Senior Program Assistant at the World Bank

Job Title: Senior Program Assistant

COUNTRY CONTEXT

Nigeria is critical to the World Bank Group’s (WBG) twin goals of eradicating global extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. A multi-ethnic and diverse federation of 36 autonomous states, Nigeria is already Africa’s largest country, with over 200 million people, and Africa’s largest economy. With its abundance of resources, a young and entrepreneurial population, and a dynamic private sector, Nigeria has the potential to be a giant on the global stage.

At the same time, with over 40 percent of its population living in poverty, Nigeria has the second largest population of poor in the world and real per-capita incomes are about the same level today as they were four decades ago. The economy and public finances continue to be highly vulnerable to oil shocks, and not enough jobs are being created for the 3.5 million young Nigerians coming of working age every year. To provide economic opportunities for its growing population, Nigeria needs to unlock private investment and job creation, and further the structural transformation and diversification of its economy.

PROGRAM AND UNIT CONTEXT

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Nigeria, a blend country eligible for both IBRD and IDA financing, has the largest country allocation under IDA20 and the third-largest IDA-IBRD portfolio with approximately USD 14.6 billion in active commitments across 29 projects. Approximately 70% of this portfolio is implemented by states under multi-state platforms. A new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) was approved in December 2020 to guide the World Bank Group’s support to Nigeria from FY21-FY25, anchored in several core engagements that combine large-scale financing with upstream policy, advisory and institutional strengthening ASA-based initiatives.

The World Bank Office in  Abuja is one of the larger country offices, with over 120 staff. The large, decentralized nature of the program, and growing insecurity makes for a challenging operating context. A Country Management Team composed of the Country Director, the Operations Manager, two Senior Operations Officers, and several Engagement Leaders meets on a weekly basis to actively monitor implementation and provide strategic and operational guidance to the task teams.

Description

The World Bank Country Nigeria Office is seeking a highly organized and energized professional, capable of operating effectively and discreetly in a very demanding, fast-paced, and culturally diverse environment, to work as a Senior Program Assistant, level GD based in Abuja, Nigeria.

The successful candidate will work under the overall supervision of the Country Operations Manager and in collaboration with the Operations Officer (OO), Program Leaders (PLs), and the operations teams.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The overall purpose of the assignment is to provide overall coordination support to the Operations Manager in coordinating the ACS Staff in the Country Office/Portfolio, in addition to his/her normal ACS role. S/he will provide administrative, operational and knowledge management support to the country teams.

The main functions include but are not limited to:

•  Mentor other ACS Colleagues: Serve as a mentor to other ACS staff. Keep abreast of the relevant policies and procedures of the Bank and guide staff on how to gain access the policies.
•  Training Support: Support in the onboarding of other ACS staff and provide the necessary support needed to integrate them into the system.
•  Periodic Data Update: Serve as rallying point in requesting and collating information from each unit as required by the Operations Manager or the CMU per time. E.g. number of TTLs/Local and International staff in each team that an ACS supports.
•  Administrative support: Provide administrative support to designated members of the team, including organizing team meetings, preparing documents, and managing  communication. Organize and coordinate AWCW2 unit-wide activities (such as unit retreats, unit meetings, social events, etc.)
•  Document Management: Oversee the organization, filing, and retrieval of documents, ensuring that all records are maintained accurately and securely.
•  Travel and Event Coordination : Arrange travel itineraries, accommodations, and events for the team members as needed. Also manage operational VIP visit to the country.
•  Operational Support: Provide operational support to the teams, circulating packages, sending reminders on milestones of the project and providing follow-up to relevant teams such as AFDWE, LEGAM and other team members where necessary.
•  Provide support to Program Leaders on their work program in the Nigeria Portfolio as requested.
•  Participate and/or chair committees within the Country Office such as retreats, high level visits, etc.
•  Assist in monitoring the budgets in the project, liaise and follow up with TTLs as appropriate and advise on overruns and burn rate.
•  Confidentiality: Handle sensitive information with the utmost discretion and maintain the confidentiality of all communications and documents.
•  Efficiency and Initiative: Proactively identify areas for improving administrative processes and take initiative to streamline tasks and enhance office efficiency.
•  Technical Proficiency : Utilize office software and tools proficiently, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Selection Criteria:

•  A master’s degree or undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. Economics, Business Administration, Political Science, Finance, International Relations, Social Science or similar field relevant to the Bank’s mission) strongly preferred.
•  Five (5) years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
•  Proficiency in English Language (verbal and written).
•  Strong knowledge of Nigeria’s context, Nigeria WBG portfolio, work program, Government of Nigeria systems, UN/INGO and donor coordination mechanisms. ehaVbUy B2NMRB
•  Extremely dynamic, results-oriented, and action focused with a can-do attitude focused on immediate problem solving.
•  Proven ability to think strategically and demonstrated political sensitivity and mature judgment, with an ability to navigate a challenging environment.
•  Outstanding inter-personal skills with proven ability to work cooperatively with a multi-disciplinary team.
•  Demonstrated initiative, leadership skills, and drive for results including ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines.
•  Highly developed spoken and written  communications skills including the ability to draft concise reports, minutes, briefs, and correspondence.

Competencies:

•  Excellent working knowledge and understanding of the WBG organization and its range of available financial instruments (e.g., IBRD loans, IDA credits and grants, trust funds).
•  Demonstrated experience working in operations with a clear understanding of the project and country engagement life cycle and Bank operational policies and procedures.
•  Familiarity and ease of working with the Bank’s data and reporting systems, such as SAP, Standard Reports, and the Operations Portal.
•  Familiarity and understanding of Bank’s lending portfolio performance measurement and analytics.
•  Full proficiency in data handling and ability to work quickly in Excel, particularly with creating data driven visuals and using advanced formulas e.g. pivot tables.
•  Ability to carry out research and analytical tasks on a wide range of operational and country issues, review and interpret information/data, identify trends and issues, and recommend actions/solutions.
•  Excellent writing skills and capacity to prepare briefs/presentations using Word/PowerPoint.
•  Capacity to work with tact and diplomacy with staff at all levels, often under tight time pressure in a busy environment.
•  Proven ability to work both independently and in diverse teams, including with colleagues in various Global Practices, with minimal supervision and with high levels of accuracy and attention to detail.

Note: This requisition is both internal and external. It is open to WBG and (including short-term and extended term consultants/temporaries).

The World Bank Group (WBG) Core Competencies are the critical behaviors required of WBG staff. They are complemented by job specific competencies that define technical knowledge and skills for jobs across the organization. They are also complemented by Managerial competencies for those staff in managerial jobs. These core competencies will be used in the WBG performance management process, for recruitment and selection, and for career development. The five World Bank Group core competencies are:

•  Deliver Results for Clients
•  Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries
•  Lead and Innovate
•  Create, Apply and Share Knowledge
•  Make Smart Decisions

Note : If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment.

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.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is on 01/02/2025. Therefore, qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Website:

Official Job Website: https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/careers