Communications Officer, Central America and The Caribbean

Communications & PR

Overview

Develop and implement communications strategy for IFC in Central America and the Caribbean.

You have:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Business/Finance with 5 or more years’ experience in corporate communications, international relations, public affairs, political science, or other related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Fluency in English and Spanish.
• Experience with the media, the private sector (preferably in the field of finance), and other international organizations.
• Highly developed verbal and written communications skills, ability to convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically.
• Demonstrated in-depth understanding of communications tactics, target audience, and experience in high-impact messaging to wider and more strategic audiences.
• Experience producing marketing materials and preparing print-ready products.
• Advanced multimedia skills (video, web, social media, photo-editing). Knowledge of design tools (Adobe InDesign, Photo Shop), website design, content management, and media and social media monitoring tools (Hootsuite, Talkwalker, Cision, Signal, etc.) is a distinct plus.
• Ability to operate under tight deadlines with accuracy and professionalism. Attention to detail is critical.
• Self-motivated, with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with both internal and external constituencies and clients at all levels.
• Understanding of multilateral development institutions, including the World Bank Group, its policies and operations; as well as current development topics and issues.
• The candidate should be available to travel across Latin America and The Caribbean, and other regions as needed.

Contract

This is a World Bank Group grade: GF contract. More about World Bank Group grade: GF contracts.

Communications Officer, Central America and The Caribbean

Description

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Communications Officer for Central America and the Caribbean will work in the Regional Communications Unit in the Communications and Outreach Department.

The Regional Communication Unit’s objectives include supporting IFC’s operations, strengthening IFC’s brand, and communicating its development impact to internal and external clients to galvanize IFC’s position as the premier development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with other communications units in the department, Regional Communication also promotes IFC’s thought leadership and a better understanding of the key role of private sector in development, as well as managing reputational risks around IFC’s investments and policies.

The Communications Officer will contribute to developing and implementing the communications strategy that will position IFC in Central America and The Caribbean as the leading business and development partner of choice for private sector development in emerging markets. The selected candidate will be part of Latin America and The Caribbean’s communications team, and an integral member of the Regional Communications Unit.

The position will report to the Senior Communications Officer for Latin America and The Caribbean, and will be based in Panama City, Panama.

Role and Responsibilities:

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional to work within a dynamic team on the development and implementation of IFC’s communications strategy in Central America and the Caribbean. The successful candidate will have a solid background in communications (preferably with prior experience working in the region), and a background in the private sector or development finance.

Specific work areas include the following:

i) Strategic Internal and External Communications, and Relationship Management • Plan, develop, and implement effective communications and outreach strategies, activities, events, and campaigns that strategically position IFC and support its business development efforts with regional stakeholders. This will involve working closely with IFC’s teams at Headquarters (Washington, DC), in the region, as well as with clients and partners in the private and public sectors. • Communicate high impact projects/stories and thought leadership opportunities in a creative manner through traditional/digital media outreach and multimedia. • Design, execute, and monitor the impact of social media campaigns in coordination with IFC’s social media colleagues in Headquarters and in the regions, as well as with clients and partners. • Oversees planning, coordination, and logistics, often across multiple teams, for IFC-organized events and communications-related activities involving external and/or internal audiences. • Build effective professional relationships with key external and internal constituencies (e.g. the media, regional influencers, civil society, academia, businesses, government agencies, and DFI colleagues, etc.) • Work closely with the Country Managers and operations teams in Central America and The Caribbean, and other countries/members of the Management Team as required by the LAC the Senior Communications Lead.

ii) Risk Management • Monitor reputational risk issues in local and regional media, and in publications from Latin American CSOs and think-tanks • Work closely with the Risk and Public Affairs Unit in the management of reputational risks. This involves crafting holding statements and talking points, working with IFC operational teams involved in developing specific strategies for high profile or potentially sensitive projects, and provide support on reputational risk management, crisis management, and proactive CSO engagement to investment and regional teams on controversial projects. • Prepare updates for senior management on relevant political economy developments in the region • Supervise media monitoring for relevant projects and themes

iii) Corporate Contributions • Participate as an active member in the Regional and the Corporate Communications and Outreach Department’s teams to contribute to the implementation of IFC’s external and internal communications strategies in the regions.

