Communications Officer

Context of the position

 Are you passionate about having an impact on people’s lives and contributing to solving some of the world’s greatest development challenges? Do you believe that the private sector can provide practical and efficient responses to the most pressing issues in Türkiye and Central Asia and generate growth and jobs to drive down poverty and improve the quality of life for people? Then consider this opportunity.

 We are looking to hire a Communications Officer to join our Regional Communications team, implement our communications strategy, and develop content for Türkiye and Central Asia. The position requires a highly motivated and multi-skilled person with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team to promote IFC’s work in Türkiye in particular and support communications in Central Asia. The right candidate will be highly organized and a good team player. They are expected to travel to areas where security issues might appear to perform their role effectively.

 The Communications Officer will be an integral member of the Regional Communications Unit. This Unit works closely with Corporate and Industry communications teams to advance business development and communicate IFC’s impact in regions of coverage. Regional Communications Officers engage with IFC’s stakeholders (companies and businesses, development partners, civil society, and others) to promote projects that showcase IFC’s leadership and innovation as the premier partner of choice for the private sector in emerging and developing economies. The Regional Communications Unit collaborates regularly with counterparts within the World Bank Group.

 Roles and Responsibilities

• The Communications Officer for Türkiye and Central Asia will be based in Istanbul, Türkiye, and report to the Europe, Türkiye, and Central Asia Communications Lead based in Vienna, Austria. The Communications Officer works closely with the Communications Officer based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Central Asia.
• With guidance from the Regional Communications Lead and in collaboration with regional communications teams at different World Bank Group organizations, the Communications Officer’s specific responsibilities will include, among others:

 Advice and strategic communications

• Serve as a trusted advisor on communications to IFC management and staff leading IFC’s operations in Türkiye and Central Asia.
• Provide guidance on internal and external communications, partnership opportunities, and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate with other regional communications colleagues to design and execute a coherent communications strategy in the sub-region that elevates IFC’s brand in the region.

Messaging and Content Creation

• Identify and draft stories in IFC’s Türkiye and Central Asia portfolio.
• Develop compelling and engaging content for various communication channels, including social media, newsletters, press releases, and websites.
• Write and/or coordinate the preparation of high-profile speeches, talking points, op-eds, and presentations, as well as client-facing collaterals and internal staff engagement content.

Social Media

• Proactively contribute creative content to regional and corporate social media channels, including creating and scheduling posts, monitoring engagements, and analyzing metrics.

Networking and media relations

• Proactively establish media contacts, especially with financial media in Türkiye and Central Asia, maintaining regular contacts with journalists.
• Initiate effective professional relationships with other key external and internal constituencies (e.g., civil society, academia, businesses, government agencies, influencers, World Bank Group colleagues, etc.) in accordance with priorities defined by the operational teams and Communications Management.

 Events

• Map external events in Türkiye and Central Asia, coordinating participation of IFC leadership in key events.
• Design impactful IFC-hosted events.

Collaboration

Work closely with cross-functional teams and with World Bank Group regional communications colleagues to gather information, align messaging, and ensure consistent communication strategies.

 Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor media coverage and compile regular reports on communication activities, highlighting key metrics and suggesting improvements.

Risk management

• In collaboration with the regional communications team, reputational issues and risk management team, and industry communications team, support risk identification and mitigation activities in the context of regional and operational communication interventions.
• Advise specific internal and external stakeholders on managing responses in challenging circumstances.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communications, political science, international relations, public relations/affairs, marketing, journalism, or any other related field, plus at least five years of relevant work experience in communications/journalism. In addition, a degree in Business Administration and/or working experience in investment operations will be valued. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Turkish. Russian language skills are considered a plus.
• Solid experience in communications and/or journalism and a proven track record of producing high-quality communications materials.
• Experience in developing engaging content for social media channels.
• Strong understanding of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies related to planning, executing, and monitoring external communications strategies.
• Good understanding of the media landscape (with a solid network) and social media in Türkiye, as well as experience in developing engaging social media content.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage relationships with senior executives.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with industry subject-matter experts and operational leads and understand technical aspects related to operations, portfolios, and investments to develop impactful communications strategy.
• Good knowledge of social, political, economic, and regional trends, and business development issues and influencers.
• Strong organizational, research, and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated project-management skills in relation to event organization.
• Ability to develop solid relationships with key stakeholders and the media and to build partnerships.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with internal/external partners.
• Ability to operate effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Understanding of multilateral development banks, including the World Bank Group, its policies and operations, a plus, as well as basic understanding of current development topics and issues, a plus. Experience working with other development finance institutions is a plus.
• WBG Core Competencies for all staff: Client orientation; Drive for results; Teamwork of collaboration and inclusion; Knowledge, Learning, and Communication; and Business judgment and analytical decision-making.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=27216&site=1