Senior Communications Officer

World Bank Group•Washington, DC

14h

About The Position

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org. Climate change will greatly affect the poorest people in the world, who are often hardest hit by weather catastrophes, desertification, and rising sea levels and least able to respond. In some parts of the world, climate change has already contributed to worsening food security, reduced the predictable availability of fresh water, and exacerbated the spread of disease and other threats to human health. Helping the most vulnerable countries and communities adapt to increasing challenges of climate change is an imperative for the international community, requiring significant resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Adaptation Fund is an innovative financing mechanism set up by the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with the purpose of financing concrete climate change adaptation projects and programs in developing country Parties. At the request of the COP, the GEF is providing secretariat services to the Adaptation Fund Board (the Board) on an interim basis, through a dedicated team. Since becoming fully operational in 2010, the Board has approved 160 projects and programs worth more than USD 1 billion in over 100 countries. Launched under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC, the Adaptation Fund has been formally serving Paris Agreement since 2019. The Adaptation Fund is implementing its second medium term strategy (2023-2027) that rests on the three pillars of adaptation action, innovation and learning/knowledge management. The Adaptation Fund supports country-driven projects and programs, innovation, and global learning for effective adaptation. All of the Adaptation Fund’s activities are designed to build national and local adaptive capacities while reaching and engaging the most vulnerable groups, and to integrate gender consideration to provide equal opportunity to access and benefit from the Fund’s resources. They are also aimed at enhancing synergies with other sources of climate finance, while creating models that can be replicated or scaled up. The Secretariat is recruiting a Senior Communications Officer who will be the Team Lead for the Adaptation Fund Secretariat’s Communications team and lead the communications and advocacy function of the Secretariat. The Senior Communications Officer reports to the Head of the Fund and will be a member of the Fund’s management team.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher in communications, public relations, journalism, or other relevant field with at least eight years of relevant experience.
Recognized as a credible partner providing in-depth technical expertise and strategic value through communications.
Extensive experience and success working in multicultural environments, speaking and writing clearly and effectively, adapting language, tone, style and message to diverse, multicultural audiences, internally and externally.
Skilled at communicating complex information in succinct and digestible ways and coaching others to develop this skill.
Extensive experience in planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring creative digital communications strategies, including expertise in crafting effective outreach to external audiences, leveraging the strengths and communications assets of the Adaptation Fund and partner organizations, as well as broad base of knowledge about trends in digital world. Expertise in managing and maintaining the organization's social media channels.
Adept at managing communications with government and public institutions, CSOs, parliamentarians, think tanks, international institutions, business groups, and other audiences critical to the Adaptation Fund’s work, including strong political awareness, ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences, and to guide more junior staff in doing so.
Deep knowledge of communications and external relations strategy, tactics, tools, and products, and extensive experience using them to achieve strategic objectives. Deep knowledge of communications and external relations strategy, tactics, tools, and products, and extensive experience in deploying the best vehicles to fit various scenarios.
Extensive experience overseeing production of complex communications products of all types, including video production, including expertise in writing and editing complex communications products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and logical, persuasive presentation and sufficient experience with graphic design principles and developing trends for digital media purposes and creation of infographics and presentations (e.g. Photoshop, Canva, PSD, AI or similar) to guide team members.
Demonstrated expertise building and maintaining relationships with media outlets and journalists, including strategic ability to map out a media campaign including story directions, interview targets, and media strategy; expertise in handling media during crisis situations, managing reputational risks, and ensuring clear and consistent messaging. Able to provide useful guidance to team on monitoring media coverage, analyzing media trends, and providing timely reports to internal stakeholders to inform communications strategies.
Understanding of, and sensitivity to, various stakeholder perspectives, interests and needs and their intersection with the Adaptation Fund’s goals and interests. Extensive experience forging and managing relationships and developing partnerships that expand the reach and impact of the organization.
Expert ability to think and respond quickly and extemporaneously with tact and diplomacy, and to present a credible and convincing presence. Ability to represent the Adaptation Fund and the full range of its activities and products to external stakeholders. Thorough understanding of the political landscape within which the Adaptation Fund and its partner countries operate.
Ability and the necessary organizational skills to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, balance competing demands and achieve agreed-upon results.
Experience of successfully leading and supervising and motivating direct reports and of building efficient teams.
Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and to otherwise cultivate effective, productive client relationships/partnerships.
Capacity to multi-task and work under pressure—working on a variety of tasks simultaneously, independently adjusting to priorities and achieving results with agreed objectives and deadlines.
Excellent oral and written communications and editing skills; strong command of English
Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients, stakeholders and colleagues.
Ability and willingness to travel internationally, including to visit projects in the field in developing countries, and to attend international meetings.

Nice To Haves

knowledge of French would be an advantage.

Responsibilities

Communication Strategy and Execution
Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
Team Lead

Benefits

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.

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