Team assistant

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

South Asia and Sri Lanka Context:

The South Asia Region comprises six countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) that range in size from India (with a population of over 1 billion) to Maldives (with 0.3 million people). The region has experienced a long period of robust economic growth, averaging 6% a year over the past 20 years. It was the second-fastest growing region in the world in the aftermath of the global crisis. This strong growth has translated into declining poverty and impressive improvements in human development. The percentage of people living below the poverty line fell in South Asia from 56% to 16% between 1981 and 2013. Still, the region remains home to a third of the world’s poorest, with 216 million people living below $1.9/day.

The South Asia Region: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/sar.

The World Bank Group’s new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Sri Lanka sets out a clear roadmap to support Sri Lanka’s continued recovery and its ambition of achieving 7% growth. Anchored in the country’s development priorities, the CPF focuses on creating jobs through private sector-led growth, promoting reforms that improve the business climate, facilitate trade, and enhance competitiveness. It channels investment into sectors with strong potential to create jobs and attract private capital at scale, including ports and logistics, clean energy, export-oriented agriculture, and high-value tourism. The CPF deploys the full World Bank Group toolkit — financing, guarantees, and advisory services — to unlock private investment and expand opportunity. Targeted support will be provided to women and youth and to lagging regions, especially the Northern and Eastern provinces. The CPF also strengthens Sri Lanka’s resilience to future shocks that could reverse development gains and derail the path to sustainable growth.

Reporting Lines: The position will report to the Sr. Operations Officer/Principal Country Officer depending on the operations team.

Duties & Accountabilities:

• Provide administrative support to Industry and Task Team Leaders (TTLs) and their teams for projects in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, including handling routine correspondence, drafting internal and external communications and tracking pending actions.
• Coordinate meetings and events, travel arrangements, Mission Announcement Letters (MAL), post-travel expense reporting and other logistics related to the program.
• Support consultant contract management, including drafting contract documentation, submitting requests in relevant WBG systems, tracking deliverable schedules and payment milestones, and following up on clearances.
• Assist with procurement of supplies, equipment, and services for the work unit, including raising purchase orders, liaising with vendors, and tracking deliveries.
• Support budget monitoring and financial administration, including maintaining records of unit expenditures, processing invoices, and preparing routine budget reports.
• Support TTLs at all stages of the WBG Operations and Industry project cycle, from concept through implementation and closing, including document preparation and operational workflow management.
• Liaise with government counterparts, ministries, and other external stakeholders for the coordination of meetings, official correspondence, and mission requirements in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
• Proofread materials, incorporate agreed comments into documents, and maintain organized filing systems and shared drives in World Bank and IFC systems.
• Work closely and provide backup support to other Team and Program Assistants when required.
• Track correspondence and pending actions, flag outstanding clearances, and distribute documents to ensure timely review and workflow completion across the project portfolio.

Note - This is a pipeline vacancy, the candidates selected will be offered a Team Assistant (OR) Extended Term Temporary position depending on business need.

Selection Criteria

***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.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, and 3 years of experience. Prior experience in a similar office/team assistant role in a multi-lingual environment is a plus.
• High organization skills with attention to detail. Agile users of AI tools like Copilot, Gemini, etc.
• Problem solver and quick learner.
• Knowledge of World Bank Group policies and procedures, either for IBRD or IFC, is a plus.
• Proficiency in office information technology and programs (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a diverse team environment, exhibiting strong collaboration skills, treating clients and colleagues at all levels with respect, and consistently acting with integrity to foster trust with team members and external clients and partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

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.

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.