discretion.
The selected candidate will play a vital role in seamlessly supporting the FO team in close collaboration with the DSO, Special Assistant, and other team members. The candidate must possess key skills such as emotional intelligence, high levels of attention to detail, a proactive mindset, discretion, diplomacy, strong teamwork abilities, and proficiency in prioritization, organization, and task monitoring. The ideal candidate should demonstrate the ability to plan ahead, remain flexible, and showcase resourcefulness. Demonstrated sound judgment, strong writing skills and excellent technology skills are essential.
Given the intimate size of the office, it's crucial to emphasize that skills are as important as the right attitude and interpersonal qualities. The chosen candidate should not only have the necessary expertise but also embody qualities aligned with the collaborative and dynamic nature of the team and office environment.
The selected candidate must be prepared for a highly demanding role, promptly responding to the Vice President's requests and navigating a dynamic work environment with agility. Unwavering dedication and the ability to stay connected to meet the role's demands effectively are essential.
Furthermore, this role involves taking on a leadership role within the VPU's A2D team, requiring a self-motivated individual capable of thriving in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
Responsibilities: Specifically, the Sr. Executive Assistant responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
โข Provides all-encompassing administrative support to the RVP, working closely with the RVP, DSO, Special Assistant and other Front Office staff members, to ensure efficient workflow and operation of the office;
โข In conjunction with DSO, ensures work priorities, procedures, and administrative systems for the LCRVP's office are followed;
โข Manages the RVP's calendar, prioritizing effective time management; work with the Special Assistant ensuring the relevant briefing notes and background materials for meetings are included.ย Independently formats correspondence, meeting briefs and trip briefs. Coordinates closely and steps in as needed on the DSO calendar as well.
โข Ensures quality and timeliness of administrative information emanating from the Front Office; ensures adherence to timeline and quality and formatting guidelines for submitting meeting and trip briefs, correspondence to the RVP, President's office, Managing Directors offices.
โข Liaising closely with the members in the Offices of the President, Managing Directors, Vice Presidents, Executive Directors, and SEC as necessary to facilitate coordination of meetings, activities, and approvals.
โข Maintaining an effective network of contacts (inside and outside of the unit), to ensure effective cooperation in support of the LCRVPUโs needs.
โข Provide primary support to RVPโs Front Office to ensure successful delivery of Spring Meetings and Annual Meetings bilateral meetings, events and media engagements. In close coordination with the Special Assistant, supports the preparation of minutes and summaries of meetings which the RVP and DSO attend.
โข Independently decides and follows through on appropriate dissemination of information to staff by sharing reports, status updates and other information as necessary.
โข Arrange all aspects of RVPโs travel schedules (flight/hotel reservations, visa requests, etc.) in close coordination with the RVP and Special Assistant.
โข Working closely with the Special Assistant, screens incoming correspondence and phone calls, with input from RVP or DSO, as appropriate, using judgment, tact, diplomacy and discretion in either answering or redirecting inquiries to appropriate sources and in dealing with highly sensitive and confidential matters or making independent decisions when multiple courses of actions are required;
โข Supporting with HR related activities, including approvals, logistics, and communications.
โข Serves as A2D-level contact and liaison for an extensive network, at the most senior levels (i.e., President, Managing Directors, Executive Directors, government counterparts and clients etc.);
โข Undertakes ad hoc duties as assigned by the RVP, DSO and the Special Assistant to ensure operation of all aspects of the LCRVP office. As the Front Office administrative point of contact for the Directors, stays on top of and maintains sufficient working knowledge of the tasks being performed in each unit with an ability to independently respond to inquiries and exercise critical thinking and decision-making skills to address clients within and outside the Bank.
โข Represents LCR A2D colleagues in the A2D Council; provides leadership for LCR ACS staff; provides advice to LCRVP on A2D career development and learning. Administers and coordinates the A2D work arrangement in the Front Office, with fully functioning backups. Collaborates with the other Program Assistants, and Executive Assistants throughout LCR to contribute to a friendly and supportive yet business-oriented work environment for A2D staff in LCR.
โข TRS Coordinator: handle LARS and TRS issues and provide general support to staff as needed.
Selection Criteria
โข Minimum requirements: High school diploma (Bachelorโs degree preferred) and ten years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
โข Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communications skills; maturity and ability to interact responsively and thoughtfully with staff at all levels, with demonstrated good judgment and discretion.
โข Experience in dealing with senior officials both within and outside the Bank, experience or exposure as a Senior Executive Assistant is advantageous.
โข Proven track record and ability to ensure total discretion, confidentiality and strong personal ethics.
โข Strong English and Spanish language skills (verbal and written), including the ability to draft and edit a variety of correspondence and ensure quality of written outputs and clarity of message. Fluency in Portuguese and/or French is preferred.
โข Proven ability to promote and work in a team-focused environment and pitch in to fill gaps when needed.
โข Demonstrated proactivity, sound judgment, and problem-solving skills in dealing with unexpected situations, often under pressure.
โข A proven track record in areas such as judgment, reliability, resourcefulness and flexibility. Strategic and with good emotional intelligence.
โข Positive demeanor, self-starter and able to maintain composure under pressure.
โข Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask and judge priorities under tight timelines.
โข Ability to guide, coach, train and advise more junior A2D staff.
โข Substantial experience in the Bank and in-depth knowledge of World Bank processes, policies and procedures, particularly institution-wide quality assurance and decision-making functions.
โข Excellent office technology skills, in particular: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SAP, Internet Explorer, including managing AI tools.
โข Willingness and flexibility to work overtime on short notice and as needed.
โข Willingness to extend him/herself to meet deadlines.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful 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.