Description

Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity 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

Regional Context

The World Bank Group serves 30 client countries in the Latin America and the Caribbean Region (LCR). Clients range from large rapidly growing sophisticated middle-income clients to IDA countries to small Caribbean states to one fragile state. Despite immense resources, deep inequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter of the Region’s people living in poverty. The Bank’s strategy in LCR is focused on five pillars: (a) stimulating growth and improving competitiveness; (b) reducing poverty and inequality; (c) making governments and institutions work for people; (d) providing a platform for tackling global issues (climate change, trade, disease, migration); and (e) reducing risk, whether from extreme weather events, climate change, crime and violence, or other. During the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, LCR’s strategy is being adjusted to help counties respond to unprecedented health and economic crisis by saving lives; protecting poor and vulnerable people; ensuring sustainable business growth and job creation; and strengthening policies, institutions, and investments. The Bank will support countries in pursuing a green, inclusive, and resilient recovery.

CMU and Country Office Context

The Caribbean Country Management Unit (LC3 CMU) covers 19 countries, with a total population of about 18 million people, ranging from Sint Maarten (40,000) to Haiti (11 million). In collaboration with Global Practice Groups, LC3 supports full IBRD and IDA programs through financing, convening and knowledge services, and Reimbursable Advisory Services programs, including in Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) such as Curaçao, Sint Maarten, among others. Together, Caribbean countries benefit from common opportunities – including a well-educated population and a vibrant diaspora, proximity to larger markets (US, Canada, and Mexico), and close cultural, historical and economic relations with the UK, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. Some countries have hydrocarbons and mineral resources.

COUNTRY CONTEXT

On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma hit the Caribbean island of Sint Maarten, an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with catastrophic effects. Hurricane Irma made landfall as a category 5 storm, packing winds more than 180 mph (290km/h), and leaving a trail of devastation. The country has now started the reconstruction and recovery efforts, though with very limited financial and human resource capacities. The Netherlands made available EUR 550 million (partially through funding and partially through in kind support provided by the Netherlands to Sint Maarten) to support the country’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. Given the limited capacities within the country to manage the massive reconstruction effort, and the World Bank’s long and substantial experience, the Netherlands requested the World Bank’s support as its Trustee and Manager. The World Bank brought global experience and resources by establishing a single-donor trust fund (SDTF) to help Sint Maarten manage this complex recovery, reconstruction and resilience building program. The Netherlands and the Bank signed the EUR 470 million (US$533 million) Administration Arrangement for Sint Maarten’s Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience building on April 16, 2018.

Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Program

The Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (SMRRR) Program finances and provides technical support for implementing selected activities under the Government’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), prepared with the World Bank’s support. The NRRP outlines the Government’s vision, principles, and a proposed approach for rebuilding a “better and stronger Sint Maarten” following Hurricane Irma.
LCRST is looking for an experienced, high-performing, energetic Program Assistant to serve the Sint Maarten office that will be established. S/he would work closely with other members of the World Bank’s country office team in Sint Maarten. The selected Program Assistant will be based in Sint Maarten and will report to the Program Manager for LCRST.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

Role & Responsibilities:

Principal Program Assistant responsibilities:

The Program Assistant carries out the full range of team and office support work, including managing processes and monitoring schedules related to their team’s/unit’s products and tasks. The roles and responsibilities of the Program Assistant are as follows:

Administrative support:

– Work productively and effectively, often from his/her own initiative, providing support to the Program Manager, the Operations Team, Task Team Leaders (TTL) and senior staff;

– Support the Operations Team by organizing meetings, assisting with operational monitoring, drafting and reviewing operational administrative documents and addressing administrative requests from internal and external clients.

– Draft routine correspondence, project-related documents, and proofread materials using proper grammar, punctuation, and style;

– Maintain the unit’s filing system up to date (electronic documents) and retrieve data from various sources when needed;

– Prepare folders of documents to be signed, ensure timely clearance and perform proper distribution;

– Coordinate logistics arrangements (videoconference, WebEx, and audio-conference) for meetings organized by the CMU, including preparation of folders for meetings and follow-up with IT team to make sure that the sites connections are well established before the meetings;

– Assist visiting missions and project teams with preparation of mission announcements, planning of local logistics, scheduling of meetings, and coordination of administrative arrangements in connection to the mission requirements;

– Maintain the distribution lists, phone/address lists, databases up to date;

– Support the project teams in the follow-up of tasks;

– Maintain project and other files up to date in the official repository of the World Bank, SharePoint;

– Undertake ad hoc inquiries requested by the CMU;

– Monitor and track assigned task/project steps/timetables, coordinate with relevant staff, and provide assistance and/or information on status and progress of tasks.

– Serve as a back-up to other staff on project and administrative tasks when needed.

ii) Client and external stakeholder interaction: 

– Coordinate with other Bank Group units, Government officials, NGOs, non-government institutions, academia, other development partners, and other stakeholders, and frequent liaison with team members located in different locations;

– Provide logistical and planning support for various external events, such as workshops and negotiations.

Selection Criteria

* A Bachelor’s-level degree is required;

* 7 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience with at least two years of direct relevant quality office support experience in an international, private or public institution;

* Proficient English written and verbal skills;

* Proficiency in using advanced functions of computer applications such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), and dexterity in internet searches/web navigation;

* Committed, selfless, positive team player with a demonstrated ability to work seamlessly in a multi-cultural environment;

* Willingness to seek assistance from supervisor(s)/colleagues and learn from them; and engage in continuous learning

* Ability to adapt to changing business needs, and be organized accordingly,

* Strong results-focus and client service-orientation

* Demonstrated interpersonal skills, initiative, resourcefulness, effective time management, organizational skills and ability to handle confidential information;

* Ability to produce high-quality work under pressure, with the ability to go the extra mile

Competencies

WBG Core Competencies: https://bit.ly/2kbIA7O

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.