External Affairs Officer - GF

World Bank Group

Description

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External and Corporate Relations Vice-Presidency (ECR)

ECR is responsible for the Group's corporate online and social media presence, and produces content for a wide variety of platforms, including print, broadcast, and web.

ECREL

ECR's Department for External Affairs (ECREL) provides strategic communication guidance to the World Bank Group's Regions and Verticals. The ECREL team works to ensure that high impact strategic communication approaches, aligned to corporate priorities, are deployed across the World Bank Group.

ECRHD

ECRHD is the division of ECREL that provides strategic communication guidance to the People vertical. The People vertical encompasses Education, Health, Social Protection, and Gender. This team is responsible for messaging/positioning, reputational risk management, leadership communications and advocacy.

ECRHD is seeking a highly experienced, well-rounded and dynamic External Affairs Officer to play a key role in developing and implementing communication plans that support the organization's priorities.

Responsibilities and Duties

Cross-cutting support for ECRHD/People communication/advocacy strategies:

• Play a substantial role in delivering and measuring communications campaigns, and driving impact for our knowledge (reports, data experts). This includes supporting the roll out of current campaigns in Health, Gender and Social Protection, and leading on key report launches.
• Contribute to the overall development and implementation of strategic communication plans, with a focus on major advocacy campaigns and flagship reports. This includes identifying and producing facts, data, milestones, stories, and impact for internal and external audiences.
• Provide regular monitoring and reporting on campaign progress – including political economy, perceptions and opinions; use analytics to inform strategies on an ongoing basis and segment audiences for customized approaches.
• Design, write, and disseminate communications products (e.g., key messages and narratives, remarks/TPs, op-eds, blogs, briefing notes, and QAs) that are strategic and on-message. Liaise on, draft, and shepherd thought leadership pieces in coordination with People technical/leadership teams to support HD priorities. Link People messages with the corporate priorities and agenda and help position People leadership voices for external audiences.
• Plan and implement media strategies that support communications and advocacy objectives. (preparing media plans, media briefs, op-eds, press releases, talking points, QAs, etc.; organizing media calls/conferences and training; pitching to media; handling media queries and staffing interviews.)
• Establish/strengthen relationships with journalists, think tanks and other groups that can help us reach target audiences. Represent People on key media initiatives and meetings, liaising across ECRHD, corporate media, and regional teams (especially when it comes to VP mission travels).
• Proactively manage reputational risk on People issues and positions that are often complex and/or sensitive. Work with sectoral leads to develop outreach strategies for risk mitigation, holding lines, defensive QAs, and briefs for various issues, announcements and engagements.
• Regularly work with regions to connect global audiences to the Bank's impact and results on the ground. Foster effective, systematic planning across assigned region(s) and ECRHD to help ensure alignment in strategic planning, messaging, and risk management.

Communications focal point, People Chief Economist & Human Capital Project:

• Provide strategic communications advice to the Chief Economist, focusing on enhancing both external and internal communications and engagements. Lead the launch of the People Flagship Report and the updated Human Capital Index, shaping messaging and outreach strategies
• Oversee and implement the communications strategy for the Human Capital Project, managing key launches, announcements, and events, including the Annual/Spring Meetings conclaves.
• Advise the HCP manager on strategic approaches to communicating the project's impact, identifying opportunities and risks through effective communication planning. Advise the HCP team members on their day-to-day communications needs, web updates, blogs, and social media.

Selection Criteria

• A Master's degree (Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Economics or other related field) plus a minimum of five years of relevant work experience or a bachelor's degree with at least 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience with the communication tools, methodologies, and approaches essential to develop and execute strategies in such areas as messaging and positioning, media and online outreach, events, risk management, stakeholder engagement, relationship building, campaign building.
• Ability to engage in informed discussions of issues and understand the impact of specific projects or of WBG's operations on stakeholders, related risks, and how to mitigate these through communication approaches.
• Experience using communication measurement tools (online and offline) and translating the data into action in order to continuously improve communication outcomes.
• Experience developing targeted communication strategies for specific audiences.
• Knowledge of issues, risks, key partners and opportunities related to the People vertical. Solid understanding of global development topics and ability to identify communications-related opportunities and risks in an international environment.
• Demonstrated understanding of the political and economic contexts relevant to the WBG's work, including political dynamics and how critical stakeholders such as development organizations, civil society, and the public interaction on the issues.
• Content Development: Excellent English language skills and proficiency to write and message complex communications products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and logical, persuasive presentation.
• Demonstrated ability and the necessary personal organization skills to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results.
• Demonstrated ability for teamwork in a multicultural environment.
• Experience in external communications on Human Development issues and engaging with external stakeholders operating in this arena a strong plus.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.

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• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you're preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at recruitment@cinfo.ch, and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

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Job type: Staff (Permanent and Fixed Term)