Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
Established in 1944, the World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for development solutions. In fiscal year 2023, the World Bank committed $72.8 billion in 94 countries. It is governed by 189-member countries and delivers services out of 120 offices with nearly 15,000 staff located globally.
The WBG consists of five specialized institutions: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), and the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The World Bank is organized into seven client-facing Regional Vice-Presidencies, several corporate functions, and Global Practices to bring best-in-class knowledge and solutions to regional and country clients.
The mandate of the External and Corporate Relations (ECR) Vice Presidency is to strengthen the WBG’s development impact by increasing public support for, and awareness of, the mission and work of the WBG. ECR colleagues provide trusted advice, stakeholder engagement and communications strategies in support of our advocacy goals, while enhancing and protecting the reputation of the institution. ECR manages global engagement with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, private sector, donor countries, and multilateral and international organizations (including the EU, OECD, and UN agencies); and manages corporate communications, including online and social media; issues and reputational risk management; and employee engagement.
ECR Europe manages relationships with key stakeholders, including government counterparts, parliament, civil society, private sector, academia and international organizations in the traditional European development partner and donor countries.
The Country Dialogue between the WBG and the Nordic and Baltic (NB) countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden) is managed out of the WBG’s Paris Office. The External Affairs Officer for the NB countries is responsible for analysis and advice to ECR Europe leadership and WBG Senior Management on the NB policy dialogue, development priorities and overall authorizing environment relative to the WBG mission and activities. This includes maintaining a strong dialogue with NB authorities and stakeholders, staying abreast of political and economic developments, and implementing multi-constituency outreach programs in said countries.
The Paris-based External Affairs Officer is expected to spend most of her/his time on issues related to the Country Dialogue with the Nordic and Baltic countries. S/he reports to ECR Special Representative to Europe, who is also based in Paris.
Country Dialogue with the Nordic and Baltic Countries
The External Affairs Officer is part of the ECR Europe team of Country Counselors, who advance the development agenda of the World Bank and of the international community across the Western European capitals. Each member of the team works on one specific country or country cluster and, at the same time, contributes to the broader analysis of the partner landscape. This means that, in addition to the primary country responsibility, each team member will have secondary tasks that advance European policy dialogues, business intelligence gathering and resource mobilization.
Specifically, the country dialogue with the Nordic and Baltic (NB) countries aims to:
•Maintain a strong dialogue with and enhance the cooperation between the WBG and NB countries.
•Strengthen the financial, political, institutional and knowledge partnerships with national institutions and stakeholders.
•Foster communication and outreach with key constituencies, including parliaments, civil society, think tanks, private sector, foundations, and academia.
•Increase the practical collaboration between WBG units, including the Global Practices (GPs) and NB counterparts.
European Media Team.
The media team coordinates with ECR Europe’s Country Counselors on the overall outreach to the media in Western Europe. The External Affairs Officer works closely with the World Bank’s corporate media team in Europe.
Duties & Accountabilities:
Country Dialogue with the Nordic and Baltic Countries.
The External Affairs Officer is expected to play a key role in supporting the Country Dialogue with the NB countries, including:
•Planning, coordinating, and implementing outreach activities of the World Bank in the NB countries.
•Preparing regular or on-demand briefs on political and economic issues concerning the NB countries.
•Act as the WBG’s premier source of donor intelligence on the NB countries.
Specifically, the External Affairs Officer is expected to handle the following tasks:
Planning and Program:
•Identify counterparts, partners, priorities, and thematic foci for the World Bank’s outreach in the NB countries and lead the preparation of a comprehensive outreach strategy.
•Coordinate the Nordic Development Partner Coverage Team with colleagues from the Development Finance Vice-Presidency (DFi), and with the WBG’s private sector arm IFC (the International
Finance Corporation).
•Implement the outreach strategy, focusing on key constituencies in the NB countries, including governments and parliaments, civil society, academia and think tanks.
Research, Analysis and Briefing:
•Prepare in-depth NB political and economic analyses for World Bank management and staff, taking into consideration the impact of national policies, trends, and attitudes on a country’s bilateral and multilateral development cooperation.
•Prepare briefings for meetings between World Bank management/staff and counterparts, including for the World Bank Spring and Annual Meetings, World Bank staff visits to the NB countries, and other briefing requests.
•Monitor and evaluate development cooperation risks and opportunities, and their potential impact on World Bank programs and NB cooperation.
Networking:
•Serve as first point of contact for NB inquiries into the WBG.
•Liaise, manage, and maintain relationships with key development cooperation partners.
•Identify and establish relationships with auxiliary partners in the broader authorizing environment.
Visits and Events:
•Organize events, seminars, and conferences and/or, if applicable, WBG staff participation in events, seminars, or conferences in the NB countries.
•Organize and manage logistics and schedules of visits of WBG Senior Management to the NB countries.
Management of Staff:
•Guide and oversee team support to the country dialogue with NB countries.
Selection Criteria
•Minimum of a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in economics, development, political science, international relations/public affairs, law or any other related field, combined with at least 5 years of relevant practical experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience
•Superior analytical skills coupled with proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely in English, both verbally and in writing. Ability to extract essential elements from voluminous materials and to present them concisely and coherently in written and spoken form.
•Active network within the authorizing environments in one or more NB countries.
•Fluency in Danish, Norwegian or Swedish a must.
•Good overall knowledge of the WBG, its mission and strategy. Familiarity with the World Bank’s operations, policies, and procedures (project cycle and World Bank-financed projects) is an advantage.
•Good knowledge and understanding of the economy, culture, institutions, media, regions, and political trends in at least one and preferably several of the NB countries. Knowledge of the EU and European institutions is a plus.
•Knowledge of ODA priorities and positions in the different NB countries.
•Strong interest in development issues and public affairs.
•Ability to effectively interact with internal and external clients at all levels in a multicultural environment, and to exercise judgment, tact, and discretion in dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters.
•Good understanding of communications approaches, tools and methodologies related to planning, executing, and monitoring internal and/or external communications campaigns, strategies and programs.
•Excellent sense of initiative, drive for results and client orientation coupled with strong planning and organizational skills.
•Proven ability to work independently as well as under pressure, to multi-task and to adjust priorities to achieve results in line with agreed objectives and deadlines.
•Ability and willingness to work well as part of a team in a multicultural environment, and across units within the WBG.
•Proficiency in the World Bank’s standard computer technology packages (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and familiarity with the Internet and web-based research.
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.
