Job Description

Senior Program Assistant

Job #: req37924 Organization: World Bank Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GD Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 8/12/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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, visit www.worldbank.org

The WBG Chief Risk Officer Vice Presidency (CROVP) is the core unit responsible for Group-wide institutional risk oversight, including establishment and monitoring adherence to risk policies and guidelines and risk assessment and reporting to the Board and executive management. Its mission is to enable and support the WBG to achieve its goals in a financially sustainable manner. The VPU assists management with identifying and managing Group-wide cross-cutting risks, enhancing risk response decisions, reducing financial and operational surprises and losses, seizing opportunities and improving deployment of capital. The WBG CRO Vice Presidency includes the IBRD/IDA, IFC, and MIGA risk teams and covers a wide range of financial and non-financial risks.

Unit Context:

In the context of One WBG Treasury, the newly unified WBG Market and Counterparty Risk Department (CROMC), housed within the WBG Chief Risk Officer (WBG CRO), provides independent second line of defense oversight, assessment, and management of treasury risk across all WBG and is a valued member of ALCO. This second line of defense function strengthens the Group’s financial risk governance by ensuring that market and counterparty risks are identified, measured, monitored, and managed consistently and effectively across all WBG entities, thereby, ensuring that risk-taking activities are consistent with the WBG’s risk appetite, capital adequacy framework, and long-term financial sustainability.

The WBG Market & Counterparty Risk Department is responsible for risk oversight in the following key areas:

• Market Risk: which includes the development and implementation of market risk frameworks, limits, and policies approved by the Board or Management of each institution, with a focus on; (i) ongoing oversight of risks arising from movements in market interest rates, exchange rates, funding and asset spreads, as well as the cost and availability of liquidity and long-term funding; (ii) and regular reporting to senior management and the Board on the evolution of market risks and their impact on capital adequacy and financial sustainability. In addition, the market risk function (i) ensures that market risk policies, procedures, and analytical tools remain sound, fit-for-purpose, and aligned with each entity’s risk appetite, (ii) and provides regular analysis to senior management and the Board on market risk trends and implications for capital adequacy and financial sustainability.
• Counterparty Credit Risk: which includes maintaining and implementing counterparty credit eligibility criteria and limits approved by the Board or Management of each institution in accordance with their respective risk appetite; continuous oversight of counterparty credit risk arising from deterioration in the creditworthiness of commercial

counterparties; and the development and reporting of counterparty credit exposures and mitigation measures, including collateral management, netting arrangements, and Credit Support Annexes (CSAs). In addition, the Counterparty Credit function provides ongoing monitoring and independent assessments to ensure counterparty exposures remain within the WBG’s risk tolerance and contribute to overall balance sheet resilience.

• Model Risk Governance: which includes maintaining a model inventory, and implementing a model risk governance framework, standards, and controls applicable to the inventory, validation, and use of risk and valuation models covering all asset classes.
• Risk Technology and Data Infrastructure, which provides strategic oversight and implementation of risk technology platforms, data architecture, and analytical tools supporting market, counterparty, and model risk management across WBG entities. The function ensures that systems are integrated, reliable, and scalable—enabling consistent measurement, aggregation, and reporting of risks, and supporting timely, data-driven decision-making by Management and the Board.

By maintaining rigorous oversight and consistent methodologies, the Department provides assurance to senior management, the Board, and external stakeholders that the WBG’s market and counterparty risks are prudently managed and that financial strength and integrity continue to underpin the Group’s development mandate.

CROMC seeks a highly motivated, well-organized Senior Program Assistant who will provide direct support to the Director of CROMC and ensure smooth operations of the Director’s office and the entire department through administrative and support services across various verticals of CROMC. The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal and project management skills.

Duties and Accountabilities:

The Senior Program Assistant will be expected to handle a variety of concurrent activities and competing demands in a fluid and fast-paced environment, including the following duties:

• Provide high-level executive and administrative support to the Director, including calendar management, mission travel coordination, prioritization of workflow, and resolution of scheduling conflicts
• Screen, prioritize, and respond professionally to internal and external inquiries, correspondence, telephone calls, and requests, ensuring timely follow-up and appropriate consultation.
• Lead and coordinate the department’s administrative functions, including budget, HR, office space, work program calendars, workflow tracking, and implementation of office procedures and guidelines.
• Plan and coordinate logistics for departmental meetings, retreats, senior-level official meetings, and other events with a high degree of autonomy.
• Monitor departmental budget execution, ensure accurate expense recording and policy compliance, identify discrepancies, pursue solutions, and support budget monitoring.
• Prepare meeting documents and other outputs requiring the Director’s review, approval, or signature, ensuring quality and compliance with Bank standards.
• Coordinate meetings by preparing relevant materials, tracking decisions and action items, and ensuring timely follow-up.
• Support procurement in the Adminportal and payment processes in SAP, including collection and input of data, monitoring request status, and ensuring compliance with purchasing card policies, reviews, and audits.
• Monitor staff leave and attendance (LARS), Staff Billing System (SBS), Statement of Expenditures (SOEs), computer inventory, and other administrative records to ensure accuracy and timely follow-up.
• Maintain internal quality control mechanisms and proactively flag emerging issues, risks, or process gaps to the Director.
• Manage the preparation and quality review of materials, coordinate meetings and action-item follow-up, and maintain effective tracking, filing, and workflow systems to support timely execution and institutional recordkeeping.
• Manage multiple priorities and special departmental assignments with discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Serve as a senior first point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, visitors, callers, and dignitaries, exercising judgment, tact, and discretion in handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• Build and maintain effective networks within and outside the VPU to facilitate cooperation, information flow, and timely resolution of office needs.
• Serve as the unit’s primary HR liaison, supporting recruitment as NEST, job posting and grading processes, selection communications, contract actions, and related personnel matters.
• Promote teamwork and knowledge sharing by keeping staff informed, mentoring junior staff, supporting learning initiatives, and participating in Bank-wide ACS activities.

Selection Criteria

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

• Bachelor’s degree with at least seven years of relevant experience.
• Strong understanding of Bank Group administrative and operational policies, procedures, systems, and quality standards, including committee and Board-related document requirements.
• Ability to quickly understand the VPU’s work program, priorities, client relationships, data sources, and broader institutional context.
• Proven experience providing high-quality front-office, or senior management support in a fast-paced environment is highly desirable.
• Excellent planning, organization, prioritization, and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks independently and meet deadlines under pressure.
• Advanced proficiency in SAP, Microsoft Office, Outlook, SharePoint, BOS, AdminPortal, e-Services, SBS, LARS, and related Bank systems used for reporting, records management, information retrieval, and workflow support.
• Excellent interpersonal, client-service, and communication skills, with sound judgment, tact, diplomacy, and discretion in handling sensitive information and engaging stakeholders at all levels, including the ability to draft, edit, and quality-check documents requiring Director-level review, approval, or signature.
• Flexibility and willingness to work extended hours and weekends, when necessary.

**This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not 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.