Senior Communications Officer, Washington (GG) World Bank Closing date: Tuesday, 17 March 2015 (added 25 February)

Closing date: Tuesday, 17 March 2015

Background / General description

Innovation and partnership bond the five institutions of the World Bank Group (WBG): the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), which together form the World Bank; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). The Independent Evaluation Group's (IEG) mission is to improve WBG development results through excellence in evaluation. Within its mandate, and in line with the new WBG Strategy, IEG is focusing on deepening evidence about the results of WBG program and activities - and their effectiveness for accelerating growth, inclusiveness, and sustainability - to contribute to the achievement of the WBG's interim target of 9 percent poverty and progress on shared prosperity by 2020; and on generating evidence on the early implementation experience of the WBG Strategy to enable mid-course corrections and to promote a stronger internal culture for results, accountability, and learning.

Evaluation is useful only when it generates critical evidence to inform and improve decision making. The mandate of the Communications and Learning Services Department (IEGCS) is to strengthen IEG's impact by increasing the accessibility and use of IEG's evaluation knowledge, and by promoting effective evaluation partnerships and capacity development, both internally and externally. IEGCS staff work along three streams: (1) Communications, (2) Knowledge, Learning, and IT platforms; and (3) Evaluation Capacity Development. IEGCS is now seeking a dynamic and innovative Sr. Program Manager/Sr. Communications Officer to lead the design and implementation of comprehensive communications strategies, to drive the delivery of a broad range of communications products, and to lead a small communications and publications team towards success.

As an integral member of the IEGCS leadership team, the Senior Program Manager Communications will contribute to and engage with topics beyond the communications portfolio itself, specifically with regard to knowledge, learning, and IT platforms, as well as evaluation capacity building.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her Regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 3 year term appointment.

Duties and Accountabilities: More specifically, the Senior Program Manager/Senior Communications Officer will, in close collaboration with the leader of the knowledge and learning team:

Provides advice to and actively supports IEG's leadership team on communications and outreach plans, messaging and positioning, and reputational risk management; takes the lead in strategy and program development and implementation for diverse and highly complex communication campaigns of special significance to IEG; systematically tracks, reports on and assess progress made through strategies and campaigns and refines advice and future actions accordingly;
Leads and builds a team of about five communications and publications specialists in delivering a broad concurrent workprogram, allocating budgets as necessary, and setting, negotiating and delivering towards clear timelines;
Prepares or oversees timely and within-budget preparation and delivery of all IEG communications and outreach products such as speeches, briefings, press releases, talking points, op-eds, blogs and feature stories, reports, brochures, publications, videos, and other online and offline communications products; ensures quality of all communications products that reflects the standards of the Bank Group
Develops and implements business processes for swift and high quality delivery, covering the full scope of communications products and outputs, including the preparation of outreach and tracking strategies, editing and disseminating of reports, delivering social media campaigns etc, and maintaining an editorial calendar in coordination with IEG units;
Provides leadership in the design, development, and management of IEG's external and internal web sites and online collaboration platforms, collaborating closely with individual IEG units to enhance the format, content, and relevance; coordinates with colleagues around the Bank Group, to leverage resources, increase awareness, and identify new online partnerships; reviews and monitors IEG online presence and sites for quality and timeliness, as well as for compliance with Bank information management procedures and practices; reviews the use of social media and other audience engagement tools as part of an IEG communications strategy, and advises or leads others in their use to ensure maximum effectiveness;
Directly and/or through his/her team in works across IEG to design, implement, and monitor high visibility communications campaigns, events, and publication launches; specifically supports Evaluation Teams to develop tailored engagement strategies that promote the evaluation or learning product, while also tracking impact had and influence built;
Stays up to date on current global and regional events and the full range of Bank activities to alert IEG Management to potential critical communications/public relations issues; and contributes to the formulation of the IEG's public position on critical issues.
Builds and sustains open and effective communications channels and relationships with key counterparts inside and outside the World Bank Group, including the media, civil society groups, governments, parliamentarians, academia and think tanks, and other international development agencies and partners interested in the work of IEG;
Liaises and collaborates with colleagues across the Bank Group-wide Communications Network to ensure that IEG's interests are fully integrated into the work of the Bank Group's broader corporate communications efforts and vice-versa;
Mentors and trains staff to broaden the range of skills and capacities in the team and to ensure that communications, both written and multimedia, are of a consistently high standard

Selection Criteria:

Master's or Bachelor's degree in Communications, International Relations Public Affairs, Journalism, Marketing, Political Science or other related disciplines, with a minimum of 5 years (with Master's) or 10 years (with Bachelor's) of relevant experience.
Proven writing, editing, and presentation skills, with a strong command of English and an ability to convey complex ideas in a creative, clear, direct, and lively style; ability to produce professionally written presentations, professionally laid out power point presentations, talking points, speeches, press releases feature articles, and publications both offline and online.
Proven ability to manage larger and complex programs, in terms of the volume and diversity of tasks that need to be managed towards timely delivery, within-budget delivery and high-quality delivery; demonstrated that s/he can effectively lead larger teams, address competency and reskilling issues, and allocate and manage resourcse.
Strong knowledge of and practical experience in a range of communications planning and implementation approaches, both online and offline, such as campaign management, opinion research, media operations, message targeting, and marketing communications.
Experience working with media on high-profile and or sensitive issues.
Ability to think strategically and rapidly synthesize information from varied sources into concise conclusions and recommendations.
Solid conceptual, research and analytical skills.
A firm understanding of development issues as well as knowledge of the World Bank's development goals. In-depth knowledge of national and international trends, political and economic issues, and conditions and developments related to IEG.
Ability to initiate and manage a continuing production process and to conceptualize and execute the online and offline packaging of content.
Ability to leverage online communication tools and methodologies.
Highest ethical standards.

