Building a career that truly makes a difference is a goal many professionals aspire to achieve. Few organizations offer the scale, credibility, and global reach to turn that aspiration into reality like the World Bank Group (WBG). One such opportunity is the Office Assistant (Grade GA) position based in Panama City, Panama, a role that places you at the heart of development operations in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region.
This two-year fixed-term position offers more than administrative responsibility—it provides a front-row seat to international development work that directly contributes to reducing poverty, fostering shared prosperity, and strengthening resilience in one of the world’s most dynamic yet challenged regions.
About the World Bank Group
The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries. It is a unique partnership of five institutions—IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, and ICSID—working together to address the most pressing global development challenges. With 189 member countries and operations in over 120 offices worldwide, the WBG collaborates with governments, private sector partners, and civil society to design solutions grounded in research, data, and innovation.
The organization’s mission is centered on two ambitious goals:
- Ending extreme poverty, and
- Boosting shared prosperity in a sustainable way.
Joining the World Bank Group means becoming part of a mission-driven institution where every role—technical or administrative—contributes to global impact.
Regional Context: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
The Office Assistant role is embedded within the Latin America and Caribbean Region (LCR), where the World Bank Group serves 33 client countries. These countries range from rapidly growing middle-income economies to fragile and small island states, each facing unique development challenges.
Key Regional Challenges
- Low Growth and Inequality
Despite post-pandemic recovery, the region has returned to a low-growth trajectory of around 2.2–2.5%. LAC also remains one of the most unequal regions globally, with stark income and opportunity gaps. Children born into the poorest households face significantly reduced life productivity compared to their wealthier peers. - Quality of Jobs
While unemployment rates appear modest, job quality remains a major concern. Labor earnings have stagnated, and nearly one-fifth of workers earn below the poverty line. Infrastructure underinvestment, skills shortages, and restrictive labor regulations continue to limit job creation and productivity.
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- Vulnerability to Shocks
Climate-related disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts disproportionately affect Central America and the Caribbean. These shocks have severe economic and social consequences, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
The World Bank Group addresses these challenges through investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, private sector development, and innovative risk management tools.
CMU and Country Office Context
The Office Assistant position is part of LC2, the Country Management Unit overseeing World Bank operations in Central America and the Dominican Republic. This includes diverse economies such as Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
Panama, where this role is based, stands out as one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America, while neighboring countries face deeper structural and poverty-related challenges. The Panama Country Office (LCCPA) plays a central role in coordinating strategy, operations, and partnerships across the sub-region.
The Office Assistant Role: Purpose and Impact
The Office Assistant provides essential administrative and operational support to ensure the smooth functioning of the Panama Country Office. Reporting primarily to the World Bank Country Manager, and working closely with the Senior Executive Assistant, the successful candidate will support sector coordinators, visiting missions, and overall office operations.
This is a highly collaborative role requiring regular interaction with World Bank staff, consultants, vendors, private sector representatives, and civil society partners.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Support to Teams
- Arrange meetings, travel, visas, and logistics for programs and missions
- Support the organization of events, including preparation and translation of materials
- Assist with operational processes such as document preparation, formatting, and compliance with World Bank guidelines
Support to Visiting Missions
- Coordinate logistics for visiting missions, including scheduling and transportation
- Support mission-related clearance processes, such as Mission Announcement Letters
Support to Communications
- Assist with the preparation of the Panama Daily News
- Provide administrative support to communications-related activities
General Office Support
- Maintain and update the Panama Master Contact List
- Serve as backup to colleagues to ensure continuity of operations
- Draft routine correspondence, memos, and letters
- Support filing, archiving, and event preparation
- Perform other assigned administrative duties as needed
Through these responsibilities, the Office Assistant plays a critical role in enabling teams to focus on high-impact development work.
Selection Criteria and Qualifications
The World Bank Group places strong emphasis on professionalism, teamwork, and service orientation. Preference is given to local candidates authorized to work in Panama.
Required Qualifications:
- Fluency in English and Spanish
- High School Diploma (college degree preferred)
- Minimum of three years of relevant experience
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Ability to draft and translate basic correspondence
Desirable Experience:
- Prior experience in a similar office assistant or administrative role
- Experience in a multilingual or client-service environment
World Bank Group Culture and Values
Beyond technical skills, the World Bank Group seeks individuals who embody its core culture attributes:
- Sense of Urgency – Anticipating and responding quickly to stakeholder needs
- Thoughtful Risk-Taking – Challenging the status quo to maximize impact
- Empowerment and Accountability – Taking ownership and supporting others to deliver results
Successful candidates are team players who demonstrate integrity, respect for diverse perspectives, and a strong commitment to serving clients.
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Benefits and Inclusive Workplace
The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Retirement plan
- Medical, life, and disability insurance
- Paid leave, including parental leave
- Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities
The organization is proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer, fostering a diverse workforce free from discrimination.
Why This Opportunity Matters
The Office Assistant role in Panama is ideal for professionals seeking stability, international exposure, and meaningful work within a globally respected institution. It combines administrative excellence with a mission-driven environment, offering valuable experience at the intersection of operations, policy, and development impact.
For candidates passionate about contributing to sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean, this role represents a strong foundation for long-term growth within the World Bank Group.
