External Affairs Officer

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The External Affairs Officer serves as the focal point for engagement with think tanks and academic institutions within the Stakeholder Engagement team’s Thought Leadership pillar. The role supports development and implementation of the World Bank Group’s thought leadership engagement strategy, strengthens strategic relationships and partnerships, provides stakeholder intelligence, and expands opportunities for policy dialogue and knowledge collaboration. The officer leads relationship management and strategic engagement with priority institutions and works across the team’s other pillars and with World Bank Group counterparts to coordinate outreach, strengthen institutional visibility, and ensure systematic follow-up. The position is based in Washington, DC, and is locally recruited as open-ended staff.

Requirements

Master’s degree in international relations, public policy, economics, political science, communications, development studies, or a related field, with 5 years of relevant professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience working with think tanks, academic institutions, policy networks, or research organizations.
Strong analytical, research, and writing skills.
Experience preparing briefing materials and strategic communications for senior leadership.
Ability to organize and manage briefing events featuring senior leadership.
Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Excellent written and spoken English.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with international development issues and World Bank Group priorities is highly desirable.
Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent contexts is encouraged to be highlighted where applicable.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement engagement strategies and annual workplans for priority think tanks, academic institutions, and policy research networks.
Manage relationships with high-priority institutions and identify opportunities for deeper collaboration around World Bank Group priorities.
Coordinate outreach and engagement activities involving senior World Bank Group leadership and external thought leaders.
Support expansion of CERGE’s global partner network, including increased engagement with institutions in emerging and developing economies.
Maintain and update stakeholder profiles, engagement plans, and institutional intelligence.
Monitor developments across the global think tank and academic landscape and identify trends relevant to World Bank Group priorities.
Produce stakeholder analyses, institutional profiles, briefing materials, and strategic assessments.
Conduct due diligence and background research on prospective partners.
Provide intelligence and analysis to support leadership decision-making and external engagement.
Identify reputational risks and engagement opportunities emerging from thought leadership communities.
Design and coordinate policy dialogues, roundtables, seminars, and other engagement opportunities with think tanks and academic institutions.
Support CERGE engagement around major institutional moments, including Spring Meetings, Annual Meetings, and other priority convenings.
Develop concepts and engagement models that strengthen policy dialogue between World Bank Group experts and external thought leaders.
Facilitate connections between external researchers and relevant World Bank Group teams.
Promote dissemination and exchange of research, evidence, and analytical insights relevant to World Bank Group priorities.
Support implementation of CERGE’s coordination role for thought leadership engagement across the World Bank Group.
Develop and maintain relationship management tools, stakeholder databases, and knowledge repositories.
Coordinate with regional, Global Practice, IFC, and MIGA counterparts to ensure visibility on external engagement activities.
Contribute to institutional reporting and tracking related to think tank and academic engagement.