External Affairs Officer

External Affairs OfficerJob #: req30836Organization: World BankSector: CommunicationsGrade: GFTerm Duration: 3 years 0 monthsRecruitment Type: Local RecruitmentLocation: Sydney, AustraliaRequired Language(s): EnglishPreferred Language(s):Closing Date: 1/17/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTCDescriptionDo you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. 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, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. 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.External and Corporate Relations Vice-Presidency (ECR)The mission of External and Corporate Relations (ECR) is to help deliver financial and political support for the World Bank Group, strengthen the Bank Group's role as a global thought leader in development by enhancing and safeguarding its reputation, and supporting operational teams to achieve country outcomes. ECR manages corporate communications and global engagement with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, foundations, the private sector, donor countries, and international organizations, as well as employee engagement. ECR also manages strategic communications for the World Bank's Regions and Global Practices and leads the management of reputation risk.The East Asia Pacific External and Corporate Relations Unit (ECREA)The East Asia and Pacific region remains one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the world. Over the past two decades, most countries in the region have achieved strong and stable growth that has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and transformed economies across the region. Many East Asia and Pacific countries have risen to upper-middle income status and have set the goal of reaching high-income status in the near to medium term. The East Asia and Pacific region includes 23 countries and six Country Management Units.The Pacific Islands and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are part of the country management unit (CMU) managed by the Country Director in Sydney office. The World Bank's Pacific Island member countries have a combined population of about 2.3 million people, spread over an area equivalent to 15% of the earth's surface. The Pacific Island countries have substantial natural resources and extraordinary linguistic and cultural diversity. However, they are physically remote, have small populations spread across many islands, and are some of the world's most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters. PNG has a remarkable diversity of geographic and natural resources and has a population of over 11.78 million people is young and growing with 85% of Papua New Guineans living in rural areas. The country's rich culture is complex and deeply rooted in tribal and ethnic identity and relationships to the land. These contribute both to the country's unique challenges as well as its considerable resilience.The ECREA team:Provides strategic support to operations by embedding communications into the operations project cycle and reform processes and tells the story of the impact and results of World Bank support to its clients.Proactively works to strengthen strategic relationships and alliances with key influencers in civil society, media, academia, think tanks, Parliament, faith-based groups, labor groups, etc., to build political support for the WBG's work in the region and in-country.Provides guidance, analysis, and advice as the trusted advisor to regional and country management teams to help position the Bank as the partner of choice, capitalize on opportunities to tell the development story, and collaborate with operational teams to manage risks.ResponsibilitiesThe External Affairs Officer works under the overall supervision of the External Affairs Manager as a member of a small Papua New Guinea and Pacific communications team and a larger, decentralized regional communications team. The position will be based in Sydney. His/her specific duties and accountabilities include but may not be limited to the following:The specific duties and accountabilities include:Development and implementation of communication strategies:Responsible for planning, designing, and implementing strategies to promote effective communications with external and internal audiences on World Bank-financed operations, research products, and campaigns. Help determine the most effective content and communications interventions to address challenges.Proactive positioning of World Bank support to PNG and Pacific:Develop content for impact stories. Monitor perceptions, track shifts in opinion, and respond to inquiries. Package facts about project goals, milestones, and impact. Provide political economy analysis including regular monitoring of the media.Production of communication products:Responsible for planning and delivering a range of compelling products that tell the story of the World Bank's operational goals, results, and knowledge in PNG and Pacific – ranging from press releases and Op-Eds to web features, documentary videos, brochures, Q&As, briefing notes, speeches, and updates to the country website and related World Bank social media channels. Produce and edit, as needed, Papua New Guinea and Pacific team products, including press releases, op-eds, talking points, blogs, videos/multimedia products, and speeches, among others, and ensure that products are prepared and issued on time and to a high standard of quality. This involves assisting Papua New Guinea and Pacific team members in country offices (and helping to build their capacity as needed).Support to operations:Provide advice and support to operational teams, as well as input throughout project cycles, including comments during project preparation.Partnership and stakeholder relations:Identify stakeholders, opinion leaders, and influential organizations in EAP and guide a strategy of engagement with these stakeholders, which might range from media and parliamentarians to faith-based organizations to business associations. Responsible for convening stakeholder groups for consultations and structured dialogues around projects, knowledge outputs, and country development priorities, as well as regular press briefings and other ad hoc engagements.Selection CriteriaA Master's degree with 5 years of relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant discipline (communication, journalism, international affairs, or other related fields).Ability to demonstrate good judgment and prioritize multiple demands, often arising on short notice.Self-starter, quick learner, able to look around the corner; problem-solving and results mindset; track record of delivering high-quality work.Excellent communication skills, including the ability to speak persuasively and present ideas clearly and concisely; ability to write quickly/concisely on a variety of topics in a well-structured manner.Strong analytical and integrative skills; able to synthesize complex issues and substantial documentation into effective oral and written briefs.Understanding of the Bank Group's internal and external operating environment. Sound communications/stakeholder engagement experience, and solid understanding of Bank operations.High degree of ethics, discretion, tact, and sensitivity in dealing with others and in handling confidential and sensitive information.Demonstrated ability to work flexibly on a range of assignments, adjust to changes in schedule and priorities, juggle concurrent tasks, and work with very tight deadlines.Strong proclivity for teamwork including an open and collegial work style and a high energy level.Strong diplomacy skills and sensitivity to the WBG's internal and external relationships. Ability to exercise judgment, tact, and discretion, including in dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.Ability to analyze and synthesize complex issues and to communicate to others in a clear and concise way.Strong organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple tasks, prioritize deliverables and work under pressure and tight deadlines with accuracy and professionalism.Ability to work both independently and in diverse teams.World Bank Group Core CompetenciesThe 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.
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