MELISSA WALLACE
Kingston,Jamaica
Summary
Knowledgeable, results-driven professional, with over 15 years of successfully working in both team-based and self-directed capacities. Adept at handling multiple projects and prioritizing tasks with a willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. 8 years of professional experience in an international development environment supporting senior executives who coordinate and monitor programs/projects that focus on supporting countries to address their development challenges. Extensive knowledge in collaborating/coordinating with senior management across different organizations (public and private), governments; locally, regionally and on the international scene (Governments of Grenada, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; USAID, GAC, DFID, IADB, UN, CDB, EU).
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Procurement Analyst Mentee
World Bank Group
10.2023 - Current
- Support project Implementing Units with the revision and finalization of their Project Procurement Strategy Document (PPSD).
- Prepare Procurement Summary before each mission.
- Assist in conducting Procurement Post Reviews.
- Create contracts for STT/C, maintain and track short-term.
- Follow up with executing Agencies post mission on action items
- Provided logistical support to the 2024 joint CDB/OECS/World Bank Procurement Fair.
- Coordinate procurement training for PIU staff. Act as a Systematic Tracking of Exchanges Procurement (STEP) Focal Point to provide system support to clients experiencing difficulty updating project procurement plan via STEP.
Program Assistant
World Bank
09.2021 - Current
- Support the Operations Manager and operations team with monitoring and tracking of 70+ active regional projects.
- Coordinated government and donor engagements for the Jamaica Country Partnership Framework FY24-27.
- Provided logistical support to the Jamaica Systematic Country Diagnostic 2022.
- Provided logistical and operational support for 3 Country Portfolio Performance Reviews (CPPRs) in Grenada (2022), Jamaica (2022,2023,2024) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (2023).
- Assist with planning and coordinating day-to-day and special program activities (e.g. LC3 PIU Training, March 2025, WDR Dissemination Event, October 2024).
- Drafted and edited 25+ mission briefs, letters and official communications, to support high-level missions and senior leadership engagement with clients and partners.
- Drafted TORs for consultants, created STT/STC contracts, facilitated recruitment and onboarding, ensuring compliance with Bank procurement processes.
- Provide logistical and operational support to mission teams in the region.
- Established rapport with clients through exceptional customer service practices, fostering ongoing relationships built on trust and respect.
Executive Assistant
World Bank Group
01.2018 - 08.2021
- Managed and prioritize the Resident Representative's schedule to ensure that his time is focused on critical, strategic issues; Use Microsoft Tool to prioritize approximately 300 emails weekly.
- Coordinate communications, track and follow up on requests and identify those of importance which require immediate attention, draft correspondence to government officials and other stakeholders.
- Responsible for accurate and effective planning of events and visits of senior executive of the Bank, utilize outlook To DO as well as outlook to schedule clients, accommodate unforeseen changes and last-minute appointments.
- Coordinated external events for the Bank: Farewell reception for outgoing Manager and the World Bank's 55th anniversary celebration, inclusive of venue, catering and managing the guest list and invitations.
- Facilitate timely access to development partners across government, civil society, academia and other country offices by cultivating a responsive network of contacts.
- Anticipate and proactively address workflow needs, adjusting staffing levels to account for peak and moderate periods, and ensuring optimal performance of team by coordinating work, providing motivation and guidance, and facilitating access to training as needed.
- Act as the point of contact for employees, clients and other external stakeholders.
- Conduct tender for the supply of Janitorial Service for Jamaica Office in accordance with Bank guidelines.
- Conduct tender for the supply of cleaning service (blinds) for the Jamaica Office in accordance with Bank guidelines.
- Oversee the daily operation of the office; including overseeing the janitorial staff.
- Handled confidential and sensitive information with discretion and tact.
- Managed executive calendars, scheduling meetings and appointments and coordinating travel arrangements to optimize time.
- Streamlined executive communication by managing emails, phone calls, and scheduling appointments.
Project Office Assistant
INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
03.2015 - 01.2018
- Managed meeting calendar for Country Representative and Chief of Operations and increased time available for critical activities by taking over the preparation of routine correspondences, providing feedback to requests received from government officials and reviewing all documents for completeness and accuracy before submitting for signature.
- Provided administrative support to multiple Project Specialists and was responsible for developing and coordinating project schedules.
- Managed all travel arrangements, maintained relevant project correspondence.
- Built and maintained contacts network comprised of government agencies, donors, civil society organizations and other stakeholders, ensuring distribution and contact lists were kept current.
- Performed special tasks as assigned by Specialists, Operation Analysts and Administrative Section, providing project assistance and using technology skills to format documents in accordance with guidelines.
Administrative Assistant (Faculty Representative)
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
05.2012 - 01.2014
- Assisted team with execution of core faculty activities and coordination of seminars and events.
- Received clients and advised students of admissions, registration, and examination processes.
- Processed request documents and entered information on main and subsidiary systems.
- Communicated decisions relating to enrolment application to students and departments and liaised with graduate programme coordinators to resolve student issues.
- Composed and edited email correspondence and memoranda; copied, collated, mailed, faxed and shipped sensitive examination material to examiners and other university personnel.
- Facilitated degree-awarding process for graduate students, liaising with other departments to gather information needed for the processing of theses and research papers.
- Administered the examination process, maintaining communication with students and examiners.
Customer Service Representative
01.2012 - 05.2012
- Served as primary contact for prospective and continuing graduate students, promptly addressing concerns and queries, providing programme information, and preparing status letters as requested.
- Manned telephone lines, directing calls to relevant staff or department.
Assistant Customer Relations Manager
Texas Rotisserie & Grill
05.2010 - 12.2011
- Built client relationships by responding to inquiries, identifying and assessing clients' needs, resolving problems, and following up with potential and existing clients.
Records Management Assistant
University of the West Indies
12.2005 - 06.2008
Education
MSc - Public Sector Management
University of The West Indies
07.2018
Advanced Diploma - Project Management
City University of New York
01.2012
Certificate - Office Administration
US Career Institute
Fort Collins, CO01.2010
BSc - International Relations & Public Administration
University of the West Indies
01.2005
Skills
- Project Management
- Calendar Management
- Document preparation and proofreading
- Meeting & Event planning and Coordination
- Procurement
- Recruitment & Onboarding
- Time Management and organization
- Relationship Management
- Communication Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PPT, Word)
- Operations Portal
- Standard Reports
- SAP systems
- Microsoft To Do
- Microsoft Teams/Webex/Zoom
- Microsoft Excel
Certification
- September 2023 | Systematic Tracking of Exchanges in Procurement
- September 2023 | Procurement Core eLearning
- 2016 Certificate | Introduction to Procurement on Projects Financed by the Caribbean Development Bank 2016
- January 2023 | Procuring WBG Meeting and Event Services
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Procurement Analyst Mentee
World Bank Group
10.2023 - Current
Program Assistant
World Bank
09.2021 - Current
Executive Assistant
World Bank Group
01.2018 - 08.2021
Project Office Assistant
INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
03.2015 - 01.2018
Administrative Assistant (Faculty Representative)
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
05.2012 - 01.2014
Customer Service Representative
01.2012 - 05.2012
Assistant Customer Relations Manager
Texas Rotisserie & Grill
05.2010 - 12.2011
Records Management Assistant
University of the West Indies
12.2005 - 06.2008
Advanced Diploma - Project Management
City University of New York
Certificate - Office Administration
US Career Institute
BSc - International Relations & Public Administration
University of the West Indies
MSc - Public Sector Management
University of The West Indies
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