Team Assistant at a Development Bank


African Development Bank Group (AfDB) – Established in 1964, the African Development Bank is the premier pan-African development institution, promoting economic growth and social progress across the continent. There are 80 member states, including 54 in Africa (Regional Member Countries). The Bank’s development agenda is delivering the financial and technical support for transformative projects that will significantly reduce poverty through inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Team Assistant

Position Number: 50071221
Location: Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Job type: Full-time
Position Grade: GS6

The Position

  • The job of Department Assistant which falls under General Support Services that provides administrative support for the smooth running of the Department, ensures that the Director is freed from all tasks which could otherwise impede the efficient discharge of high duties and responsibilities.
  • Each Department has its unique functions, but the Department assistant works more or less uniformly irrespective of the Departments to assure hitch-free operations within the office of the respective Directorate.
  • Accordingly, the Department Assistant’s job facilitates and contributes to the success of the Director in performing his/her role for the achievement of the High 5s.

Key Functions
Under the General guidance and overall supervision of the Director, the Department Assistant will perform the following:
Workflow Management:

  • Receive and register all incoming and outgoing documents of the Department.
  • Ensure that documents presented for Director’s signature are complete, with necessary attachments and background documents
  • Draft general or administrative correspondence on own initiative or based on instructions and finalize for the Director’s signature.
  • Review and classify priority and important correspondences and submit accordingly.
  • Follow-up and ensure that target dates and deadlines are met using appropriate tracking tools, and that correspondence and queries are responded to promptly.
  • Channel correspondence for action by the Director or send it directly to the concerned Division, if necessary.
  • Verify that outgoing correspondence is presented in accordance with the Bank’s accepted formats and check on probable typographical errors, presentation, completeness, and procedural accuracy of all documents submitted to the Director for clearance, approval or signature.

Communication and liaison:

  • Receive visitors and telephone calls with tact and discretion, and act according to the nature and urgency of each, including redirecting to the concerned divisions, as appropriate.
  • Screen Director’s calls/visitors, make appointments for visitors to meet the Director or the Division Manager concerned.
  • Follow up on work deadlines with Division Managers.
  • Schedule weekly team and ad hoc meetings for the Director, according to schedules and Director’s Agenda for the week.
  • Arrange time and venue for meetings, collect necessary background materials of meetings needed from the relevant Departments/Divisions; Remind Division Managers and other staff members about scheduled meetings.
  • Provide background information to the Director for appointments with official visitors and/or staff members.
  • Relay information between the Director, Division Managers and other staff members of the department.

Record keeping and documentation:

  • Maintain a filing system in both hard and soft copies to meet the needs of the Department.
  • Keep a weekly calendar of activities that shows all meetings to be attended by the Director as well as by other staff members. It also includes all external visits to the Department.
  • Obtain briefing and background materials for meetings, seminars, workshops, etc. to be attended by the team’s staff, checking their availability and ensuring they have the appropriate briefing files and documents.
  • Maintain Contact address / Mailing directory of partners working with the Department.

Office Administration:

  • Make travel arrangements for the Director, including tickets, hotel reservations, etc.
  • Assist in the preparation of presentations using PowerPoint and other software packages on own initiative or on the basis of instructions.
  • Perform other office administration tasks (photocopies, emails) when the need arises.

Competencies (skills, experience and knowledge)

  • Hold at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Commerce, Administration or related discipline.
  • Demonstrable commitment to delivering excellent customer service focused reception and administration service.
  • Good interpersonal, planning and organizational skills.
  • Ability to think quickly to respond to immediate requests.
  • Flexibility to adapt, positive attitude towards change, and a constructive and creative approach to problem solving.
  • Training in secretarial Science and/or Administration and Office Management is advantageous.
  • Have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant and practical experience in administrative and secretarial roles, in similar offices of international Organizations, Development Banks or similar institutions.
  • Having private sector experience will be an added advantage.
  • Good knowledge of administration and office support services, including systems and procedures.
  • Good coordination skills – methodical and self-organized.
  • Proficiency in the use of standard equipment (computer, fax, scanner, photocopies, etc.).
  • Communication.
  • Problem Solving.
  • Client Orientation.
  • Ability to communicate effectively (written and oral) in English or French, preferably with a working knowledge of the other.
  • Bilingualism, knowledge of Arabic, Portuguese, etc. is an advantage.
  • Competence in the use of standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, SAP and/or other integrated document management system).
  • Team working.
  • Operational Effectiveness.
  • Innovation and Creativity.
  • Attention to detail.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Note: This position does not attract international terms and conditions (the post holder will be considered as a local staff and will not have international terms and conditions of employment)

Application Deadline 26th November, 2024.