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The Communications Department (COM) is the International Monetary Fund’s strategic center for communication. It develops and coordinates the IMF’s external and internal communications strategy, shapes the IMF’s key messages, advises IMF management and staff on how best to convey key messages, and monitors and responds to what people outside the IMF say about the institution and its activity.

The Media Relations and Social Outreach Division is responsible for handling the IMF’s engagements with media and for its overall presence on social media. It handles day-to-day contacts with journalists; the drafting of media and social media communications, including Talking Points and Lines-To-Take; the organization of media opportunities and events for management and staff; and for generally promoting public understanding of Fund policies and practices through clear, consistent and targeted messaging.

We are seeking to recruit a Communications Officer to contribute to the strategic direction of the Fund’s media and social engagements. Under the general supervision of the Division Chief and Deputy Division Chiefs, key responsibilities for Communication Officers include:

• Playing a leading role in promoting the public’s understanding of the Fund’s operations and activities through the media, including social media channels and digital media.
• Working regularly with reporters, drafting and editing press releases, talking points, speeches, social media assets, and briefing materials for senior IMF officials.
• Lead on regular media events, including regular press briefings, off-the-record roundtables, and management travel.
• Creating and implementing strategies for media outreach.
• Monitoring news developments and trends and contributing to media impact analyses associated with high-profile news-generating events, including management travel, flagship publications, and conferences.
• Participating in the Communications Department’s matrix approach to working with other IMF departments on communication issues.
• Serving as the Communications Department focal point for a number of files, to be determined by the Division Chief and Deputy Division chiefs.

Competencies:

The selected candidate will be expected to demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of and practical experience in a range of communications strands, such as media relations, message targeting, stakeholder management, and marketing communications.
• Demonstrated experience presenting to and interacting with members of the media, executive leaders, and a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong experience working with tier 1 broadcast outlets and securing top placements for principals.
• Excellent writing, editing and research skills, and an ability to produce high-quality and engaging material for both internal and external consumption.
• An ability to think strategically and to rapidly synthesize information from varied sources into concise conclusions and recommendations.
• Big picture thinking, with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, while maintaining a pulse on the details.
• Familiarity with online writing techniques, including writing for the web and social media.
• Ability to work under pressure and to juggle multiple tasks on tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated willingness to assist others and perform whatever tasks necessary to help the team achieve its goals.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
• High levels of initiative, judgement, and decisiveness in accomplishing tasks; and proven ability to work independently. Strong diplomatic, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

Experience and minimum qualifications:

• Educational development, typically acquired by the completion of an advanced university degree, or equivalent, in communications, international relations, languages, or a related field; or a university degree, or equivalent, supplemented by a minimum of six years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience in a multi-cultural and fast-moving international environment is desirable.
• A strong knowledge of a second language (particularly French, Spanish or Arabic) would be an added bonus.

This vacancy shall be filled by a 3-year Term appointment in accordance with the Fund’s new employment rules that took effect on May 1, 2015.

A regular staff member who is selected to fill the vacancy will maintain their open-ended status. If the selected candidate is a contractual employee, they will be offered a Term staff appointment. Staff members already on a term appointment will continue their current term but may receive an extension provided that their current term appointment has not already been extended.

Department:

COMMS Communications Department Media and Social Outreach Division

Hiring For:

A09, A10

The IMF is committed to achieving a diverse staff, including age, creed, culture, disability, educational background, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, nationality, race, religion and beliefs, and sexual orientation. We welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities during the selection process.