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 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 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

IFC is recruiting for a Senior Communications Officer to lead the external and internal communications program for the Gender and Economic Inclusion Department (GEID), in deep collaboration with the department’s Director and Managers. The Senior Communications Officer works closely with corporate, industry, and regional colleagues to deliver effective and compelling communications on gender and economic inclusion.

Gender is a cross-cutting corporate priority for IFC, as highlighted in the World Bank Group’s Gender Strategy (FY16-23), the upcoming new Gender Strategy Update (FY24-30), and IFC’s 2030 Vision for Gender and Inclusion. IFC is deeply committed to advancing gender equality and inclusion as laid out in IFC’s 3.0 strategy that also underpin the Capital Increase. As part of its mandate, IFC’s Cross-Cutting Vice Presidency Unit includes a dedicated team, the Gender and Economic Inclusion Department, that works with IFC’s investment and advisory teams to support private and public sector clients in providing all genders and underserved communities with equal economic opportunities as leaders, employees, entrepreneurs, consumers, and community members. In addition, GEID develops research on the business case and solutions for reducing gender and inclusion gaps; leads strategy development and implementation for the organization, provides client advice, supports mobilization through impact investing and sustainable financing; and forges public and private sector partnerships.

The Senior Communications Officer for Gender and Economic Inclusion will be responsible for leading external and internal communications, including media and launch events for IFC reports and publications; communicating IFC’s development impact to external audiences; supporting events; creating and placing articles and op-eds in a variety of business and economics journals, blogs, and newspapers; supporting internal communications to staff; overseeing social media; and coordinating with the IFC and World Bank Group communications network. The position will report to a Manager in the Communications department, with a dotted line into a Manager in the GEID, and be based in IFC headquarters in Washington DC.

Role and Responsibilities:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and seasoned professional to lead the planning, development, and implementation of communications and outreach strategies for making the business/economic case for gender equality and economic inclusion. Specific work areas include the following:

Strategy: 
•  Designs and implements comprehensive external and internal communications strategies and plans, including objectives, targets, and timelines.
•  Develops and implements a social media strategy in collaboration with the Head of Digital Communications.
•  Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies and plans, making recommendations for continuous improvement.

Products: 
•  Conceptualizes and supervises the launch and dissemination of IFC reports on gender and economic inclusion (e.g., media packets, news releases, talking points and Q&As, online, and social media content, speeches, etc.), and supports thought leadership activities for the department.
•  Oversees preparation of articles and op-eds related to IFC reports, as well as of high-profile speeches and presentations, based on content from subject-matter experts to align with overall corporate messages.
•  Writes and/or oversees preparation of internal and external success stories/impact stories demonstrating the private sector’s role in advancing gender and economic inclusion.

Advisory role:
•  Serves as trusted advisor to the Gender and Economic Inclusion Director, Managers, staff, and consultants on communications matters, including preparation for media engagements.
•  Supports review of key strategic documents and reports at early stages to advise on appropriate communications and visibility proactively.

Networks:
•  Initiates effective professional relationships with key stakeholders, including business media and other constituencies such as civil society, influencers, WBG colleagues, etc.,) to raise IFC’s visibility. This will include working with country-based Communications colleagues on local media around the world.
•  Contributes to developing and maintaining IFC relationships with leading global organizations, including international development banks and think tanks, philanthropies, and influencers.

Events: 
•  Supports planning, coordination, and messaging, often across multiple teams, for press briefings, key global events such as the Annual and Spring Meetings, campaigns such as International Women’s Day, conferences, public or broadcast appearances, and other communications-related activities involving external and/or internal audiences.

Internal Engagement: 
•  Supports internal staff communications to facilitate information flows throughout IFC about work on gender and economic inclusion.

Risk management: 
•  Proactively supports risk identification and mitigation activities in the context of corporate and operational communications interventions, advises GEID Director, Managers, and team members.
•  Liaises with IFC CSO engagement team in the VPU to provide relevant, timely, and coordinated guidance to GEID.

Team Oversight: 
•  Leads and directs a team of consultants that support GEID Communications and is responsible for assigning work, monitoring work quality, reviewing output and ensuring that staff and consultants are effectively trained to successfully delivery communications on gender and inclusion.

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree in communications, Journalism, Economics, Political Science, International Development, Gender Studies, Sociology, Business/Finance, Law, or related field.
•  12 or more years of experience in journalism, corporate communications, or international relations/public affairs.
•  Excellent writing skills on topics related to international development and gender issues, with an ability to distill complex information for a general business audience.
•  Understanding of current development and international economics topics and issues, such as global trends on gender-related topics and private sector development.
•  High energy, drive, and ability to work with minimal oversight in delivering the work program.
•  Demonstrated ability to develop compelling content based on development trends, case studies and innovations in communications products in a compelling, easy-to-understand manner.
•  Proven ability to develop excellent media relationships and partnerships with a range of other organizations, including academia, think tanks, and other international organizations promotion gender and economic inclusion.
•  Self-motivated, creative, strategic, excellent organizational and project management skills, proven ability to perform multiple communications tasks, often under tight deadlines.
•  Excellent interpersonal skills with a willingness to both lead and work in a team environment, including building across-the-board consensus to deliver on certain projects.
•  Ability to mentor, supervise, and coach junior staff.
•  Experience cultivating an external network of freelancers/contractors to support the Communications team 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.