Job Description

Team Assistant

Job #: req38631 Organization: World Bank Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GB Term Duration: Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP) Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Addis Ababa,Ethiopia Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 10/29/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

VPU Context:

The World Bank’s Eastern and Southern Africa Region, comprised of approximately 1,260 staff, mostly based in 26 country offices, has been helping countries realize their considerable development potential by focusing on the following priorities- Creating Jobs and Transforming Economies, Building up the Digital Economy, Institutions more Efficient and Accountable, Investing in People, Supporting Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption, Addressing the Drivers of Fragility, Conflict, and Violence, and Building Partnerships and Working across the African Continent: We are scaling up our work on regional integration, taking a holistic view of the continent that covers both North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Are you ready to make an impact? We are looking for dedicated professionals to join our innovative and diverse team to improve people’s lives and help countries.

https://www.worldbank.org/ext/en/region/afr/eastern-and-southern-africa

Unit Context:

With about 135.9 million people in 2025, Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country after Nigeria. Its economy grew by 9.2% in FY2024/25, among the region’s fastest rates, yet it remains one of the poorest countries, with per capita GDP of $979.

Ethiopia’s state-led model improved infrastructure and living standards, extending nearby potable water access to 60 million more people, doubling electricity access, and increasing child vaccinations by 64%. Poverty fell from 39% to 24% between 2004 and 2016. However, an overvalued currency, unsustainable debt, and restrictions on private investment weakened competitiveness, fueled inflation, and constrained productivity and job creation for 1.8 million new job seekers annually; poverty rose from 27% to 32% between 2016 and 2021.

The World Bank’s longstanding partnership with Ethiopia supports sustainable, inclusive growth. Priorities include creating jobs, improving governance, sustaining macroeconomic and structural reforms, reducing state dominance, deepening trade integration, and expanding private-sector opportunities. Reducing conflict is also critical because displacement and loss of livelihoods and human capital heighten vulnerability to climate and other shocks. Food insecurity is worsening due to extreme weather, reliance on rainfed agriculture, locusts, conflict, and global food-price inflation. With roughly 2 million people reaching working age each year, Ethiopia must improve existing jobs and create enough new ones.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ethiopia

Duties and accountabilities:

The Team Assistant will:

• Provide administrative support to the unit’s work program, including task management, procurement, databases, IT coordination, and editorial support.
• Draft and format correspondence and other documents in accordance with institutional standards, proper grammar, punctuation and style. Format and edit large documents.
• Conduct routine analytical tasks, compile information, and support Task Team Leaders (TTLs) and team members with project-related deliverables.
• Maintain accurate project data, status reports, contact lists, distribution lists, databases, and electronic and physical records.
• Monitor team activities, deadlines, and deliverables; follow up on outstanding actions and provide timely updates.
• Apply relevant procedures and exercise sound judgment to resolve routine administrative issues, escalating complex matters as appropriate.
• Attend meetings, draft minutes, and ensure timely clearance and distribution.
• Support even preparation and logistics for meetings and events, including high-level visits, conferences, seminars, and workshops; coordinate logistics, prepare materials, record minutes, and support timely clearance and distribution.
• Respond to internal and external inquiries or route them promptly to the appropriate staff.
• Promote efficient work practices and ensure that documents, records, and processes comply with departmental, VPU, and institutional requirements.
• Provide backup support to team members and Team/Program Assistants on project and administrative matters, as needed.

Selection Criteria

Attention: 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.

• High school diploma with 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proficiency in standard and advanced office applications, databases, collaboration tools, and office equipment, with the ability to learn new technologies quickly.
• Proficient written and verbal English communication skills, including the ability to draft routine correspondence and edit materials accurately for grammar, punctuation, clarity, and style.
• Sound knowledge of office administration, document management, and electronic and physical records systems.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing demands, meet deadlines, and deliver accurate, high-quality work under pressure.
• Initiative, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to follow through on team priorities and respond promptly to information requests, including in the team leader’s absence.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative, service-oriented approach, with the ability to work effectively and respectfully in a multicultural environment.
• Adaptability, willingness to learn, and readiness to seek guidance when needed.
• Ability to meet any applicable Bank Group testing requirements in effect at the time of recruitment

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

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.