Research Assistant

Research Assistant Job #: req30445 Organization: World Bank Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GC Term Duration: 2 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English, Dutch, French and German Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 12/6/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile?
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 and promoting shared prosperity.
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 .
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The 25 Executive Directors of the WBG Board, assisted by their Alternates, Senior Advisors, Advisors and Administrative staff represent the interests of the 189-member countries who nominated or elected them.
They also ensure the oversight of the general operations of the Bank Group and the group's results on the ground.
The institutions under their purview are: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries.
The Board, working closely with Management, approves several policies, financial commitments and knowledge products that ensure the best global expertise and help generate cutting-edge results for its clients in developing countries.
The Office of the Executive Director for Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Hungary, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Slovenia and Türkiye (EDS10) is looking for a motivated and proactive Research Assistant with excellent administrative, organizational, and interpersonal skills to join the team.
The Executive Director's Office deals with all aspects of the Bank's work, interacts with Senior Bank Management, staff in other departments in the Bank, IFC, MIGA, as well as ministries, governments, embassies and high-level officials, representatives from the private sector, non-governmental organizations, academia, and others from the countries represented.
The office of the EDS10 is seeking to recruit a Research Assistant.
S/he will support the office work, as a core member of the Front Office team and provide support on research related assignments to the ED, AED and all the Advisers.
S/he will interact with a wide range of stakeholders within and outside the World Bank and will be expected to handle all tasks necessary for the efficient functioning of the office.
Candidates should be prepared to work under pressure and in a high-pace environment.
In addition to the Executive Director, the office consists of an Alternate Executive Director, Senior Advisors, Advisors, and a Senior Executive Assistant.
The successful candidate will report to the Executive Director.
Note: Administrative support staff hired into the Executive Directors' offices will be offered an initial 2-year Term appointment.
Staff on open-ended appointments who are selected into the EDs' offices are strongly advised to obtain a re-entry guarantee from their releasing units to be able to return to open-ended status.
An open-ended staff who does not have a re-entry to his/her releasing unit acknowledges that by applying to this position, s/he is entering a Term position, if selected, and will not be able to maintain his/her open-ended status.
Executive Directors must conduct an annual overall performance review for their administrative support staff consistent with WBG annual performance review processes.
If an already open-ended candidate in an ED office gets selected, s/he will retain his/her open-ended status based on already meeting the eligibility and prior conversion decision per the ED ACS conversion policy.
Such candidate may be subject to rotation as required by Corporate Secretary.
Duties and Accountabilities: The Research Assistant will provide the full range of office/administrative support to the Executive Director's office including, but are not limited to the following: - Working with a high level of discretion and diplomacy in setting and managing priorities and workflow in an efficient and organized manner for the Executive Director, Alternate Executive Director, Senior Advisors, and Advisors.
- Independently responding, in a timely and highly professional manner, to extensive and diverse external/internal inquiries and general requests by drafting and formatting - in English and Dutch/French/German - standard and routine correspondence and making decisions when multiple courses of action are possible.
- Assist with research materials for assigned topics.
- Assist with performing literature reviews.
- Work closely with the Office team to ensure research deliverables are produced in a timely fashion.
- Draft and proofread a wide range of project-related documents using proper grammar, punctuation, and style.
- Support the planning and preparation of relevant meeting materials, summaries, etc.
- Handle meetings logistics for the Office team.
- Ensure internal databases and content are up to date.
- Discretely handle sensitive and confidential correspondence and information.
- Screen, track, prioritize, and appropriately channel all inquiries, requests, and telephone calls to ensure timely attention to priority issues.
- Establish and maintain an effective network of contacts, both inside and outside of the Front Office, to ensure effective coordination in support of execution of activities and efficient flow of information and communication.
- Accompanying the office team to the Annual Meetings when held in member countries (once in three years).
- Providing administrative and logistical support to the ED's office and delegations from constituency countries - Performing ad hoc duties as may be assigned, including back-up to the Senior Executive Assistant, as required.
Selection Criteria * Must have a high school diploma and minimum of 7 years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience; undergraduate college degree preferred.
* Advanced working skills in multiple computer software applications (e.g., inter-related word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, database, and presentation applications).
* Proven ability to conduct accurate, thorough, and focused research, under close supervision.
* Exceptional communication skills (both oral and written) in English and Dutch/French/German - ability to draft a variety of correspondence, proofread and edit materials.
* High standards of output in terms of accuracy and meeting deadlines.
* Excellent administrative and organizational skills, with attention to detail.
* Excellent interpersonal skills, with a strong ability to interact with internal and external clients at all levels.
* Knowledge of existing World Bank Group's administrative procedures and practices.
* High level of discretion in dealing with sensitive or highly confidential matters.
* Experience working under pressure, handling concurrent activities, and establishing priorities.
* Excellent information technology skills (Word formatting, Excel, PowerPoint) and willingness to learn new programs and applications as needed.
* Flexibility and willingness to work extended hours at short notice as required.
* Demonstrated team spirit and strong desire to work in a team environment; sound judgment to effectively deal with staff at all levels.
* Proactive attitude, resourcefulness, reliability, and high degree of adaptability.
* Proficiency in all relevant computer software and WBG/IFC systems (e.g., eServices, Admin Portal, Webex, and Teams).
Required Competencies • Technology and systems knowledge - Has advanced proficiency of latest technology relevant to assigned responsibilities.
Demonstrates initiative in learning and/or supporting implementation of emerging technology and systems relevant to effective work of the unit.
• Project and task management - Able to organize, coordinate, monitor and implement tasks and projects.
Demonstrates ownership and accountability for results.
Demonstrates innovation and creativity in promoting effectiveness.
• Institutional policies, processes, and procedures - Demonstrates in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of administrative and policy guidelines, practices, products and services in area of assigned functional responsibility; can guide others in complex situations.
• Versatility and adaptability - Able to anticipate, facilitate and catalyze change in the business environment and accurately assess the need for new skills and knowledge.
Demonstrates continued learning attitude, supporting others in their learning and change management efforts.
WBG Competencies - Please review the attached link for more details.
• Lead and Innovate - Suggests improvements to solve problems.
• Deliver Results for Clients - Takes personal responsibility to make things better for the client.
• Collaborate Within Teams and Across Boundaries - Initiates collaboration beyond the team.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge - Proactively and regularly shares knowledge.
• Make Smart Decisions - Identifies information needed to support decisions.
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.