Executive Assistant to Regional Vice President

Role overview

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, is hiring an experienced Executive Assistant to support the Regional Vice President for the Middle East and Central Asia in Dubai. This is a front-office role focused on keeping the vice president’s office running smoothly through executive, administrative, and operational support. The position calls for someone mature, proactive, and comfortable working with senior leaders, government and private-sector counterparts, and teams across multiple regions and time zones.

The role sits within IFC’s senior leadership environment, where it helps support the growth strategy for the region, coordination with key stakeholders, and communication across the organization. The selected candidate will need strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive matters professionally.

Key responsibilities

This position is responsible for broad office coordination and high-level administrative support for the Regional Vice President. Duties include managing a demanding calendar, preparing briefing materials, handling correspondence, arranging travel, supporting major meetings and events, and maintaining office systems and workflows. The assistant also acts as a central contact point for internal and external stakeholders and supports the wider front-office team as needed.

• Provide organized administrative and logistical support to the Regional Vice President, including calendar management across time zones and preparation of daily briefing packs and meeting documents.
• Prepare, review, and route routine correspondence and office communications while protecting confidential and sensitive information.
• Coordinate all travel and mission arrangements such as flights, hotels, visas, local transport, and itineraries, and keep schedules and briefing materials up to date.
• Handle logistics for meetings and high-level events, including bookings, facilities and IT coordination, catering, security support, and assistance with corporate gatherings, retreats, conferences, training programs, and regional meetings.
• Act as a liaison with internal leadership offices and other stakeholders to support smooth coordination across the organization.
• Maintain office procedures, filing systems, internal directories, distribution lists, and tracking tools to support efficient administration.
• Use workplace systems and tools such as Admin Portal, SAP, ePayables, travel systems, Webex, and Teams, and process expenses, procurement requests, purchase orders, pCard transactions, and monthly reconciliations according to policy.
• Support and guide ACS staff across the region, and help with office space planning and coordination with Facilities.
• Assist the Senior Adviser and other front-office colleagues, manage special projects, and resolve day-to-day issues independently using sound judgment.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree and brings at least 5 years of relevant experience. Strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, confidentiality, and the ability to work effectively with people at all levels are essential. Excellent written and verbal communication is required, including drafting and editing correspondence to organizational standards. The role also needs strong organizational ability, time management, prioritization, and comfort handling multiple tasks in a deadline-driven setting.

Applicants should demonstrate a proactive mindset, good judgment, resourcefulness, and the ability to handle sensitive or unusual matters discreetly. The job requires resilience under pressure, adaptability when plans change, and the ability to solve problems quickly and independently. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and collaboration tools is expected, along with familiarity with IFC/WBG systems such as SAP, ePayables, eServices, and Admin Portal. Flexibility to work extended hours on short notice is also important.

Additional information

This is a local recruitment role based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The assignment term is 3 years and 0 months. English is required for the role, and Arabic is preferred. Preference will be given to candidates who are already authorized to work in the duty station for any employer. Internal applicants may be considered according to existing guidelines.

The closing date is 7/5/2026 at 11:59pm UTC. The organization also notes that prior experience in IFC or World Bank Group front offices is an advantage.

Culture and workplace values

The World Bank Group emphasizes a strong sense of urgency, thoughtful risk-taking, and empowerment with accountability. The organization highlights an inclusive and equal opportunity work environment and offers comprehensive benefits, including retirement, medical, life, and disability insurance, as well as paid leave such as parental leave and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Who the role is suited for

This opportunity is best suited to local talent in Dubai who can operate confidently in a senior executive support environment, manage complex schedules and communications, and maintain composure when handling confidential, high-priority, and fast-moving work.