External Affairs Officer- Data Outreach Officer

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. 

The mission of the Office of the World Bank Chief Statistician and Director of the Development Data Group (DECDG) is to put data to work for development. DECDG provides technical expertise and supports countries with a range of data and statistics priorities, including development indicators, methods, standards, and tools for data work; support for data governance; and promotion of better use and management of development data.  DECDG prizes innovation and partnership, validating and incorporating new technologies, working closely with partners, and serving as an interface to the global development data community.  

• DECDG is looking for a talented individual to join our team, and bring their experience with compelling storytelling, strategic communication, social media and multimedia products, and high-level event design and delivery.
• Why is DECDG looking for help with outreach, content development, and other communications?  Because improving society’s fact-based view of the world is vital for progress.  We know that our role as an international organization can’t stop at publishing databases or releasing research papers. We need to transform data into knowledge through effective and compelling story-telling.  We likewise need to use cutting-edge, deliberate approaches and platforms to engage, inform, and inspire audiences around the world.
• Do you want to work with world class data scientists, statisticians, and economists who are doing some of the most important data-driven development work in the world?  Do you want to apply your creative, editorial and technical skills to “tell the data story” about the key issues of our time, from efforts to overcome the pandemic, to combatting climate change and enabling green growth, to scaling up digital transformations, to building human capital around the world, and more?
• This is a three-year role to start, suited to someone with a strong portfolio of work, an interest in international development and experience in a news organization working on data-driven journalism and/or strategic communications.

Responsibilities

• DECDG is expanding its knowledge and outreach activities to meet the needs of the World Bank’s client countries and the world development community while also helping to improve the effectiveness of Bank operations. Creating knowledge involves data, analysis, research, global monitoring and projections, statistical capacity-building, policy review and advice, and communications.

Duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Oversee key outreach-related projects as directed by the Office of the Chief Statistician and World Bank Development Data Group Director, ensuring effective follow-up and reporting, meeting established milestones, and successful implementation.
• Assist the Office of the World Bank Chief Statistician on key initiatives related to the Knowledge Compact for Action—including DEC events that introduce ideas on cutting-edge data  and research initiatives, challenge current thinking, and reexamine development theories and practices.
• Prepare priority speeches, talking points, op-eds, collateral, and other written products to advance a compelling and integrated narrative regarding the World Bank’s efforts to transform data and ideas into development impact.
• Develop highly compelling narratives and key communications and media content, such as written case studies, social media content, multimedia, a podcast, virtual and in-person events, and documentation of impact and development transformation associated with DECDG’s work, as needed.
• Generate and implement forward-thinking design, visualization, and content ideas for compelling data-driven stories for an array of non-statistical audiences around the world.
• Provide editorial leadership on data projects as required and advise on best approaches for data-led storytelling and the development and publication of data-led projects within the World Bank.
• Collaborate with DECDG leadership to design, develop, and support implementation of DECDG’s “Let’s Talk Data” virtual (and, post-pandemic, in-person) event series to showcase compelling and timely data and statistics insights, operational work, and products on a regular basis.
• Identify and lead outreach to public figures and selected influencers to convey target messages about DECDG and its core work areas.
• Provide strategic and timely advice to DECDG’s director and leadership team on strategic positioning, message clarity, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.
• Coordinate with relevant teams—both internally (with External Communications Relations, as well as with Global Practices and Regions) and externally with partners—to promote DECDG narratives across digital platforms; use existing digital assets (social media, blogs, website) to reinforce strategic key messages.
• Represent the World Bank Data Team at selected local, national, regional, and/or global events to showcase World Bank data-driven flagships and work.
• Additional communications support as required.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or above, with emphasis on economic policy, business, and financial markets.
• Minimum of 5 years of journalism or public-relations experience.
• Record of success in producing high-impact awareness campaigns and data visualizations to translate complex research findings into digestible insights for stakeholders.
• Experience in planning, marketing, and executive major conferences that bring together global thought leaders.
• Demonstrated experience working strategically across the organization to coordinate efforts, set clear priorities, and develop learning programs.
• Strong understanding of World Bank policies, instruments, and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage and execute high-priority projects, ensuring adherence to milestones and successful implementation.
• Excellent communication, diplomatic, negotiating, and mentoring skills, with demonstrated strong personal maturity, balanced judgment, and a track record of building and maintaining partnerships with colleagues and clients.
• Leadership skills to ensure that the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches, working across boundaries.

Source: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=28964&site=1