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.

The Communications Officer for Central America and the Caribbean will work in the Regional Communications Unit in the Communications and Outreach Department.

The Regional Communication Unit’s objectives include supporting IFC’s operations, strengthening IFC’s brand, and communicating its development impact to internal and external clients to galvanize IFC’s position as the premier development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. Working with other communications units in the department, Regional Communication also promotes IFC’s thought leadership and a better understanding of the key role of private sector in development, as well as managing reputational risks around IFC’s investments and policies.

The Communications Officer will contribute to developing and implementing the communications strategy that will position IFC in Central America and The Caribbean as the leading business and development partner of choice for private sector development in emerging markets. The selected candidate will be part of Latin America and The Caribbean’s communications team, and an integral member of the Regional Communications Unit.

The position will report to the Senior Communications Officer for Latin America and The Caribbean, and will be based in Panama City, Panama.

Role and Responsibilities:

This is an exciting opportunity for a communications professional to work within a dynamic team on the development and implementation of IFC’s communications strategy in Central America and the Caribbean. The successful candidate will have a solid background in communications (preferably with prior experience working in the region), and a background in the private sector or development finance.

Specific work areas include the following:

i) Strategic Internal and External Communications, and Relationship Management • Plan, develop, and implement effective communications and outreach strategies, activities, events, and campaigns that strategically position IFC and support its business development efforts with regional stakeholders. This will involve working closely with IFC’s teams at Headquarters (Washington, DC), in the region, as well as with clients and partners in the private and public sectors. • Communicate high impact projects/stories and thought leadership opportunities in a creative manner through traditional/digital media outreach and multimedia. • Design, execute, and monitor the impact of social media campaigns in coordination with IFC’s social media colleagues in Headquarters and in the regions, as well as with clients and partners. • Oversees planning, coordination, and logistics, often across multiple teams, for IFC-organized events and communications-related activities involving external and/or internal audiences. • Build effective professional relationships with key external and internal constituencies (e.g. the media, regional influencers, civil society, academia, businesses, government agencies, and DFI colleagues, etc.) • Work closely with the Country Managers and operations teams in Central America and The Caribbean, and other countries/members of the Management Team as required by the LAC the Senior Communications Lead.

ii) Risk Management • Monitor reputational risk issues in local and regional media, and in publications from Latin American CSOs and think-tanks • Work closely with the Risk and Public Affairs Unit in the management of reputational risks. This involves crafting holding statements and talking points, working with IFC operational teams involved in developing specific strategies for high profile or potentially sensitive projects, and provide support on reputational risk management, crisis management, and proactive CSO engagement to investment and regional teams on controversial projects. • Prepare updates for senior management on relevant political economy developments in the region • Supervise media monitoring for relevant projects and themes

iii) Corporate Contributions • Participate as an active member in the Regional and the Corporate Communications and Outreach Department’s teams to contribute to the implementation of IFC’s external and internal communications strategies in the regions.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Business/Finance with 5 or more years’ experience in corporate communications, international relations, public affairs, political science, or other related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. In addition, a degree in Business Administration and/or working experience in investment operations will be valued. • Fluency in English and Spanish. • Experience with the media, the private sector (preferably in the field of finance), and other international organizations. • Highly developed verbal and written communications skills, ability to convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically. • Demonstrated in-depth understanding of communications tactics, target audience, and experience in high-impact messaging to wider and more strategic audiences. • Experience producing marketing materials and preparing print-ready products. • Advanced multimedia skills (video, web, social media, photo-editing). Knowledge of design tools (Adobe InDesign, Photo Shop), website design, content management, and media and social media monitoring tools (Hootsuite, Talkwalker, Cision, Signal, etc.) is a distinct plus. • Ability to operate under tight deadlines with accuracy and professionalism. Attention to detail is critical. • Self-motivated, with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with both internal and external constituencies and clients at all levels. • Understanding of multilateral development institutions, including the World Bank Group, its policies and operations; as well as current development topics and issues. • The candidate should be available to travel across Latin America and The Caribbean, and other regions as needed.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: worldbank.org