External Affairs Associate

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Description

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• Under the supervision of the Manager and with guidance from the Senior External Affairs Officer, the External Affairs Associate will assist to plan, develop, and implement effective communications and outreach strategies to support the WBG’s corporate, internal, and operational priorities, using the full range of modern communications tools including social media, digital publishing, and multi-media production.
• It is critical that the External Affairs Associate be equipped to evaluate potential risks associated with complex projects and to advice the design and implementation of strategies to minimize those risks.

• Strategies: Contribute strategic inputs for significant portions of planning, design, and implementation of strategies to promote effective communications with external and internal audiences on World Bank-financed operations, research products, and campaigns.
• Helps determine the most effective content and communications interventions to address the Bank’s program in Paraguay.

• On high-risk operations in the country, must monitor perceptions, track shifts in opinion, and respond to public inquiries.
• Must be able to interact with operations staff and project teams, organizing meetings with media and civil society, and other key stakeholders as appropriate.  
• Must be able to take the pulse of the country and advise country teams, with analyses on the political economy and regular monitoring of the media.

• Provide suggestions to identify opinion leaders and influential organizations in Paraguay and guide a strategy of engagement with these various stakeholders, which might range from parliamentarians to faith-based organizations to business associations and the media.
• Responsible for convening stakeholder groups for consultations and structured dialogues around projects, knowledge outputs, and country development priorities. Leads media relations on behalf of the Bank in Paraguay.

• Contributes to planning and delivering a range of written products on the World Bank’s operational goals, results and knowledge.
• Outputs range from traditional press releases and Op-Eds to web features, brochures, Q&As, briefing notes, and speeches. Responsible for updating the World Bank’s internal and external websites for the country.  

• Coordinates communications activities and events ranging from press conferences to large seminars and meetings, involving external and/or internal audiences.
• Technical and advisory support: Keeps World Bank managers and project teams informed on trends, news developments, or changing circumstances that may impact the WBG and its work and helps determine strategic responses.
• Provides regular communication support to WBG operational teams and government implementing agencies to assure that project goals are well-explained and that affected stakeholders are engaged at all stages.

• Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations.
• Knowledge of and practical experience in communications approaches, tools and methodologies.In-depth knowledge of Paraguay’s social, political and development issues with current knowledge of key constituencies, particularly as they relate to and work with the Bank;Well established network of contacts in both media and among other key constituencies in the country
• Good understanding of the Bank, its policies and operations; up-to-date knowledge of current development topics and issues in the region, and ability to identify communications-related risks and opportunities in an international environment.
• Proven planning and organizational skills.Strong conceptual and research/analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into conclusions and recommendations.
• Exceptional ability to write and edit in English and Spanish for a wide range of communication products as well as for the web, with experience conveying complex ideas in a clear, direct and lively, (non-academic) style.
• Effective interpersonal skills.Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and to otherwise cultivate effective, productive client relationships/partnerships and ability to work effectively with internal/external partners in a multicultural environment.

• BA/BS (Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, or other related field.)
• Minimum Years of Relevant Experience: Minimum of 3 years of proven experience in a full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning, designing, and executing effective communications strategies and programs.Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills. Spoken and written fluency required in English and Spanish.

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