BSTDB – Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

Senior Officer, External Relations and Communications Department (DER)

BSTDB – Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

Thessaloniki, Greece

Ref.No: 105
Division/Department: External Relations and Communications Department (DER)/Administration Division
Position Type: Professional
Closing Date: 27-Nov-2025, 17:30 (Greece Time)
Appointment Type: Three-year fixed-term appointment (internal candidates holding open-ended appointments will retain their status if they apply)

Position Purpose

Under the general guidance of the Director, DER, the Senior Officer supports the strategic execution of BSTDB’s external relations and communications agenda. The role enhances the Bank’s visibility and stakeholder engagement through media outreach, digital content, institutional partnerships, and event coordination. It ensures consistent messaging, supports branding and protocol efforts, and contributes to promotional initiatives. The Senior Officer may represent the Department in internal and external engagements aligned with the Bank’s strategic goals.

Key Functions and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, DER, the Senior Officer, is performing the following tasks:

Support for Strategic Planning

Provides input into departmental work plans, budgets, and outreach strategies; supports policy reviews and activity tracking; assists the Director in reporting communications outcomes and identifying cost-effective outreach opportunities.

External Relations and Institutional Engagement

Strengthens relationships with external stakeholders, prepares materials for high-level engagements, supports official visits and protocol arrangements, and assists in promoting BSTDB membership and Observer Status to relevant institutions.

Media and Public Information

Supports media relations across member countries and internationally; drafts press materials and speeches; organizes briefings, interviews, and events; monitors coverage and prepares internal analysis.

Digital Communications and Publications

Coordinates content planning and quality review for social media and the website; collaborates on corporate publications; contributes to promotional messaging and digital campaigns; monitors analytics to support engagement improvements.

Event Coordination and Business Promotion

Supports planning and execution of BSTDB’s participation in international events; coordinates logistics, sponsorships, and vendor management; assists with public project signings and stakeholder engagements to ensure timely and effective delivery.

Branding and Promotional Materials

Contributes to the development of branding strategy and promotional planning; supports vendor selection and budget planning for promotional and hospitality activities; supports consistent presentation of BSTDB’s identity across materials and platforms.

Internal Collaboration and Representation

Serves as liaison with front office and support departments; represents DER in internal initiatives; contributes to communications innovation; and may deputize for the Director in select engagements.

Core Competencies

• Professionalism: maintains a level of expertise and professional knowledge commensurate with the respective position and job description;
• Results orientation: demonstrates ability for achieving results against an internal or external standard of excellence;
• Communication and interaction with impact: Transfers efficiently and effectively information and messages, wields effective tactics for persuasion;
• Client/stakeholder orientation – ensures appropriate service of high standard to internal and/or external customers and develops constructive and sustainable business/customer relationships;
• Teamwork: effectively cooperates with others aiming at the achievement of team objectives;
• Cultural sensitivity/diversity: supports and promotes an environment that holds opportunities for all, regardless of race, gender, culture and age;
• Integrity: maintains standards of objectivity, independence and discretion. Behaves ethically and in consistency with institutional core values;
• Accountability: exhibits a strong sense of responsibility for one’s work and resulting consequences;
• Innovation and change: is open to and applies novel ideas and thinking to improve processes, methods, systems or services. Accepts and adapts to changes;
• Critical thinking: clarifies goals, examines assumptions, evaluates evidence, accomplishes actions, and assesses conclusions.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• First University degree or equivalent in communications, public relations, international relations, political science, journalism or marketing;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English;
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office Packages;
• Understanding of institutional communications, stakeholder engagement, and international relations;
• Awareness of diplomatic norms, cultural sensitivities, and formal communication practices;
• Ability to align messaging with institutional goals and adapt to diverse audiences;
• Knowledge of media landscapes, press protocols, social media platforms, and digital content strategy;
• Proficient in social media management, content creation, and analytics interpretation;
• Skilled in engaging with press, drafting releases, and managing interviews and briefings;
• Experienced in planning and executing high-level events and official visits;
• Strong interpersonal skills for building relationships with institutional partners and external audiences;
• At least 8 years of relevant working experience in one or more of the following areas: journalism, international relations, international marketing, strategic communication, public affairs, external relations, institutional communications, media relations, or digital communication.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in communications, public relations, international relations, political science, journalism or marketing;
• Excellent command of a BSTDB member country language;
• Strong understanding of regional dynamics in the Black Sea area and BSTDB’s operational context;
• Demonstrated ability to represent an institution in international forums, conferences, or media engagements;
• Working experience in the region of the BSTDB’s operations;
• Experience working in or with international financial institutions, development banks, multilateral organizations, government agencies, diplomatic missions, global NGOs, or organizations involved in public affairs, policy advocacy, or international cooperation.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

For a candidate to participate in the competitive selection for this position, s/he must meet at least the following minimum requirements:

• Education: First University degree or equivalent in communications, public relations, international relations, political science, journalism or marketing;
• Experience: At least 8 years of relevant working experience in one or more of the following areas: journalism, international relations, international marketing, strategic communication, public affairs, external relations, institutional communications, media relations, or digital communication.

Application Procedure

In order for your application for the above vacancy to be considered valid, please:

1. Complete the BSTDB Application Form in full:
   • Provide an answer to EACH question (box). Please note that if no answer is provided to any of the questions (relevant box is left empty), the application will be disqualified;
   • If a question is not applicable to you, please insert “N/A” in the relevant box;
   • No additional documents (such as CVs) will be considered.
2. Send the completed BSTDB Application Form as an attachment to: recruit@bstdb.org (This email address is solely for submitting applications. Please do not send inquiries to this address).

Kindly include only the Reference Number of the vacancy you are applying for, along with your full name, in the subject line of your email.

Example: 105 John Smith

You will receive an automatic response that your application has been successfully received.

The closing date for applications is Thursday, 27 November 2025 at 17:30 pm (Greece Time).

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.