The World Bank’s Country Management Unit is looking for a Senior Executive Assistant for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei to function as the strategic conductor in our Manila office. This position carries a large amount of trust and power, as you will be the operational right hand of the Division Director, facilitating high-level engagements, taking care of complex cross-country logistics, and directing the administrative team that drives our mission. If you are an executive professional with minimum of eight years’ experience, known for your discretion, initiative and ability to handle a vibrant, multicultural setting, then we want you to come forward. Your know-how will be the main pillar of our sustainable development pursuits across Southeast Asia.
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Senior Executive Assistant – Philippines, Malaysia & Brunei
Job #: req35334
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Administration/Office Support
Grade: GD
Term Duration: 3 years
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Manila, Philippines
Required Language(s): English, Filipino
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 31 January 2026 (11:59pm UTC)
Organizational Context and Role
Are you interested in having a career that is really worthwhile? The World Bank Group is a one-of-a-kind international partnership whose main goal is to rid the world of poverty and make it a livable place. We, in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region, are dealing with some of the most difficult development issues that have to do with climate change and uneven economic growth, to mention a few. As the leading development organization in the region, we count on perfect operational support to create the impact we want.
The Country Management Unit responsible for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei is looking for an extraordinary Senior Executive Assistant to render complete, high-quality assistance to the Division Director and the management teams. This is a key leadership position in the Manila office that requires top-level discretion, initiative, and strategic coordination. You will be the operational rock-solid foundation of the front office, making sure that there is efficiency in the diverse, multi-country portfolio and creating a collaborative, client-centered atmosphere. If you are an experienced administrative professional who loves to work behind the scenes for leadership success in a mission-oriented organization, then we encourage you to submit your application.
Duties and Accountabilities
Executive & Administrative Leadership:
- Offer high-level executive assistance to the Division Director, taking the lead in handling difficult calendars, international travels, priorities, and conflicting demands with wise judgment and total secrecy.
- Handle by yourself one spectrum of inquiries and make sure there is a timely response to management decisions and actions.
- Create, quality-check, and complete top-level briefings, letters, presentations, and meeting minutes in accordance with World Bank standards.
Strategic Coordination & Liaison:
- Serve as a key liaison with senior government officials, development partners, internal teams, and other stakeholders, ensuring effective coordination and seamless information flow.
- Lead the coordination of regional schedules, senior management visits, high-level missions, and key activities across the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei offices.
- Manage the end-to-end logistics and documentation for major engagements, including Annual/Spring Meetings and senior leadership visits.
Team Leadership & Office Management:
- Take the lead in providing guidance and support to the Administrative and Client Support (ACS) personnel in the Manila office, being the contact person for Bank-wide and regional ACS projects.
- Strengthen the function of ACS by balancing the workloads, arranging for back-up, introducing new staff, and encouraging the sharing of knowledge.
- Work with the Operations and Resource Management departments to ensure the smooth and prompt delivery of office administration, workspace planning, and service of high quality.
- Create a front office atmosphere that is cooperative and client-oriented, and also make sure that the management office runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis.
Selection Criteria
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with a minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience, preferably within an international development organization, diplomatic mission, or a similar complex, multicultural environment.
Core Competencies & Skills:
- Technology & Systems: Mastery of office technology and systems; proactive in acquiring knowledge and offering assistance with new tools.
- Project & Task Management: Outstanding capacity to order, coordinate, oversee, and execute activities and projects along with a powerful feeling of ownership and responsibility.
- Institutional Knowledge: Extensive acquaintance with administrative and policy rules; capacity to direct others in difficult circumstances.
- Versatility & Adaptability: Predicts and eases change; exhibits constant learning and assists others during the transitions.
- Team Leadership (ACS): Established skill to offer guidance, give training, and develop the learning opportunities for the staff.
- Office Administration: Mastery in the administrative processes of planning, organizing, and optimizing to serve the unit’s goals.
- Client Orientation & Drive for Results: Develops close relationships and takes the initiative to fulfill client requirements; assumes responsibility for timelines and outcome delivery.
- Teamwork, Inclusion & Communication: Works very well with others from different backgrounds; very good at drafting and reviewing written materials to ensure quality.
- Business Judgment & Analytical Decision-Making: Applies analysis and problem-solving capabilities to render decisions and provide advice on adherence to policy.
- Work Style: Openness to working different hours, including overtime when necessary, and maintaining a calm demeanor in stressful situations.
Note: Preference will be given to local talent authorized to work in the Philippines for any employer. Internal applicants may apply per existing guidelines.
World Bank Group Culture & Core Competencies
The successful candidate will exemplify our cultural attributes:
- Sense of urgency: Foresees and reacts without delay to the needs of the stakeholders.
- Thoughtful risk-taking: Questions the established practices to bring about innovation and larger impact.
- Empowerment and accountability: Gives power to oneself and fellow workers to take action and at the same time makes everyone responsible for the outcomes.
We adhere to core competencies including delivering results for clients, collaborating within teams and across boundaries, and creating, applying, and sharing knowledge.
Application
The position is a local recruitment one, to be filled in Manila, Philippines, for a period of three years at the most. A complete benefiits package is offered by the World Bank Group. We are an equal-opportunity employer and are dedicated to making the workplace inclusive.
In case you are such a strategic administrative leader who is all set to permute the workforce of three nations, don’t hesitate to submit your application by the 31st of January, 2026.
