Senior External Affairs Officer

<!–

Description

–>

• Provides strategic support to operations by embedding communications into the operations project cycle and reform processes and tells the story of the impact and results of World Bank support to its clients.
• Proactively works to strengthens strategic relationships and alliances with key influencers in civil society, media, academia, think tanks, Parliament, faith-based groups, labor groups, etc., to build political support for the WBG’s work in the region and in-country.
• Provides guidance, analysis, and advice as trusted advisors to regional and country management teams to help position the Bank as partner of choice, capitalize on opportunities to tell the development story and collaborates with operational teams to manage risks. 

• Identifies opportunities for and forges strategic partnerships with key stakeholders inside and outside the WBG (including media, NGOs, civil society, universities/think tanks, and government) to improve dialogue and outreach and to strengthen the WBG’s overall effectiveness and image in EAP. 
• Oversees planning, coordination, and logistics, often across multiple teams, for press briefings, major conferences and seminars, executive missions, and speeches, public or broadcast appearances; and other communications-related activities (for example report launches, events etc.) involving external and/or internal audiences in coordination with relevant regional and corporate colleagues as required.
• Leads in risk identification and mitigation activities in the context of WBG operations and initiatives in EAP; advises specific internal and external stakeholders. 
• Supports the Head of the ECREA team in maintaining alignment between the global, regional, and country narratives and messaging.
• As part of the ECREA regional leadership team, advises the BMPT country management unit and project/program leaders on trends, news developments, or changing/unexpected circumstances that may impact the WBG and its work, and determines appropriate strategic responses. 
• Provides communication guidance to WBG operational teams and government implementing agencies. These include review and comment on key documents, capacity building to undertake communication interventions, consultations, and stakeholder engagement activities through lending and non-lending activities (i.e., projects, programs, analytical work, etc.).
• Suppors the preparation of major communications products, including (but not limited to): briefings and speeches for senior management, news releases, web stories, talking points, PowerPoint presentations, promotional brochures or other publications, audio-video products, and background documents. 
• Lead on strategic advice, positioning, and issues management, providing timely guidance to ECREA Manager, Country Director, and the Leadership Teams.
• Advise management and project/program teams on trends, news developments, or changing/ unexpected circumstances that may impact the WBG and its work and determines appropriate strategic responses.
• Designs campaign-style media and stakeholder engagement plans, coalition building strategies and key messages to position the World Bank on key issues/projects/initiatives and maintains effective relationships with key national and international media audiences. Also manages and provides support to major outreach efforts and launches in the region.
• Oversee the management of websites, social media and other online communications platforms and outreach channels.
• Coordinates a team of staff members and consultants located in the regional CMU, and provides coaching, oversight, and review of the day-day work of communications staff based in the field.

• Demonstrated experience with proactively positioning issues and identifying impact externally and internally, developing impactful messaging, stakeholder engagement, media engagement and managing reputational risks and issues.
• 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. 
• Thorough knowledge of and practical experience in full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning, executing, and monitoring communications strategies – including campaign management, media operations, social marketing, opinion research, audience outreach, and targeted messaging. 
• Ability to plan and successfully implement a comprehensive communications program in support of defined objectives.
• In-depth knowledge of the social, political and development issues in the country with strong current knowledge of key constituencies, their operations, policies, practices, and priorities, particularly as they relate to and work with the Bank.
• Well established network of contacts in both media (global and regional) and among other key constituencies in the region.
• 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.
• Experience working with senior management, meeting multiple and changing deadlines, and delivering high quality strategic advice and communications products.
• 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 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. Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills. 
• Effective people skills; proven experience in working as both a leader and a member of team. 
• 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.
• Minimum Education: MA/MS (Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, or another related field.)
• Minimum Years of Relevant Experience: Minimum of 8 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.

<!—

<!–

–>