Job: Team Assistant

Location: Bucharest, RomaniaEmployer: World BankDeadline: Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Description

Background / General description:

Regional and Country Context

The Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region comprises of 30 extremely diverse countries, with a population of nearly 500 million people. Four of our clients are IDA only and another 5 are IDA blend countries. The remaining 21 are IBRD eligible. Although 10 of our clients have joined the EU and 7 of these have graduated, most continue to remain active recipients of knowledge and/or lending services. Country Partnership Strategies (CPSs) reflect this strong diversity with substantial variation in lending prospects, but strong demand for Bank technical services is present across the board.

For the most part, countries in the ECA region have recovered to the GDP levels prevailing prior to the 2008/09 crisis, yet growth is slower than before the crisis. GDP growth in the region is estimated to have fallen to 3 percent in 2012, from 5.5 percent in 2011, and is projected to rebound only slightly to 3.6 percent in 2013. The crisis left ECA countries with historically high levels of unemployment, which are still worsening, particularly in the Balkans. Furthermore, the ongoing sovereign debt problems in Western Europe are posing challenges to the sustainability of the tepid recovery. The World Bank is helping its ECA clients by implementing a regional strategy that is focused on addressing three critical challenges to growth and development---improving competitiveness, reforming the social sectors to achieve inclusive growth, and making growth more sustainable through climate action. Governance and gender issues cut across these three strategic pillars.

The financial and economic crisis led to a substantial increase in Bank lending and knowledge activities in all ECA countries, including in several EU members states (e.g., Latvia, Romania, and Poland). The crisis helped serve as a powerful reminder of the relevance of the Bank both as an attractive source of funding and a reliable provider of timely and quality advice.

The Romania Country office belongs to the Central Europe and the Baltics country unit (ECCU5) comprising 11 countries (Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia). The World Bank's country programs in ECCU5 have increased significantly in the past five years. In FY12 its lending constituted 47 percent of ECA's total lending - up from 3.2 percent in FY08. The volume of Reimbursable Advisory Services (RAS) in ECCU5 is also rapidly growing.

In FY12 Romania was the Bank's third largest borrower in volume terms and has one of the largest program of reimbursable services. The portfolio includes a Euro 1 billion DPL-DDO as well as several ongoing SILs. The lending portfolio is complemented by an IDF for development of government's M&E capacity, and a PHRD grant for policies for people with disabilities. Romania has more than 20 active RAS agreements with a growing pipeline covering both the modernization of administration and strengthening the capacity for increasing EU funds absorption. The Romania Country office also provides support to the Bank's program in Hungary.

Unit Context

The World Bank Office in Bucharest is looking for a Team Assistant to join its Administrative and Client Support (ACS) team to carry out the full range of office support work, including managing processes and monitoring schedules related to their team's/unit's products and tasks. He or she will report to the Executive Assistant, and will coordinate extensively with team members both at headquarters, in the Brussels office, where the regional CMU is located, and in the field, as well as with external counterparts.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a three year renewable term appointment.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Provide quality administrative support to the team in preparing Bank documents; formatting and editing reports, aide memoires, letters and memos using word processing or desktop publishing skills to produce complex text, reports, figures, graphs, etc., according to the Bank guidelines and distribution requirements;
• Handle routine correspondence independently, screen/distribute incoming mail; manage the team's document production which requires keeping abreast of Bank and Regional guidelines and procedures;
• Make travel arrangements, arrange appointments for Team/Supervisor and coordinate schedules taking priorities into account, monitors changes, and communicate the information to appropriate staff, inside and outside the immediate work unit, including officials outside of the Bank Group;
• Maintain up-to-date files of documents both in project files and ensure smooth flow of information and knowledge-sharing with other ACS in the Unit;
• Provide back-up support to other ACS as required by the work program, especially during peak periods.

Selection Criteria:

COMPETENCIES

Technology and systems knowledge - Demonstrates advanced knowledge and experience working with Microsoft office applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.). Has ability and willingness to maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills as technology

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 and complete tasks within agreed schedule.

Institutional policies, processes, and procedures - Demonstrates knowledge of own department's programs and products, knows key players, understands own role. Displays understanding of WB policies and procedures relevant to the area of assigned responsibilities and is able to apply/ implement them.

Versatility and adaptability - Demonstrates flexibility and is receptive to the implementation of new solutions. Is willing to stretch own capability. Demonstrates motivation to avail and adapt oneself to effecting change.

Client Orientation - Exhibits positive and professional client service attitude; is able to understand clients' needs and complete them professionally.

Drive for Results - Takes personal ownership and accountability to meet deadlines and achieve agreed-upon results, and has the personal organization to do so.

Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Collaborates with other team members and contributes productively to the team's work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view.

Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Has good knowledge of official unit's language(s). Able to write clearly, edit and proofread draft communications. Able to learn and share knowledge/information across the unit.

Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Is able to manage information and support retention and disposition of information and records. Can search, report, and deliver basic information from various sources and independently respond to basic inquires.

http://competencies.worldbank.org/indicators2/B/4734/none

OTHER SELECTION CRITERIA

• A relevant Associate or University degree
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience
• Excellent oral and written fluency in English and Romanian (additional knowledge of Hungarian would be an advantage)
• Strong organizational, analytical and presentation skills
• Ability to pass standard Bank Group tests at time of recruitment (English language, MS Office applications)