Description

Do you want to build a truly worthwhile career? 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

Africa is a diverse continent brimming with opportunities. From clean energy and climate-smart agriculture to homegrown digital innovations, African countries are accelerating their efforts to develop sustainably. Home to a 1.2-billion-person market and the world’s largest free trade zone, Africa offers human and natural resources that have the potential to yield inclusive growth and wipe out poverty in the region, enabling Africans across the continent to live healthier and more prosperous lives.

Yet these vast opportunities are tempered by persistent gaps in education, health, and skills, with Africa only reaching forty per cent of its estimated potential. Moreover, conflict, food insecurity, population growth, and the disruptive forces of climate change threaten to curtail or hamper progress.

The recent realignment in Operations led to the creation of two Africa regions: West & Central and East & Southern, effective July 1, 2020. PaC VPU Senior Management made the decision to keep one PaC Client Service Team (PACCS1) to serve these two Africa regions. The combined two regions account for approximately 2,300 staff, mostly based in about 40 country offices, a total combined portfolio representing approximately 40% of the Bank’s business and 50% of the Practice Managers decentralizing to the country offices; hence the need for effective PaC support on the ground in the region.

The PaC Client Service Team (PACCS1) offers customized and strategic PaC partnerships, support, and solutions to the Africa region. These PaC partnerships and services are provided to HQ and country-based units. In this regard, PACCS1 is seeking to recruit a HR Assistant based in Dakar, Senegal and will partner closely with the Business Partners and other PaC staff in the delivery and flawless execution of PaC products and services to PACCS1 clients. The scope of the position is varied and demanding, encompassing a combination of some traditional client support functions and direct contributions to the team’s objectives. The job requires multitasking with multiple client groups, a high degree of judgment, initiative and flexibility, problem-solving capability, patience, empathy, and teamwork.

Duties and Accountabilities

Key areas of responsibilities include:

• Respond to routine inquiries from client departments on PaC programs and policies in consultation with relevant PaC Business Partners.
• Support HR Business Partners in delivering key objectives and work programs, including human capital framework focusing on annual Performance Reviews, Talent Management, and the Strategic Staffing Exercise.
• Monitor the recruitment process for vacancies and bring issues to the attention of HR Business Partners for resolution.
• Review job descriptions, participate in shortlisting committees and interview panels as appropriate; draft interview reports and conduct reference checks as needed; provide guidance to hiring managers, if needed.
• Support HR Business Partners through research into policies and practices as well as retrieving historical data.
• Gather and compiles information and prepare standard and ad-hoc PaC reports.
• Update information contained in PaC systems and ensure data accuracy (for example personnel records, staff moves transfers and promotions, compensation details, etc.).
• Prepare reports, briefs, or presentations to the team and or for guidance to clients
• Handle queries or requests from clients and research solutions and share the relevant information with parties concerned after consultation with PaC Business Partners
• Support the manager and the team on administrative duties
• Perform ad-hoc duties as assigned by the team and PaC Manager.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s Degree with concentration in business administration, human resources, or related discipline (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Demonstrated ability to ensure total discretion, confidentiality, and strong personal ethics
• Ability to articulate issues and recommend solutions to aid management in decision-making
• Proficiency in all HR Systems and Microsoft Windows applications, namely Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Solid knowledge of core HR areas: compensation benefits; strategic staffing, learning, and training; performance management, career development, staffing and recruitment, and case management
• Able to ‘roll up sleeves’; has the flexibility to engage in all aspects of PaC work, from identification of issues to implementation of solutions
• Strong oral and written communications and presentation skills, ability to translate data for a variety of audiences, and experience with preparing client-ready materials
• Great interpersonal skills
• Strong quality control orientation; attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment
• Ability to build strong working relationships with counterparts across HRD and the World Bank Group

Competencies

• PROFESSIONAL CURIOSITY: Identifies readily available information, resources in order to acquire a good understanding of broader PaC theory and practice; self-evaluates current knowledge in order to identify necessary learning focus.
• INTEGRATING INFORMATION: Actively seeks information with respect to processes, rules, policies and other matters relevant to own and related jobs; identifies links and relationships within data and across the organization
• JUDGEMENT: Applies knowledge of theory, rules and practices to analysis of data in order to draw useful conclusions; analysis leads to timely decisions and recommendations within own realm.
• CREDIBILITY:  Balances interests of clients, PaC and broader WBG within own work, demonstrating tact and discretion; documents and shares project status and problems/issues with appropriate parties
• TRUSTED COMMUNICATOR: Accurately and fully conveys technical PaC information, querying and listening carefully to ensure understanding; handles sensitive information appropriately; expresses own opinions on issues and technical matters, inviting dialogue and discussion
• COMMITMENT TO MISSION & VALUES Advocates for WBG mission and values within own team; welcomes and supports team diversity
• CONSULTATION: Consults with supervisors, colleagues and other PaC staff to understand business challenges; makes appropriate recommendations with respect to own work.
• FLEXIBILITY: Changes approach to work tasks in the face of obstacles or new information
• INFLUENCING: Works with other PaC staff and clients to identify communication objectives; persuades others using logic, data, visual aids and other tools to support arguments

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.