Senior Executive Assistant

Senior Executive Assistant

Job #: req39422 Organization: World Bank Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GD Term Duration: Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP) Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Riyadh,Saudi Arabia Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Arabic, French Closing Date: 11/27/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

The Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan Region serves 22 countries across different income groups, of which 14 are active/potentially active IBRD/IDA borrowers (Afghanistan, Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Pakistan, Syria, West Bank and Gaza, Tunisia, and Yemen), with a total of 251 projects and over US$51 bn in total commitment. Eight are users of the Region's non-lending services, mostly on a reimbursable basis (Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). The mission of the region is to foster sustainable growth with a focus on job creation and poverty reduction, economic and social inclusion, and good governance. The region attaches importance to creating a supportive work environment based on the values of teamwork, transparency, trust, and client service, underlined by professional excellence. The region places high value on diversity. The region is organized into seven Country Departments (CMUs), the Office of the Regional Chief Economist, and the Development Effectiveness Unit (MAPDE).

With an expanded regional strategy, the World Bank aims to help the region weather the current crises, move from stabilization to transformation, unlock its vast economic potential of youth and women, develop its human capital to adapt to global megatrends, and foster innovation. For more information, please visit www.worldbank.org/en/region/mena

People Vice Presidency

The People Vertical at the World Bank Group supports countries with their human development – to protect and invest in their people, enabling them to reach their full potential and enjoy a good quality life. Better lives and better futures are only possible when all people have equal access to quality health care, education and social protection, and when all people have the opportunity to build and draw on their human capital throughout life to learn, work, create businesses, have dignity and quality of life, even amid challenges.

When Countries strategically invest in people and the systems designed to protect and build human capital at scale, they unlock the wealth of nations and the potential of everyone. Entire societies are more resilient against economic downturns, climate change, and conflicts. When girls and women are given equal opportunities to develop their full potential, everyone benefits. And when people migrate, whether by choice or not, their human capital can make the critical difference between surviving and thriving.

The Regional Practice Director for People in MENAAP is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and oversees the Education and Skills, Gender, Health, Social program in the region, which in turn are each led by Practice Managers.

The Regional Practice Director for People is looking for a Senior Executive Assistant to be based in Riyadh, KSA. The selected candidate will need to have broader regional experience, proven ability to work in a matrix environment, and will work with the RPD as well as the broader group of administrative and client services team (ACS) and country management units in the region and at headquarters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for highly proactive time, travel and calendar management for the RPD, including effective prioritization and resolution of related conflicts and competing demands. Initiates dialogue with the RPD to proactively resolve scheduling complexities and conflicts.

• Responsible for the day-to-day supervision and coordination of the RPD’s workflow in close coordination with the Program Assistant for the Portfolio and Operations teams, the Program Assistants for regional Practice Managers, and key staff members who contribute to the RPD’s front office.

• In consultation with other colleagues, screens and prioritizes invitations received for the RPD and senior management (e.g., for speaking engagements) and make recommendations to the RPD.

• Ensures quality assurance and operational accuracy of all documents requiring the RPD’s signature. Guides staff on official formatting and standard protocol in processing executive correspondence and briefing materials. Works closely with the Program Assistant for the Portfolio and Operations teams to ensure all operations-related correspondence conforms with operational guidelines.

• Provides general research support on a range of topics on behalf of RPD utilizing all relevant software programs. Participates in regular Management Team meetings as requested by the RPD.

• Where requested by the RPD, liaises with senior officials both inside and outside the World Bank Group including a wide variety of high-level contacts in government offices, other international organizations, NGOs and the public sector.

• Establishes and maintains contact with executive assistants of all relevant clients of the RPDs and with the executive assistants of the MENAAP RVP and DSO.

• Independently responds to diverse inquiries and makes decisions when multiple courses of action are possible. Keeps relevant parties informed of actions taken by the RPD by providing pertinent information, reports or status updates.

• Supports the RPD in ensuring that management decisions are properly communicated, carried out and delivered in a timely manner.

• Stays informed on technological developments as introduced by the World Bank Group; makes sure all staff in the RPD’s office are informed.

• Contributes to office administration, maintains and updates contact lists, the filing system, and ensures the general efficient functioning of the RPD’s office, including ordering supplies and materials needed for the smooth running of the Office and any other necessary tasks.

• Assists the RPD with the preparation of mission materials, including through the solicitation of preparatory materials from relevant colleagues.

• Assists the RPD with mission planning, scheduling and booking, including mission meetings and liaising with the program assistants of Country/Division Directors and other colleagues required for mission planning.

• Takes the lead in setting up relevant departmental and managerial meetings for the RPD.

• Takes responsibility for maintaining a high degree of organization and efficiency in the RPD’s front offices.

Selection Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree or with at least 8 years of relevant experience, preferably in operations within a regional context in an English language environment.

• Previous experience in effectively managing or supervising staff or contingent workforce.

• Ability to process, handle, and communicate matters of a sensitive and confidential nature with a high degree of judgement and maturity.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to speak articulately and to write clearly in English, precisely and concisely for various audiences, and strong ability to work within a team environment with attention to detail and timely delivery.

• Ability and willingness to work with a diverse set of colleagues, cooperating and working seamlessly with all key members of the MENAAP VPU, People VPU, and the CMU management teams.

• Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills with proven ability to work promptly and efficiently under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Ability to shift gears at short notice to work on a wide range of assignments, remaining flexible and effective with a clear understanding of objectives to be achieved.

• Demonstrated initiative, and drive for results including ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines.

• French and/or Arabic would be additional assets.

As the World Bank Group continues to evolve, we value candidates who:

• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate effectively across teams, disciplines, cultures, and institutional boundaries.
• Responsibly leverage digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance productivity, learning, and decision-making.
• Bring experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent (FCV) contexts and are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in their application materials, where applicable.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. 2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. 3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

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.

Apply now

Added 1 hour ago - Updated 1 hour ago - Source: worldbank.org