Communications & External Relations Officer

Job #:
req37653

Organization:
World Bank

Sector:
External Affairs & Corporate Relations

Grade:
GF

Term Duration:
4 years 0 months

Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:
Washington, DC,United States

Required Language(s):
English

Preferred Language(s):
Arabic

Closing Date:
7/29/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Communications & External Relations Officer
CERMN is seeking an experienced and dynamic Communications & External Relations Officer located in World Bank Group Headquarters. The Communications & External Affairs Officer is a member of the Regional Stakeholder Engagement team and supports the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement, communications, advocacy, and reputational risk management activities across the region.

The position contributes to advancing the World Bank Group's regional stakeholder engagement agenda through delivery across CER's four business lines: Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Business Marketing, Advocacy & Campaigns, and Risk & Issue Management. The role requires sound judgment, strong analytical and communications skills, political awareness, and the ability to develop compelling communications, engage diverse stakeholders, and support regional priorities.

The Communications & External Relations Officer may lead one or more of the region's business lines or priority initiatives and is expected to work flexibly across the portfolio to support evolving regional priorities.

Working closely with regional and country management, operational teams, and colleagues across IBRD, IDA, IFC, and MIGA, the External Affairs Officer helps advance a coordinated One World Bank Group approach to external affairs. The position combines strategic thinking with hands-on implementation and supports the delivery of priority regional initiatives and stakeholder engagement activities.

The Communications & External Relations Officer will report to the CERMN Manager and work as part of the CERMN team, collaborating closely with colleagues supporting both public and private sector engagements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Stakeholder Engagement
• Lead or support stakeholder engagement strategies that advance World Bank Group priorities, support country outcomes, and strengthen the institution's influence.
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society organizations, academia, media, and other influential audiences.
• Lead stakeholder mapping, analysis, and monitoring to identify emerging issues, opportunities, and trends that may affect World Bank Group priorities or operations.
• Provide stakeholder insights to regional and operational teams to inform engagement approaches, communications, and program delivery.
• Help ensure stakeholder perspectives are reflected in communications products, advocacy efforts, and engagement activities.
• Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration across the regional stakeholder engagement network, contributing to the continuous improvement of stakeholder engagement practices.

2. Strategic Business Marketing
• Position the World Bank Group as a trusted development partner by promoting integrated public-private solutions and the One World Bank Group approach.
• Develop and lead communications initiatives, strategic narratives, and engagement approaches that support regional priorities, operational objectives, and client engagement.
• Identify and elevate flagship operations, reform achievements, knowledge products, and development results that demonstrate impact and generate demand for World Bank Group engagement.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen visibility and understanding of the World Bank Group's work among governments, investors, private sector partners, foundations, and development stakeholders.
• Support innovative communications approaches, digital engagement initiatives, and the use of stakeholder intelligence and data to strengthen outreach and impact.

3. Advocacy & Campaigns
• Lead or coordinate advocacy and communications campaigns that support regional priorities, reform efforts, and institutional objectives.
• Develop compelling messaging and narratives that translate complex development issues into clear, accessible, and persuasive communications.
• Coordinate regional contributions to corporate and global campaigns, adapting messages and approaches to regional and country contexts.
• Draft speeches, op-eds, press releases, talking points, digital content, briefing materials, and other communications products for regional management and senior officials.
• Help ensure communications are consistent, audience-focused, and aligned across stakeholder engagement, digital, media, and communications channels.
• Support collaboration across IBRD, IDA, IFC, and MIGA to advance integrated communications and reinforce the One World Bank Group approach.

4. Risk & Issue Management
• Lead or support the identification, assessment, and monitoring of reputational risks and emerging issues affecting World Bank Group operations and regional priorities.
• Lead or contribute to stakeholder analyses, issue assessments, mitigation plans, and communications strategies for sensitive operations and reform initiatives.
• Prepare issue briefs, leadership briefing materials, background notes, and communications products to support informed decision-making.
• Monitor political, economic, and social developments and assess potential implications for World Bank Group operations, stakeholder engagement, and institutional reputation.
• Coordinate with colleagues across countries, institutions, and business lines to support the effective delivery of regional stakeholder engagement priorities.

Selection Criteria
• We require a relevant mix of education and experience: Master's degree with 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant discipline (communication, journalism, public affairs, international affairs, or other related fields).
• Experience working in an international environment and in-depth knowledge of international trends and political/economic issues related to development.
• Knowledge of, and experience working in government and/or public institutions, or other entities - private sector, business associations, CSOs, think tanks and other key local actors.
• An understanding of WBG operations; up-to-date knowledge of current development topics and issues, and ability to identify communications and reputation-related risks and opportunities in an international environment.
• Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and to otherwise cultivate effective, productive client relationships and partnerships. Experience working with senior executives including experience of managing reputational risks and issues, messaging, stakeholder engagement, and media engagement; and ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources.
• Excellent English and language skills and proficiency to write and edit complex communications products for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and logical, persuasive presentation, in an accessible way to different audiences. Fluency in Arabic a plus.
• Demonstrated ability and the necessary personal organization skills to multitask, take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results.
• Teamwork orientation with strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills, and sensitivity to working in a multicultural environment.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.