Senior Program Assistant

World Bank Group • Washington, DC

1d

About The Position

Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works 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.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The IFC Legal Department (CLED) is overseen by two Deputy General Counsels (DGCs) who report to the Vice President & General Counsel. CLED provides legal and policy advice to the IFC Board, its Management and client departments on legal and policy issues related to operations, advisory services, and corporate matters. Specifically, CLED supports client departments in (i) the delivery of IFC’s annual program of financing private sector projects in emerging markets; (ii) project portfolio management (including jeopardy projects and projects in litigation); (iii) the delivery and design of structured finance products, sub-sovereign lending, equity and quasi-equity, public-private partnerships, and carbon finance transactions; (iv) advising on corporate policy and operational matters such as operating policies and procedures; and (v) knowledge management and training. To support IFC’s growing activities, CLED is recruiting a qualified Senior Program Assistant, to be based in Washington DC.

Requirements

• Preferred education/experience: bachelor’s degree or higher and at least 10 years of relevant experience.
• Expert level knowledge of MS Word and Outlook, with extensive experience managing complex meeting and travel requirements.
• Takes full ownership to address client needs:
• Handles complexity and ambiguity, to prioritize and multitask and to handle a diverse range of situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Demonstrates initiative, independence and autonomy in addressing client needs in changing business contexts and environments
• Has knowledge of department strategy, vision, and goals and can link them to those of the larger organization. Allocates and prioritizes resources according to areas of most urgent need and greatest impact for the client
• Anticipates lawyers’ needs (meetings rooms, closing assistance, travel requests,)
• Becomes familiar with the IFC project cycle and each lawyer’s specific transactions
• Contributes to wider collaborative efforts:
• Adopts a collaborative approach to improve overall effectiveness outside the department and displays an open, helpful attitude toward others
• Approaches conflicts with tact and diplomacy and as common problems to be solved
• Demonstrates understanding of and acts to incorporate multiple perspectives
• Frames thinking/actions with a WBG corporate perspective in mind corporate goals over individual or team goals when in conflict
• Mentors and/or provides training to peers in particular on drafting skills (retainer, article 3) and procedures
• Advocates the views of other ACS at CLED level and within the Corporation
• Becomes primary ACS/Coordinator for CLED working groups or committees
• Initiates changes to work processes to improve efficiency and performance:
• Applies creativity, flexibility and persistence to develop new approaches
• Considers own behavior in context of WBG’s values and mission and recognizes impact on others
• Frames problems and recommends solutions
• Undertakes departmental duties and responsibilities based on the needs of the Department.
• Consistently promotes and demonstrates good teamwork
• Actively promotes knowledge-sharing:
• Takes ownership for organization of knowledge-sharing and learning activities
• Contributes to the knowledge of the work group and beyond
• Uses feedback to develop self and mentor others
• Builds personal and professional networks within and beyond the work group
• Could give trainings to lawyers as part of the NLT on their role so that new joiners can know the scope of their work
• Acts as resource for all members of the department in helping to find information and as a source of institutional knowledge.
• Analyzes data to support and enable decision-making:
• Anticipates, researches, reviews, and analyzes available data and relevant empirical evidence, including lessons learned
• Uses critical thinking and good judgment to make decisions
• Supports decisions, takes action and ensures appropriate follow-up actions are taken
• Passion, drive and commitment to the World Bank Group's development agenda and mission and ability to inspire.
• Demonstrated commitment to core values, including excellence, mutual respect, collegiality, teamwork, diversity and inclusiveness, integrity, innovation, transparency, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Prepare briefing materials, handling internal and external phone queries and emails, assisting in the preparation of documents (in PowerPoint, Word, Excel), reviewing and exercising quality control over materials, and preparing routine correspondence.
• Maintain and regularly update DGC and organizational calendars, including rescheduling and canceling appointment; coordinate availability to minimize scheduling conflicts; proactively monitor and resolve overlapping meetings.
• Monitor, assess and categorize issues based on urgency and impact.
• Track issue status and ensure timely follow-up and resolution.
• Assist on special tasks as may be assigned by CLED lawyers and legal assistants.
• Prepare supporting documentation for internal and external matters, e.g. powers of attorney, proxies, signature designations, counsel retainer faxes and Article III notices (notifying governments of an IFC investment).
• Coordinate team schedules, set up meetings and coordinate general logistics.
• Liaise with IFC external counsel, where required.
• Attend to the signing of transaction documents and completion of conditions to disbursement.
• Attend to the filing of transaction documents in accordance with IFC guidelines and practices.
• Perform other routine portfolio administration of IFC’s debt and equity investments.
• Maintain accurate and efficient filing (paper and electronic).
• Back-up of administrative team colleagues when necessary.
• Anticipates and proactively addresses a wide range of complex issues impacting the work program.
• Contribute to and support CLED’s Knowledge Management objectives.
• Contribute to the notary team by organizing proxies, certificates of authority etc. for IFC at large.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior