Job Description

Program Assistant

Job #: req37101 Organization: World Bank Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GC Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Singapore,Singapore Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 6/30/2026 (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 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.org

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 being affected by climate change. The Bank plays a significant role in 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: https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/region/eap

Digital & AI Vice Presidency

Digital technologies offer a unique opportunity to transform development through digital solutions. The Digital and AI Vertical Vice Presidency and its global and regional teams will support client countries in building their capacities for digital transformation and AI use. The WBG Digital and AI Vertical is led by a Vice President and was established in July 2024. WBG recently published its Digital and AI Strategy which includes four pillars: access, affordability, ecosystem and AI readiness. The strategy identifies the priorities that WBG will engage across the client segment over the next five years.

For more information: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/digitaldevelopment

Program Assistant (PA) positions are held by experienced staff whose acquired knowledge and skills enable them to undertake diverse and complex work assignments under general supervision. The PAs work closely with other staff within and across the unit to make a significant contribution to the overall achievement of the expected work program.

DUTIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Responsible for highly proactive time, travel and calendar management for PM(s), including effective prioritization and resolution of related conflicts and competing demands.
• Coordinating complex travel arrangements, including mission planning, visas, itineraries, and logistics.
• Organizing briefing materials, presentations, and correspondence for meetings and missions. Ensuring timely follow-up on actions and decisions from meetings and commitments. Maintaining strict confidentiality of all sensitive and strategic information.
• Ensures quality assurance and operational accuracy of all documents requiring the PM(s) signature.
• Provides regular reports to the PM(s) on portfolio content and quality. Monitors and tracks portfolio-related deadlines and prompts the PM and team members for action.
• Regularly organizes unit meetings and related agendas and documents.
• Regularly connects with the RPD’s Senior Program Assistant to understand and manage critical priorities for the unit.
• Independently responds to diverse inquiries and makes decisions when multiple courses of action are possible. Keeps relevant parties informed of actions taken by the PM(s) by providing pertinent information, reports or status updates.
• Supports the PM(s) in ensuring that management decisions are properly communicated, carried out and delivered in a timely manner.
• Stays informed on technological, administrative and procedural developments as introduced by the World Bank Group; makes sure all staff in the unit are informed.
• Contributes to office administration, maintains and updates contact lists, the filing system, and ensures the general efficient functioning of the unit, including ordering supplies and materials needed for the smooth running of the Office and any other necessary tasks.
• Works across multiple time zones to ensure connectivity with the unit staff in all locations.

Selection Criteria

• High school diploma with a minimum of 5 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor’s degree highly desired.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• In-depth knowledge of relevant World Bank Group policies and practices, for example fiduciary policies, operational procedures and practices, trust fund tools and policies, travel rules, and procurement and payment of vendors, etc.
• High attention to detail.
• Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking skills with demonstrated ability to handle complex tasks.
• Ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently.
• Self-starter with excellent anticipation skills; problem solving; and follow up.
• Demonstrated dependability and sense of urgency about getting results.
• Ability to work well under pressure, adapt to unexpected events, prioritize, and multitask in a deadline-driven environment. Must be able to prioritize a variety of time-sensitive tasks.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), collaborative tools (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive); use of Artificial Intelligence tools (ChatGPT, etc) an advantage.
• Flexibility and willingness to work extended hours as necessary, and adapt to different time zones, and record of reliability, promptness, etc.

Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants who are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.

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.