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.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The Global Industry and Cross-Cutting Themes Communications Unit is searching for a Senior Communications Officer to focus on IFC’s engagement and investments in low-income countries, fragile and conflict-affected situations (FCS), and forced displacement.

Their main responsibility is to provide strategic oversight on all communications work related to IFC’s global work in FCS, forced displacement, and low-income countries eligible for concessional financing from the International Development Association (IDA). Crucially, this includes leading communications for IFC’s implementation of the IDA Private Sector Window, a blended finance facility focused on catalyzing private sector investment in IDA-only countries.

They will collaborate with Corporate, Regional, and Industry Communications leads, teams and management as well as with operational/business and partnerships/multilateral engagement teams in designing, executing, and monitoring/evaluating the impact of complex communications strategies, activities, and campaigns about IFC’s work and use of blended finance in fragile markets and work in the forced displacement context through IFC’s joint initiative with UNHCR and the Prospects Facility.

This position requires close coordination and engagement with World Bank, MIGA, and UNHCR communication teams.

Specific responsibilities include, among others, the following:

•  Work closely with the FCS/IDA Coordination Unit in Corporate Strategy, leadership, operational staff, and partners to develop communication approaches and products related to IFC’s engagement in IDA-FCS/Forced Displacement.
•  Work closely with and support teams in the Blended Finance and Partnerships department on implementation of the IDA PSW, Prospects, and any other facilities established in the future to address IDA/FCS/Forced Displacement.
•  Work with the communications teams supporting IDA-FCS countries in identifying and communicating high-impact projects/stories and engagements. Where relevant, ensure visibility of IDA PSW and other blended finance facilities.
•  Build and manage effective professional relationships with communications colleagues across the World Bank Group and with partner organizations, including UNHCR. Position IFC’s management and project teams as spokespersons and thought leaders.
•  Support the Regional Leads in proactively managing internal and external strategic communications in IDA-FCS countries in partnership with operational teams, and ensure that high quality, strategic communication plans are consistently implemented across this group of countries in all regions. This includes ensuring clarity, accuracy, relevance, and engaging writing of high-quality standards and consistency in all materials that the regional communications teams produce.
•  Guide communications in contributing to global and WBG strategies (including WBG Fragility, Conflict and Violence Strategy 2020-25) and events (e.g., WBG Fragility Forum, IDA Replenishments) relating to IDA-FCS issues in partnership with think tanks, the World Bank and MIGA, and other international finance institutions, in close collaboration with relevant departments across IFC and the World Bank Group.
•  Guide the communications teams in IDA-FCS countries in developing creative and engaging feature and human-interest stories, blogs, profiles, and other materials for internal and external publications and supporting the Creative Productions team on their work in IDA-FCS countries.
•  Oversee the proactive monitoring and mitigation of reputational risks and engagement with civil society organizations (CSOs) in the respective areas, including implementation of the IDA Private Sector Window. This involves providing support on reputational risk management, crisis management, and proactive CSO engagement in close partnership with IFC’s Risk and Public Affairs team.
•  The candidate should be available to travel in difficult markets where security risks may prevail.

The Senior Communications Officer will be based in Washington, DC.

Selection Criteria

•  Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Business/Finance with 12 or more years’ experience in corporate communications, international relations, public affairs, political science, or other related field.
•  Strong knowledge and experience of private sector development and project finance. Knowledge of the World Bank Group Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV) Strategy and blended concessional finance a plus.
•  State-of-the art knowledge in the field of strategic communications, and ability to address a range of strategic and tactical issues related to a business group, including taking the lead on highly visible and sensitive assignments.
•  Highly developed verbal and written communications skills, ability to convey complex messages succinctly and diplomatically.
•  Demonstrates in-depth understanding of target audience, highly effective writing style, and expertise in high-impact messaging to strategic audiences.
•  Shows sensitivity when delivering politically sensitive communication to large group/public forums and/or strategic parties, especially in the context of fragile markets, and coaches team members and management on such, including in dealing with the media.
•  Anticipates problems and opportunities; with potential problems, surfaces contributing factors and resolves them before there is negative impact.
•  Can proactively advise management on the implications and risks for IFC operations when choosing between certain communication strategies. Creates highly effective strategic vision and has an uncanny sense of how situations can unfold in highly volatile and uncertain market conditions.
•  Proven ability to lead teams to produce high-quality, creative written and visual communications materials.
•  Proven ability to operate effectively in a multicultural environment.
•  Understanding of multilateral development banks, including the World Bank Group, its policies and operations a plus, as well as basic understanding of current development topics and issues.

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.