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
External and Corporate Relations Vice-Presidency (ECR)
The mission of External and Corporate Relations (ECR) is to help deliver financial and political support for the World Bank Group, strengthen the Bank Group’s role as a global thought leader in development by enhancing and safeguarding its reputation, and supporting operational teams to achieve country outcomes. ECR manages corporate communications and global engagement with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, foundations, private sector, donor countries, and international organizations, as well as employee engagement. ECR also manages strategic communications for the World Bank’s Regions and Global Practices and leads the management of reputation risk.
ECR is seeking an experienced and dynamic professional for the position of Special Representative, Japan. The Special Representative leads the institutional relationships with the Japanese government and other relevant stakeholders and oversees the World Bank’s Tokyo office. S/he is responsible for overseeing effective implementation of high-quality Japanese activity programs, aimed at strengthening the Bank’s relationship with Japan. S/he directs the work of the team in building and maintaining strategic relationships with key counterparts in government and other important constituencies (private sector, parliamentarians, civil society organizations and academia) at the country level. The Special Representative plays a key role in ensuring an integrated, whole-of-Bank-Group approach to our relations with Japanese stakeholders and s/he works closely with the Director of the IFC Office in Tokyo. The Special Representative, Japan, acts as the focal point to ensure that the Tokyo Office strategy and operations are closely aligned and integrated with the overall ECR strategy and work program.
Responsibilities
The Special Representative is responsible for performing activities in the following areas:
Business Management (incl. strategy, operations and quality control):
• Establish and maintain close relations with and access to key leaders in both governmental and non-governmental constituencies, implementing a proactive Japanese outreach strategy and ensuring that the Bank’s contacts and relationships extend broadly throughout the Japanese government and development community. Specific outreach to parliamentarians and the private sector is a priority.
• Manage and implement government relations, communications, and outreach strategies of the Tokyo Office, coordinating the production of high-quality intelligence reports, briefings, and strategic advice to the Vice President, the President, and Bank senior management.
• Provide strategic guidance to Tokyo-based operational units, including DRM Hub and TDLC, in their interaction with and outreach to Japanese stakeholders.
• Promote the WBG as a viable employment option by raising awareness and interest especially among youth.
• Enhance the understanding of the general public towards WBG objectives, leading to further support to WBG activities and Japanese contributions to them.
• Coordinate and support the communication activities in Japan of ECR staff (ECRJP), Treasury staff, East Asia Pacific staff, and IFC and MIGA staff to ensure delivery and implementation of a coherent, well- coordinated, and high-quality external affairs and relationship-management strategy in Japan.
• Ensure close coordination and alignment with the activities of the Tokyo Development Learning Center, IFC, and MIGA offices in Japan, and an ability to build working partnerships with other IFIs and UN agencies with branches in Tokyo.
• Ensure full coordination and effective collaboration between ECRJP and management in ECR HQ, as well as the Regions and Networks.
• In the context of the IDA discussions and negotiations, engage Japanese counterparts to understand their priorities and positions.
• Ensure close collaboration with ECR’s central global strategy, communications, and media teams and the Bank’s regional communications and ECR teams providing a Japanese and Asian base for global communications and campaign strategies.
People/Talent Management:
• Leads and motivates the teams with a focus on client orientation, development outcomes, and problem solving, and takes responsibility for achieving and communicating these outcomes with staff.
• Manages the functioning of department, models integrity and inclusion, offers mentoring and development opportunities for staff.
• Leads the administrative oversight of the Tokyo Office, including staff recruitment, budget management, accounting, monitoring, and overseeing the resolution of administrative and human resource issues.
Resource Management:
• Develop with ECRJP colleagues the annual work program of the Tokyo Office consistent with the overall ECR strategy.
• Ensures that deployments of Bank’s resources are consistent with Resource Management rules, policies, and internal controls.
• Sets priorities and allocates budget within the department, in line with institutional priorities and a view to maximizing the impact and value-added for the Bank’s activities.
Knowledge Management:
• Embraces good corporate citizenship, including contributing to the development, implementation and communication of corporate policies, strategies and priorities (including ongoing reforms in investment lending, knowledge management, HR policies and the “Global Bank”).
• Takes accountability for gathering, managing and disseminating best practices and knowledge across the institution.
Serves as a member of the ECR Management Team.
Selection Criteria
• Diplomatic and political skills. Excellent diplomatic skills, highly developed political skills and judgment, and sensitivity to the World Bank’s internal and external relationships. Strong track record of managing high-level relationships with a variety of stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to serve as an authoritative spokesperson to the public and in high-level external policy discussions. A superior professional reputation.
• Management skills. Demonstrated strong track record of managing, leading, and coaching individual staff and teams, and in creating an enabling work environment. Proven ability to achieve results and implement strategies in an action-oriented manner. Demonstrated strong administrative capabilities. Solid track record of promoting decision-making by building consensus among involved players.
• Development issues. In-depth knowledge of development and of the global issues currently facing multilateral development institutions, and broad understanding of the changing development landscape and environment, particularly with respect to Japanese constituencies.
• Analytical skills. Strong ability to analyze and synthesize complex issues and to communicate to others clearly and concisely.
• Entrepreneurial skills. Strong ability to quickly learn, adapt, and be innovative as new challenges arise. Demonstrated high initiative and drive for results. High degree of energy, creativity, and flexibility.
• Communication skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills and command of English and Japanese, and ability to present and defend difficult positions to senior officials, both in and outside the Bank. Strong skills in making public presentations and in communicating complex issues in simple terms.
• Inclusion and Cultural Awareness. Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment. excellent knowledge of Japanese affairs, the Japanese culture, and the political and economic context.
• Educational background. An advanced degree and 15 years of relevant experience (or equivalent professional experience) in political science, international relations, development policy, strategic communications, or other related fields.
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.