Special Assistant to Regional Vice President

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Special Assistant to Regional Vice President Job #: req36610 Organization: World Bank Sector: Operations Grade: GG Term Duration: 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English, French Preferred Language(s): English, French Closing Date: 5/22/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank consists of two entities – the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). It is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, the World Bank provides loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, and coordinates responses to regional and global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org Western and Central Africa Western and Central Africa is a vast region with diverse cultures, beliefs, languages, and lifestyles. Stretching from the westernmost point of Africa, across the equator, and partly along the Atlantic Ocean till the Republic of Congo in the South, it encompasses 22 countries that spread across semi-arid areas in the Sahel, large coastal areas on the Atlantic Ocean and along the Gulf of Guinea and tropical forest covering many countries from Guinea to the Republic of Congo, through Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon and Gabon. Home to about half a billion people, the sub-region has seen its population multiplied by 4 in the last 50 years. The population is mostly concentrated in the coastal areas, while landlocked countries generally experience lower density. The region has experienced accelerated urbanization, with cities hosting 48% of the population. With 12% of its population being under the age of 15, Western and Central Africa has one of the youngest populations in the world. Read more: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/western-and-central-africa Unit Context The Office of the Vice President is a dynamic unit that requires professional excellence and a commitment to teamwork. As a central member of the Front Office Team, the Special Assistant of the Regional Vice President will have the opportunity to contribute to the Bank's core mission of poverty reduction and development in the Africa. S/he will work directly with the Regional Vice President. Frequent travel is expected.

Requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely; able to engage in coherent dialogue with key stakeholders
Strong analytical and integrative skills; able to synthesize complex issues and substantial documentation into effective oral and written briefs.
Project management experience; able to demonstrate good judgment and prioritize multiple demands, often arising on short notice
High degree of ethics, discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with others and in handling confidential and sensitive information.
Demonstrates self-initiative, can learn quickly and anticipate a wide range of issues and situations; maintains a problem solving and results mindset; track record of delivering high quality work
Understanding of the Bank Group's internal and external operating environment. Sound operational experience, including knowledge of Bank Group policies, programs, and procedures.
Interpersonal, diplomatic and partnership skills required for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with Board officials, management, and other stakeholders.
Tact and discretion to deal with sensitive issues and raise challenging questions in a constructive manner.
Strong communication skills in English and French, including the ability to write quickly and concisely on a variety of topics in a well-structured manner.
Strong problem solving and team working skills, in order to prioritize interventions, identify relevant policy issues and trade-offs, and provide appropriate recommendations.
Excellent workflow management and task organization skills; able to anticipate and take responsibility for all aspects of coordination of the workflow.
Demonstrated ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments, adjust to changes in schedule and priorities, juggle concurrent tasks effectively and efficiently, and work with very tight deadlines.
Strong proclivity for teamwork including an open and collegial work style and a high energy level.
Ability to write and communicate clearly in English and French, experience in preparing clear and succinct briefs and talking points
Bank Instruments, Policies, Procedures, and Systems - close familiarity with Bank policies and procedures, both operational and administrative, and ability to apply them in day-to-day work
Client Orientation - Translates insight into practice across disciplines, hierarchies, geographies and organizational units in service of clients.
Drive for Results - Ensures successful implementation and delivery of key programs and projects, ensuring that outputs positively impact results.
Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Creates a team climate of practical and innovative action, facilitating collaboration between competing interests and stakeholders.
Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Demonstrates command of all forms of communication and presents in a clear, objective and engaging manner in high-level settings; ensures knowledge is captured and shared in a variety of ways.
Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Serves as a trusted advisor to others on their decisions, ensuring alignment across units and optimal impact on the organization.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of the Bank Group's internal and external operating environment. Sound operational experience, including knowledge of Bank Group policies, programs, and procedures.

Responsibilities

Provide proactive, high quality analytical and advisory support to the RVP on strategy, operations, and emerging issues across the AFW Region, and liaise closely with members of the SLT, RMT, and other WBG units.
Manage the RVP’s agenda in close coordination with the Front Office team, including prioritizing issues and preparing the RVP for meetings, events, and presentations, including through drafting, editing, and coordinating speeches and talking points.
Coordinate closely with Division Directors, Global Practice Directors, Regional management, CMUs, IFC, MIGA and corporate units to support smooth delivery of the Regional Work Program and ensure timely follow through on decisions, action items, and commitments made by the RVP.
Lead and coordinate preparation, review, and quality control of briefs, briefing books, memos, and correspondence for senior management, including materials for RVP travel and high level engagements.
Coordinate preparation for select high level meetings and regional events, including the Annual and Spring Meetings. Support the organization of SLT and RMT meetings and retreats, including agendas, materials, and follow up actions.
Liaise with the Offices of the President, Managing Directors, and IFC and MIGA Vice Presidents, and facilitate relations with the Board of Executive Directors as needed.
Coordinate cross cutting special initiatives (e.g., Board engagements, awards processes, responses to corporate requests), ensuring strategic alignment, integrated execution, and effective follow through.
Support coordination of Front Office activities more broadly, including ad hoc assignments and special projects, to ensure the smooth, effective, and responsive functioning of the Office of the Regional Vice President.