COMPETENCIES

Communication Strategy and Execution in International Development
Demonstrates an in-depth proficiency at a level sufficient to assist, consult, or lead others in the planning, development, and execution of communication strategies for complex projects. Demonstrates strong working knowledge of feedback monitoring and evaluation tools and the ability of leverage them for communication improvement. Leads in the development of expertise in this competency in others. Makes formal presentations on the work of, or on wide-ranging issues concerning the work of, the WBG and conveys ideas effectively to multiple audiences. Interacts effectively with higher-level stakeholders/audiences to build consensus on difficult issues.

Plus: Ensures that best practices are incorporated into the normal approaches taken by the VPU to enhance the business.
Broad Business Thinking
Maintains a deep understanding of key business issues. Understands the broader VPU-wide ramifications of decisions and makes decisions accordingly to ensure consistency across the VPU and client's business. Engages business leaders in the identification of medium-term business solutions consistent with best practices for cross-functional implementation. Ensures that decisions are supported by relevant stakeholders and creates the business case for investment in process and enhancements. Sets clear explanations for the integration and alignment of services/solutions with business functions, focusing on the strategic value provided for multiple areas of responsibility within the client's business.

PLUS: Considers WBG wide implication in decision making to ensure consistency across WBG. Sponsors long-term VPU-wide initiatives.
Social Media, Information Channels, and Communication Tools Awareness - Able to assist, consult, or lead others in assuring existing or new, upcoming communication tools and media channels are fully leveraged to assure proper communication.
Access to Information Policy
Leverages the WBG's Access to Information Policy when advising in areas related to communications products and information dissemination. Takes steps to mitigate the risks and capitalize on the opportunities resulting from increased access to information and more substantial engagement with stakeholders. Demonstrates broad, in-depth proficiency sufficient to be recognized as an authority or master performer in the application of this competency; recognized authority/expert in subject matter area both inside and outside the WBG.
Content Development and Editing
Leads others in content development, writing, and editing of complex communication and/or knowledge products (and related ancillary materials); clears products for external or internal use. Helps ensure that products or product series are strategic, meet institutional needs, and align with innovation and industry trends in specific media; helps conceptualize new products or series to address communications opportunities. Helps manage the resourcing of content and product development activities; contributes to selection of production tools, tool upgrades, and related procurement. Demonstrates in-depth proficiency sufficient to be recognized as an authority/expert in subject matter area both inside and outside the WBG. Leads in developing expertise in this competency in others.
Content Development and Editing
Leads others in content development, writing, and editing of complex communication and/or knowledge products (and related ancillary materials); clears products for external or internal use. Helps ensure that products or product series are strategic, meet institutional needs, and align with innovation and industry trends in specific media; helps conceptualize new products or series to address communications opportunities. Helps manage the resourcing of content and product development activities; contributes to selection of production tools, tool upgrades, and related procurement. Demonstrates in-depth proficiency sufficient to be recognized as an authority/expert in subject matter area both inside and outside the WBG. Leads in developing expertise in this competency in others.
Relationship Management, Political Awareness and Diplomacy
Anticipates and manages critical communication and reputational issues pertaining to the WBG's relations. Demonstrates broad, in-depth proficiency sufficient to be recognized as an authority or master performer in managing critical relationships with civil society, media, and other high-impact stakeholders. Mentors others and is recognized as expert in managing critical relationships.

Advises senior management and contributes to mitigation of reputational risk.
Program Management - Excellent program management skills, able to hold together a complex program of a broad set of communications activities, assigning staff, monitoring progress regularly, allocating and monitoring budgets and spending, and regularly reporting out on progress made or taking decisions on continuance or exit.
Client Understanding and Advising
Advises the client and helps them think proactively about how to best meet their current and future needs, taking into consideration the real underlying issues that the client may not be aware of. Builds an independent opinion of clients' needs and opportunities that may challenge traditional approaches within WBG. Works internally with other VPUs and externally with partners/providers to define client needs and develop the best approach to meet those needs (e.g., finds appropriate solutions and negotiates internally for needed resources and support). Helps clients understand complicated issues by describing the issue and solutions in a concise way that clients can easily understand.

PLUS: Based on an in-depth understanding of long-term strategies of ITS and its clients, plays a lead role in advocating for a position that is best for WBG even when it's difficult or unpopular with others in the VPU and/or the client. Provides recommendations to multiple VPUs that can add value to customers beyond normal offerings.
Deliver Results for Clients
Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable. Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the client and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients. Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.
Leadership, Teamwork, Collaboration, and Inclusion. Shows leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.
Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied level, using advanced KM tools and platforms.
Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making. Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.