Job Description
Job #:
req13866
Organization:
IFC
Sector:
Communications
Grade:
GF
Term Duration:
3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment
Location:
Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s):
English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date:
12/6/2021 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
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 2021, IFC committed a record $31.5 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 the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
IFC’s Corporate Support Vice Presidency is responsible for communications, outreach, and partnerships, alongside other core functions including HR, budget, and IT. The Vice Presidency supports the implementation of IFC’s business strategy for effective delivery of our programs to clients and partners, in close collaboration with relevant counterparts across the World Bank Group.
The Communications and Outreach Department is responsible for managing IFC’s communications and outreach strategy with a focus on the Corporation’s business priorities, including cross cutting themes. The department has five integrated units that facilitate strategic engagement with both internal and external stakeholders. The units include: Corporate Communications, Regional Communications, Global Industry and Thematic Communications, Creative Productions, and Public Affairs & Risk management.
IFC’s global business departments – Disruptive Technologies and Funds (CDF), Transaction Advisory Department (CTA), Financial Institutions Group (FIG), Infrastructure (INR), and Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services (MAS) – are responsible for delivering on IFC’s strategy via investment, advisory services, and working upstream to develop new markets and opportunities. In addition, the global business departments are complemented by the vice presidency units of Economics and Private Sector Development, Treasury and Syndications, Cross-cutting Solutions, and the IFC Asset Management Company. All these work together to implement programs that integrate cross-cutting themes, such as climate, gender, Upstream engagement, fragility, and sustainability.
The Global Industry and Thematic Communications unit delivers global thematic/sectoral communications and outreach by 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 showcase IFC’s impact. The team works closely with IFC’s 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.
The Communications Officer will be part of the communications team working on Global Infrastructure outreach and communications needs. He/she will report and work closely with the Senior Communications Lead for Global Infrastructure and work across the WBG communications family to provide strategic, proactive communications and engagement plans that showcase business results and raise IFC’s profile.
Role and Responsibilities
Work closely with the Senior Communications Lead and other corporate, regional and industry communications colleagues and consultants to:
- Plan, design, prepare, execute, and monitor communications strategies, activities, and campaigns about IFC’s Global Infrastructure work in energy, transport, water and waste, cities, mining, digital infrastructure and sustainable infra advisory.
- Contribute to reputational risk mitigation strategies related to infrastructure sectors.
- Determine the types of information and communications activities that are best suited to address issues or needs. Accordingly, write and/or oversee the preparation, production, and dissemination of both routine and complex outreach products (e.g., backgrounders, media packets, news releases, multi-media and features, radio/TV/podcast interviews, presentations, brochures, Q&As, websites, fact sheets, social media, briefing notes, etc.) that promote the strategic and timely flow of information and major issues about IFC, Global Infrastructure sectors and projects, reports or other output.
- Initiate, build, and sustain effective professional relationships with key internal and external contacts (including media, infrastructure partners, online media hubs, etc.).
- Identify opportunities for and forge strategic partnerships both inside and outside IFC to improve dialogue and outreach and to strengthen IFC’s Global Infrastructure reach.
- Monitor and analyze current events, including media monitoring. Advise sector teams, and technical teams on trends, news developments, or changing/unexpected circumstances that may impact IFC and its work and help to determine appropriate strategic responses.
- Proactive monitoring of investment trends, social, economic, and political developments to inform media plans and strategic campaigns.
- Produce and edit digital products as needed, including social media packages, press releases, op-eds, talking points, blogs, videos/multimedia products among others and ensure that products are prepared and issued on time and to a high standard of quality.
- Oversee planning, coordination, scheduling, and logistics, often across multiple teams, for press releases, events, blogs, media appearances and interviews, and other communications-related activities, with the support of the corporate communications team.
- Engage with the content and campaigns team to drive Global Infrastructure focused messaging and campaigns depending on trends in the industry.
Selection Criteria
- Master’s degree and minimum of six years of relevant professional experience, in a relevant discipline (communications, journalism, economics, finance, business administration, development studies, or international relations)
- 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
- Strong writing, editing, and speaking skills in English and ability to convey complex ideas in a clear, direct, and engaging style for a variety of platforms including digital media. Fluency in other languages a plus
- Keen understanding of infrastructure opportunities and challenges
- Capacity to work simultaneously on a variety of issues and tasks independently, adjusting to priorities and achieving results with agreed objectives and deadlines
- Demonstrate ability to function as a team player in a multicultural team, within and across teams, and deliver on complex and sometimes parallel tasks on very tight deadlines
- Proven ability to capture trends, case studies and innovations in communications products in a compelling, easy-to-understand manner
- Strong understanding of online metrics/ analysis
- Proven ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources and an ability to learn, adapt, and to be innovative as new communications challenges arise
- Self-motivated, creative, excellent organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple tasks
- Excellent interpersonal skills with a willingness to work in a team environment
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.