Team Assistant, San Jose, Costa Rica

Organization: The World Bank

Country: Costa Rica

City: San José

Office: The World Bank in San José

Closing date: Friday, 10 March 2023

Team Assistant

Job #: req21342

Organization: World Bank

Sector: Administration/Office Support

Grade: GB

Term Duration: 2 years 0 months

Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment

Location: San Jose,Costa Rica

Required Language(s): Spanish and English

Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 3/10/2023 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? 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 .

Regional Context

The WDG 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, dynamic societies, and an average annual per capita income of about $4,000, deep inequalities persist in most LCR countries, with nearly a quarter of the Region’s people living in poverty. The last Bank’s strategy for LCR focused on three pillars: (a) supporting the foundations for inclusive growth; (b) investing in human capital and protecting the poor; and (c) building resilience. In the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic, this strategy will need to be adjusted to better support the countries deal with a health crisis without precedents and an economic crisis not seen since modern statistical records started in 1900. Yet, the basic elements of the strategy: accelerating growth (following a projected GDP contraction in 2020 of 7.2%), investing in human capital, including in health (in the most affected region by COVID19), and building resilience appear fully relevant.

CMU and Country Office Context

LC2 is the CMU responsible for overseeing the World Bank’s program in Central America and the Dominican Republic, including country strategy formulation and implementation, policy dialogue, portfolio management and country relations. The CMU Management Team consists of the Director, three Program Leaders and the Country Operations Manager, who will be based in Panama; a Country Manager based in El Salvador, who is also the country manager for Costa Rica; and Resident Representatives based in the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The CMU works with a diverse set of clients: two IDA countries (Honduras and Nicaragua), two lower middle income (El Salvador and Guatemala), and two upper middle-income counties (Costa Rica and Panama). Central America has the economy with the fastest growth rate in Latin America (Panama) and one with the biggest growth challenges (El Salvador); countries where poverty tops 25 percent (Honduras), and countries that are close to the 3 percent poverty objective for the Bank twin goals (Panama); countries that have managed to transform its economy entering in high value-added sectors (Costa Rica), and countries where the structural transformation of the economy needs to happen (Nicaragua). Central America has been significantly affected by the COVID pandemic both on the health and the economics front (GDP is projected to contract on average by 4.3% in the Central American countries) and this will have a significant impact on poverty. On top of this, macroeconomic and governance challenges were already an issue in most of the countries before the pandemic.

The Country Manager based in El Salvador Office is responsible for overseeing the World Bank’s program in El Salvador and Costa Rica. The WB regular staff and consultants are responsible for maintaining a successful Bank relationship with our clients. The team works with integrity, dedication, and strong team spirit to create impact and improve the wellbeing of the most disadvantaged while promoting shared prosperity.

The successful applicant for the Team Assistant position will receive a two-year fixed term position in the San José office in Costa Rica (LCCCR), subject to a one-year probation period and the local salary scale. The Team Assistant will report primarily to the World Bank Country Manager and will receive day-to-day guidance on priorities and fulfillment of responsibilities from the World Bank Executive Assistant in the Country Office.

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.

Roles & Responsibility:

The main functions include but are not limited to:

Draft routine correspondence and proofread materials using proper grammar, punctuation, and style.

Assist visiting missions and unit’s staff with preparation of mission announcements, plan and handle local logistics, scheduling meetings, and provide any administrative assistance required.

Handle logistical planning of various events, e.g.: meetings, conferences, workshops, negotiations, retreats, etc.

Serve as Security Focal Point which includes regularly monitoring the Security Clearance system.

Assist to Project Implementing Units (PIUs) solving regular issues on Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement (STEP).

Maintain up-to-date work unit files (both paper and electronic) as well as directories, distributions lists, and databases as needed.

Provide support with resource management related administrative tasks such as follow up invoices and support documentation for payments, facilities maintenance, procurement of goods and services, tax exemption process, assets inventory, etc.

Greet and screen visitors as well as handle diplomatic pouch and other incoming and outgoing correspondence.

Assist the IT Analyst, who provides IT support remotely, as the local focal point for consultants and vendors, supervise equipment maintenance once every two months on Saturdays, and provide other support as needed.

Solve non-routine problems and answer requests for information and perform other administrative duties as required.

Selection Criteria

* High school diploma. Business School training highly desirable.

* At least of 3 years of relevant experience.

* Proficiency in using computer applications such as Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), and dexterity in internet searches/web navigation;
* Ability to quickly acquire a good knowledge of the internal organization, procedures, policies, and practices;
* Excellent time management and organizational skills, handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
* Ability to adapt to changing business needs and produce high-quality work under pressure;
* Exercise initiative and make appropriate linkages in work requirements anticipating next steps;
* Demonstrated proactivity, resourcefulness, and problem-solving skills;
* Ability to retrieve reference materials from various sources (e.g., databases, filing systems, Internet, etc.);
* Excellent interpersonal and communications skills to interact effectively with clients and staff at all levels; and,

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

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.

Link to the organization’s job posting: https://unjobs.org/vacancies/1676745996813