Communications Officer - World Bank

The World Bank East Asia and Pacific External Affairs Unit manages strategic communications in the region to increase understanding and support for the Bank’s work, support delivery of the Bank’s priorities and highlight results, build stronger alliances and partnerships with stakeholders, and provide enhanced communication support for country programs, projects and knowledge.

The Communications Officer will be a core member of this communications team, based in the Sydney Office which manages the Pacific Department as well as donor relations outreach in Australia. The Pacific Department currently works in twelve developing countries (the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu), with country offices in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands.

With extensive experience in communications as well as sound knowledge of development issues, the Communications Officer’s main accountability is to plan, develop, and implement effective communications and outreach strategies aligned with regional and global priorities, in order to raise awareness, increase understanding and improve the image of the World Bank in PNG, Timor-Leste and the Pacific Islands and as well as with constituencies in Australia and NZ. The Communications Officer will report to the region’s Communications Manager based in Washington DC, and maintain close contact with members of the regional communications team.

Duties and Accountabilities:

• Responsible for planning, designing, executing, and monitoring and evaluating the impact of communications strategies, activities, and campaigns about the Bank's work in Australia and the Pacific region.

• Leads a small team of communication associates, communication assistants, and communications consultants based in Sydney and country offices in PNG, Timor-Leste and Solomon Islands, and plays an active role with the development of the Pacific islands communications strategies and approaches.

• Determines the types of information and communications activities that are best suited to addressing issues or needs. Accordingly, writes and/or oversees the preparation, production and dissemination of both routine and complex outreach products (e.g., backgrounders, media packets, news releases, articles, radio/TV broadcasts including monthly television show PRAXIS, presentations, brochures, Q&As, websites, social media, speeches, briefing notes, etc.) that promote the strategic and timely flow of information and major issues about the Bank, its policies, projects, and reports to key audiences in Australia and the Pacific region.

• Initiates and sustains effective professional relationships with key internal and/or external constituencies (including the media, civil society, NGOs, academia, businesses, government agencies, parliamentarians, etc.). Identifies opportunities for and forges strategic partnerships both inside and outside the Bank to improve dialogue and outreach and to strengthen the Bank's overall effectiveness and understanding about the Bank.

• Monitors and analyzes current events, including media monitoring. Advises the Country Director and the country teams and clients on trends, news developments, or changing/unexpected circumstances that may impact the Bank and its work, and helps to determine appropriate strategic responses to address them. Advises on risk and manages crises and sensitive information.

• With the support of country office staff, oversees planning, coordination, scheduling and logistics, often across multiple teams, for press briefings, major conferences and seminars, public or broadcast appearances, and other communications-related activities sponsored by the Bank. Assign work and provide guidance to others charged.

• Assists in promoting, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the Bank’s Access to Information policy. Supports staff in ensuring timely submission of various types of documents as required by the Access to Information policy.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Minimum requirement: Master’s degree (Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science, or other related field) and five years of proven practical experience in a full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning, designing and executing effective communications strategies and programs, or a Bachelor degree with 7 years relevant experience. Proven ability to produce high-quality, creative written and visual communications materials.

• Experience and understanding of the Pacific region, media, civil society and stake-holders.

• Experience and understanding of Australian external audiences including: civil society, media, donors and other stake-holders.

• Proven experience in working as both a leader and a member of team.

• Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences.

• Experience in communications technology such as television production is an asset.

• The position is based in Sydney and the candidate will require a relevant work visa.

 The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in race, gender, nationality, culture, and educational background. Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

For further details and to apply, please go to www.worldbank.org/careers and under “current job openings” seek vacancy number 151075. Deadline for applications June 15, 2015.