Program Officer

The Program Officer will provide strategic and operational leadership to the GEF Events Team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, impactful events that meet institutional standards and effectively serve GEF's diverse stakeholder community. The role includes coordinating international events, mentoring the events team, and contributing to event strategy and institutional guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and supervise the events team in end-to-end planning, logistics, and execution of GEF international events (efficient per diem delivery, venue selection, contracting, Purchase Orders, travel logistics, interpretation, audio-visual services, travel for sponsored participants, among others).
• Develop and coordinate travel guideless in line with World Bank’s policy, event budgets, timelines, work plans and roles and responsibilities of each team member, ensuring delivery within scope and on schedule.
• Develop contingency plans and coordinate operations, including troubleshooting unforeseen issues in real time.
• Develop post-event evaluations and produce lessons-learned reports to continuously improve event quality.
• Back-fill members from the events team as needed.
• Coordinate and mentor the GEF Events Team, providing day-to-day guidance, workload coordination, and performance oversight.
• Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins and team meetings to foster a collaborative, high-performing work culture.
• Identify training needs and facilitate access to relevant learning opportunities for team members.
• Set clear performance expectations and provide constructive feedback.
• Advise on event strategy, format innovation, and best practices in international event coordination.
• Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures and events coordination guidelines.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Event Coordination, International Relations, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field with at least 5 years of relevant experience. A Bachelor's degree combined with ten or more years of directly relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a graduate degree.
• More than four years of experience coordinating and mentoring teams with more than three people, consistently driving collaboration and professional development.
• A minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in planning and coordinating high-level international events, including large-scale intergovernmental or multilateral meetings.
• In-depth knowledge of World Bank event processes, institutional protocols, and operational standards; capable of independently developing guidance materials and training or upskilling staff.
• More than three years demonstrated experience in World Bank procurement in an events context, including vendor sourcing, contracting, developing Purchase Orders and coordination in compliance with institutional procurement frameworks. Ability to guide and build the team's procurement competencies.
• Experience collaborating with World Bank Country Offices on event planning and delivery, with the ability to translate that experience into practical guides, workflows, and training programs for the events team.
• Experience working with international organizations, multilateral institutions, or in a development context is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of developing institutional knowledge products such as standard operating procedures, how-to guides, or training curricula based on hands-on operational experience.
• Familiarity with GEF processes, Country Engagement Strategy or similar intergovernmental mechanisms is an advantage.
• Demonstrated leadership and people coordination skills, with a coaching and mentoring mindset.
• Strong project coordination skills, with the ability to coordinate multiple events simultaneously under tight deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and logistical coordination abilities.
• High proficiency in event coordination tools and platforms, including hybrid/virtual event technologies.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English; proficiency in additional GEF working languages (French, Spanish) is an asset.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and engage diplomatically with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Integrity and Credibility, Assertive Communication, Sound judgment, problem-solving ability, and composure under pressure.

Skills

• Event Coordination
• International Event Planning
• Technical Mentoring
• World Bank Event Processes
• Institutional Protocols
• Procurement in Events
• Vendor Sourcing
• Contract Management
• Purchase Order Development
• Procurement Compliance
• Collaboration with Country Offices
• Training Program Development
• Standard Operating Procedures Implementation
• How-to Guide Development
• Training Curricula Development
• Project Coordination
• Logistics Coordination
• Hybrid Event Technologies
• Virtual Event Technologies
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication

Languages

English, French, Spanish