Description

Do you want to build a truly worthwhile career? 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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

About the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a family of funds dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health. Its grants, blended financing, and policy support help developing countries address their biggest environmental priorities and adhere to international environmental conventions. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $23 billion and mobilized $129 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 national and regional projects.

The GEF unites 186 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives.  An independently operating financial organization, the GEF is a financial mechanism for 5 major international environmental conventions: the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The GEF operates two funds to support adaptation to climate change: the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF). In May 2002, the GEF Council approved the arrangements for establishment of these funds. To date, the LDCF and SCCF have provided over $1.5 billion in grant financing for over 300 adaptation projects in vulnerable developing countries. The two funds are also mandated to serve the Paris Agreement. In June 2022, the LDCF/SCCF Council approved the GEF Programming Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change for the LDCF and SCCF and Operational Improvements for July 2022 to June 2026.

The GEF Secretariat is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior External Affairs Officer to manage outreach and visibility related to climate change adaptation, focused on the GEF-managed LDCF and SCCF.
The ideal candidate should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, experience of climate change and development issues, along with political acumen and the capacity to work effectively on sensitive issues with senior management, the LDCF/SCCF Council and across different agencies of the GEF partnership.

S/he will: be responsible for raising the profile and visibility of the LDCF and SCCF. The selected candidate will be responsible for developing and executing a communications strategy for the LDCF and SCCF, using a range of tools to bolster public and stakeholder awareness about both funds and the projects they support in Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and other climate-vulnerable countries.

The candidate selected for this position will report to the GEF Head of Communications and be a part of the Communications and Outreach (GEFCO) unit, with a dual reporting line to the GEF LDCF/SCCF Manager.
Under the joint supervision of the [GEF Head of Communications and LDCF/SCCF Manager], the Senior External Affairs Officer will have the following duties:

1. Contribute to the implementation of the GEF-8 Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation and Operational Improvement for July 2022 to June 2026, including developing and executing a communications strategy for the LDCF and SCCF, aimed at increasing visibility of the funds and the projects they support;

2. Supporting preparations of the LDCF/SCCF Council meetings and other major events such as UNFCCC COPs, including preparation of Council documents, other background materials, engagement plans and relevant communication materials;

3. Drafting and editing press releases related to climate adaptation, LDCF and SCCF funding pledges, and initiatives such as the Challenge Program for Adaptation Innovation;

4. Creating and maintaining a pipeline of editorial content related to LDCF and SCCF funded projects, including stories, videos, photo essays, and social media posts;

5. Developing strong working relationships with communications teams at the UNFCCC, other climate funds, and among LDCF and SCCF partners, including implementing and executing agencies and Challenge Program winners;

6. Producing donor-focused communications products about the LDCF and SCCF, including one-pagers, targeted publications, and other materials highlighting countries’ contributions and climate resilience impact through the funds;

7. Contributing content for the monthly GEF newsletter related to the LDCF and SCCF, and researching the relative merits of launching a separate climate adaptation-focused newsletter for stakeholders;

8. Working with the GEF communications team to explore co-branding and other visibility options for the LDCF and SCCF.

Selection Criteria

• The successful candidate must have an advanced university degree, or equivalent, in communications, journalism/media, public relations, international relations, languages, or a related field, supplemented by a minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience..

• Experience in international journalism with an understanding of the media landscape in developing countries is required.

• Proven writing and editing skills, with a strong command of English and an ability to integrate complex information into clear and cogent messages.  Other languages (e.g., Spanish and/or French) in addition to English are an advantage.

• Strong interpersonal, networking, and social skills, with a team orientation.

• Well-organized, self-motivated, and highly efficient, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in high pressure situations.

• High standards of professional excellence and integrity.

WBG Core Competencies

Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client 
• Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable
• Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the client and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients
• Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.

Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG, and brings differing ideas into the forefront 
•Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect
• Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due. Leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes
• Makes choices and sets priorities with a WBG corporate perspective in mind

Develops innovative solutions with others 
• Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions
• Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG’s values and mission
• Helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context

Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions 
• Ensures systematic sharing of good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners
• Is known across WBG in their subject area and is sought out by WBG colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others
• Seeks mentoring opportunities with more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and mentors junior staff
• Builds networks across the WBG and as part of external professional groups/networks

Recommends and takes decisive action
• Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG’s strategy
• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions
• Commits to a decision and acts once it has been reached

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.