Program Assistant
Douala, Cameroon
JOB DETAIL
Description
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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet. For more information, please visit www.ifc.org.
The IFC’s Douala Country Office oversees and coordinates IFC’s activities for the Central Africa Sub-region which includes Cameroon, Central Republic of Africa, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo and Sao Tome & Principe. The Country Office is seeking to recruit a highly motivated Program Assistant to provide effective and efficient administrative support to the assigned departmental team and operational staff. This role will contribute to the effective operation and administrative coordination of the team in the assigned department and should be ready to step up to undertake new responsibilities and challenges with enthusiasm.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Key roles and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
• Provide high-level administrative and organizational support to the Country Manager and senior staff.
• Coordinate the Country Manager’s calendar, schedule and travel arrangements;
• Translate office documents from French to English and vice versa;
• Assist staff for the drafting, editing, formatting, and production of documents and correspondence in French and English.
• Provide quality control of internal and external documents; reviews documents for accuracy and adherence with IFC and World Bank guidelines and procedures;
• Coordinate schedules taking priority into account, monitors changes, and communicates the information to staff inside and outside the immediate work unit, including officials outside the bank;
• Solve non-routine problems (e.g. responds to requests requiring research to address query at hand, etc);
• Coordinating high level visits, local conferences and events, as required
• Maintain current distribution lists, phone/addresses list of project/product contacts, and distributes documents for relevant task teams to the main data;
• Maintain up-to-date work unit project and other files (both paper and electronic);
• Correspond with vendors to solicit price quotes for supplies and make hotel reservations in accordance with World Bank Group policy;
• Manage logistics requests for the visiting missions of the units;
• Collaborate with other team members and contributes productively to the team’s work and output Fully involves others in the work of the team;
• Handle bookings for business travels; obtains tickets from the travel agency, requests visas for staff;
• Provide primary assistance to the Finance officer including specialized support accounting and SAP related operations;
• Assist with any other administrative matters in the Central Africa sub-region or corporate initiatives;
• Back-up other ACS in the office and in the region when needed;
• Undertake ad hoc duties that may be assigned by the supervisor, or the designated Task Team Lead.
• Supervise other ACS in the office and cluster.
Selection Criteria
The successful candidate must demonstrate the following competencies:
• Technology and systems knowledge: Able to conduct routine work using basic software applications (Microsoft Office applications) and other relevant technology and / or data base management systems.
• Project and task management: Exhibits good organizational, problem-solving skills and ability to work competently with minimal supervision. Demonstrates attention to detail and quality. Has ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize own work and work of internal clients and complete tasks within agreed schedule institutional policies, processes, and procedures.
• Demonstrates relevant functional knowledge and understanding of institutional priorities, policies, operational and administrative procedures, and people; and has ability to apply them in routine situations.
• Versatility and adaptability: demonstrate initiative and motivation to proactively learn new developments in relevant policies, procedures and technology.
• Identify, prevent and/or solve problems. Proactively anticipates issues and propose solutions. Able to participate in change activities and initiatives.
• Client Orientation: Able to interact with clients with discretion and diplomacy. Demonstrates ability to resolve complex client related issues. Displays understanding of relevant internal and external factors and their impact on clients.
• Ability to develop good working relationships with internal/external clients.
• Drive for Results: Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results and has the personal organization to do so.
In addition to the WBG core competencies, the successful candidate must possess:
• Minimum of bachelors’ degree and/ college diploma with a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in similar role, preferably in a large international organization;
• Excellent writing and editing skills in both French and English
• Excellent organizational, administrative and effective time management skills;
• Demonstrated excellent analytical, administrative, and organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy. Sound judgment, resourcefulness, reliability, and high degree of adaptability.
• Ability to produce high quality work under pressure;
• Proven ability to create and work in a team-oriented, multi-cultural environment, to perform effectively in a constantly changing environment with competing activities and demands, and to effectively serve as a team member in various groups;
• Demonstrated ability to organize and implement projects and tasks, set priorities, coordinate and monitor assignments to maximize efficiency and quality;
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a range of contacts internally and externally and deal effectively with diverse situations which require good judgment, tact and diplomacy;
• Effective analytical, research and problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and make judgments and decisions with minimal supervision;
• Strong communication skills in English and French (verbal and written), including ability to draft, proofread and edit correspondences and ensure quality of written outputs;
• Demonstrated ability to respond and deal effectively with diverse situations which require good judgment, tact, diplomacy and confidentiality;
• Good computer skills; proficiency with various software technologies such as MS Office, Outlook, One drive and other standard office productivity software. Ability to learn quickly new software applications.
• High degree of motivation, initiative, flexibility, and reliability.
• Experience and ability to lead other ACSs
Work will involve frequent interaction with the following:
• Internal contacts: other VP units, World Bank as well as staff in all locations, locally and internationally.
• External contacts: Government Officials, Consultants, External Organizations, and other Service providers
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.
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