(Senior) Communications Officer

Contract

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

(Senior) Communications Officer

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. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

Context of the Position

Are you passionate about having an impact on people’s lives and contributing to solving some of the world’s greatest development problems in some of the most challenging countries and regions? Do you believe that the private sector’s contribution is critical in addressing development challenges and that companies and startups across the world can be a unique source of innovation to improve the life of the most vulnerable and develop emerging countries’ economies? Would you be excited by a strategic communications role with a unique perspective on IFC’s business projects and achievements? If yes, you would be the right candidate for this role.

We are looking for a senior communications officer to support IFC’s Vice Presidency, in charge of Global Industries. The right candidate will demonstrate a solid understanding of IFC’s business and industries. He/she will be an excellent writer who enjoys learning about new issues and is experienced in turning technical material into compelling, coherent prose fit for internal and external audiences across a variety of platforms. Typical materials to be produced would include recurring messages and monthly updates; talking points and briefing notes; blogs, op-eds, feature stories; social media content; and speeches and remarks for events. Responsibilities will include also helping develop and manage communications strategies, providing support for major public events, and being able to back up other communications work as needed. The right candidate will be highly organized, detail driven, committed to accuracy, and a good team player able to become a trusted advisor both for the Vice Presidency’s office and the directors of the various departments.

This position is part of IFC’s Global Industry and Thematic Communications unit (CCOIC), which focuses on developing strategic communications outreach plans; producing, publishing, and promoting industry insights and thematic reports; organizing and marketing global events; promoting IFC’s thought leadership; and coordinating across the World Bank Group communications network to highlight IFC’s impact as they pertain to IFC’s thematic and industry work. The selected Senior Communications Officer will work closely with the unit’s manager and the industry and thematic communications leads who will be key contacts to coordinate communications with business teams and help identify relevant content to be featured by the Vice President.

The Global Industry and Thematic Communications unit works closely with IFC’s Corporate Communications unit on the delivering the institutions’ overall communications strategy; Regional Communications unit on outreach related to country and regional level investments and sector trends, and with IFC’s Public Affairs & Risk team to communicate IFC’s development impact.

Role and Responsibilities:

In close coordination with the other communications units

• Develop and execute the communications strategy for the Global Industries Vice Presidency, ensuring a cross-industry approach with the various departments. • Actively support the executive communications of the Vice President for external and internal engagements; when needed, offer training and preparation for engagements. • Coordinate, with teams and consultants involved, the development of best-in-class communications products to promote the work of the departments. • Lead VPU’s storytelling and media activities; specifically, develop and execute a plan for regular op-ed, blogs, LinkedIn posts, and short videos that contribute to positioning IFC’s Global Industries VPU and its achievements. • Contribute to the organization of IFC’s corporate events involving industry content. • Help manage, under supervision of the unit’s manager, common tools developed by the Global Thematic and Industry communications unit to capture the Vice Presidency business strategies and achievements (facts sheets, repository of narratives, etc.) • Develop or adapt content for internal engagement campaigns aimed at raising awareness on IFC’s Global Industries Vice Presidency, its work, and issues. On the internal front, also support hep conveying IFC’s MT strategic direction and aligning teams.

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. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

Context of the Position

Are you passionate about having an impact on people’s lives and contributing to solving some of the world’s greatest development problems in some of the most challenging countries and regions? Do you believe that the private sector’s contribution is critical in addressing development challenges and that companies and startups across the world can be a unique source of innovation to improve the life of the most vulnerable and develop emerging countries’ economies? Would you be excited by a strategic communications role with a unique perspective on IFC’s business projects and achievements? If yes, you would be the right candidate for this role.

We are looking for a senior communications officer to support IFC’s Vice Presidency, in charge of Global Industries. The right candidate will demonstrate a solid understanding of IFC’s business and industries. He/she will be an excellent writer who enjoys learning about new issues and is experienced in turning technical material into compelling, coherent prose fit for internal and external audiences across a variety of platforms. Typical materials to be produced would include recurring messages and monthly updates; talking points and briefing notes; blogs, op-eds, feature stories; social media content; and speeches and remarks for events. Responsibilities will include also helping develop and manage communications strategies, providing support for major public events, and being able to back up other communications work as needed. The right candidate will be highly organized, detail driven, committed to accuracy, and a good team player able to become a trusted advisor both for the Vice Presidency’s office and the directors of the various departments.

This position is part of IFC’s Global Industry and Thematic Communications unit (CCOIC), which focuses on developing strategic communications outreach plans; producing, publishing, and promoting industry insights and thematic reports; organizing and marketing global events; promoting IFC’s thought leadership; and coordinating across the World Bank Group communications network to highlight IFC’s impact as they pertain to IFC’s thematic and industry work. The selected Senior Communications Officer will work closely with the unit’s manager and the industry and thematic communications leads who will be key contacts to coordinate communications with business teams and help identify relevant content to be featured by the Vice President.

The Global Industry and Thematic Communications unit works closely with IFC’s Corporate Communications unit on the delivering the institutions’ overall communications strategy; Regional Communications unit on outreach related to country and regional level investments and sector trends, and with IFC’s Public Affairs & Risk team to communicate IFC’s development impact.

Role and Responsibilities:

In close coordination with the other communications units

• Develop and execute the communications strategy for the Global Industries Vice Presidency, ensuring a cross-industry approach with the various departments. • Actively support the executive communications of the Vice President for external and internal engagements; when needed, offer training and preparation for engagements. • Coordinate, with teams and consultants involved, the development of best-in-class communications products to promote the work of the departments. • Lead VPU’s storytelling and media activities; specifically, develop and execute a plan for regular op-ed, blogs, LinkedIn posts, and short videos that contribute to positioning IFC’s Global Industries VPU and its achievements. • Contribute to the organization of IFC’s corporate events involving industry content. • Help manage, under supervision of the unit’s manager, common tools developed by the Global Thematic and Industry communications unit to capture the Vice Presidency business strategies and achievements (facts sheets, repository of narratives, etc.) • Develop or adapt content for internal engagement campaigns aimed at raising awareness on IFC’s Global Industries Vice Presidency, its work, and issues. On the internal front, also support hep conveying IFC’s MT strategic direction and aligning teams.

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree and minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience, in a relevant discipline (communications, journalism, economics, finance, business administration, development studies, or international relations). • Superb writer in English who is able to identify critical topics, trends, and issues and turn them into clear and concise op-eds, blogs, short features, and social media posts that appeal to a variety of audiences. • Experience in communicating complex technical concepts in a clear, compelling, and concise manner and developing messages that are accessible to a wide range of audiences. • Experience writing briefing notes for events, talking points, media packets, news releases, website text, fact sheets, social media, and other products. • Communications experience in at least one of the industries or thematic areas covered by the portfolio highly recommended (financial institutions, infrastructure, energy, mining, climate business, manufacturing, health and education, agribusiness, and food industry). • Excellent organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple tasks independently, adjust to priorities and achieving results and meet agreed objectives and within sometimes very tight deadlines across various time zones. • Able to think strategically and rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources and able to learn, adapt, and to be innovative as new communications challenges arise. • Self-motivated, creative, and ability to think out of the box and proactively propose new ideas and approaches. • Excellent interpersonal skills with a willingness to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team environment. • Experience in sensitive communications and reputation management is a plus. • Experience in a senior communications role in a private sector company with a regional or global reach is a plus.

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.