Reserach Assistant

Reserach Assistant

Job #: req37531 Organization: World Bank Group Sector: Administration/Office Support Grade: GC Term Duration: 2 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English and Spanish Preferred Language(s): English and Spanish and Portuguese is a plus. Closing Date: 7/21/2026 (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.

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 Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Philippines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago (EDS15) 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 EDS15 is seeking a motivated and analytically oriented Research Assistant to support its research, policy analysis, and operational functions. The position offers a dynamic work environment at the intersection of international development policy, global governance, and institutional decision-making, providing the successful candidate with direct exposure to the work of the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors.

The Research Assistant will play a central role in producing constituency reports and delivering high-quality research support to the Executive Director, the Alternate Executive Director, and the office's Senior Advisors and Advisors. The position also encompasses a range of administrative, protocol, and coordination responsibilities essential to the smooth functioning of the office.

In addition to the Executive Director, the office consists of an Alternate Executive Director, Senior Advisors, Advisors, a Senior Executive Assistant and a Program 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 be expected to operate with a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and intellectual rigor. Duties and accountabilities include, 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 – both in English and Spanish- standard and routine correspondence and making decisions when multiple courses of action are possible. Knowledge of Portuguese is a plus.

• Provides comprehensive, high-quality research support to the Executive Director's office across a broad range of development policy, economic, and governance topics, drawing on a variety of internal and external sources.

• Independently assesses incoming requests and inquiries, conducts literature reviews, synthesizes relevant information, and produces clear, concise written outputs — including briefing notes, analytical summaries, and constituency reports — to inform the decision-making of senior office members.

• Supports the preparation of background materials for meetings and Board engagements.

• Maintains and regularly updates contact databases, including Governors' contact lists, focal point records, and Embassy contacts, always ensuring accuracy and accessibility.

• Screen, track, prioritize, and appropriately channel all inquiries and requests to ensure timely attention to priority issues.

• Provides dedicated support during the World Bank/IMF Spring and Annual Meetings, including guest registration, stakeholder coordination, and adherence to relevant institutional protocols.

• Performing ad hoc duties as may be assigned, including back-up to the Senior Executive Assistant, and Program Assistant, as required.

Selection Criteria

Attention: “Preference will be given to local talent, that is, applicants that are authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.”

• Must have a bachelor’s degree and minimum of 4 years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience; master’s degree preferred.

• Advanced working skills in multiple computer software applications (e.g., inter-related word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, database, presentation applications and AI tools).

• Proven ability to conduct accurate, thorough, and focused research, under close supervision.

• Exceptional communication skills (both oral and written) in English and Spanish - 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.

• High level of discretion in dealing with sensitive or highly confidential matters.

• Experience working under pressure, handling concurrent activities, and establishing priorities.

• 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.

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.

• 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 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.