Back External Affairs Officer, Tajikistan - Communications

 Description

Do 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

The World Bank’s Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region is made up of 30 diverse client countries, ranging from IDA-only and IDA-blend borrowers to IBRD credit-worthy borrowers with active lending programs and IBRD graduates.  With a population of nearly 500 million people, poverty remains a challenge in both middle- and low-income countries. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dimmed prospects of a post-pandemic economic recovery for emerging and developing economies in the Europe and Central Asia region. Regional output is now expected to contract by 0.2 percent in 2022, reflecting negative spillovers from the invasion. Growth projections for 2023 have been downgraded for most countries in the region due to the ongoing impacts of the war in Ukraine, weakening growth prospects in the euro area, tighter-than-anticipated monetary policy, and severe commodity market shocks. GDP is set to expand at an anemic pace of 0.3 percent in 2023.
Tajikistan 

The External Affairs officer is an integral part of the Tajikistan country team, carrying out strategic advising and public affairs management function in the country. Reporting to the ECA Communications Manager and as part of the ECR broader community, the External Affairs Officer shall work independently within the structure of the World Bank External Affairs family, seeking guidance from management, proactively collaborating with operational staff and other members of the country team, and building partnerships with internal colleagues from around the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, the Global Practices (GP)s and other areas of the institutions. 
The core functions of the External Affairs Officer will be externally facing, focusing on key external audiences, including media, government officials, academics, business leaders, civil society organizations, and internal audiences. S/he will lead in the design and implementation of communications and outreach strategies directed at both internal and external audiences and in the implementation of customized approaches appropriate to Tajikistan and as part of the World Bank’s overall engagement strategy across Central Asia. S/he is responsible for building stakeholder engagement across a wide swath of partners in the country and within the international development community. S/he will also advise the country management team on reputational risk issues, political environment and the corresponding World Bank positioning.

Responsibilities
The World Bank Tajikistan Country Office is seeking an experienced and dynamic communications professional who will work across all areas and instruments of the Tajikistan country programs to share knowledge, build partnerships, promote key dimensions of these programs, and “market” the results of the programs to audiences.

Specific Duties

• The External Affairs Officer’s major responsibilities will include, but are not limited, to the following:
  
• Political and public opinion analysis and speechwriting
• Advise the management and country teams on alignment of country communications with global and corporate communication priorities and messaging. 
  
• Monitor and analyze current events and public and press opinion in Tajikistan and provide regular updates to the Country Manager and country team.
• Analyze and assess the current political economy and operating environment vis-à-vis World Bank operations and standing within the country.
  
• Provide real-time insight and analysis of ongoing political developments, changes, and potential outcomes, including advice on how to effectively intervene in complicated political environments.
• Draft talking points and provide advice to the Country Manager, including through briefings on political trends, news developments, public opinion, and changing/unexpected circumstances that may impact the Bank and its work in Tajikistan. 
  Reputational Risk Management
  • Actively explore and identify reputational risk issues that may impact the World Bank’s work in Tajikistan.
    
  • Draft and develop appropriate messaging and holding statements to guide the Country Director/Coutntry Manager/Project Leaders vis-à-vis the media and the relevant stakeholders.
  • Provide general advice to the management and project teams on navigating client relations/responses during a crisis. 
    Strategy formulation in print/social media, implementation and monitoring:
    • Design, develop, and execute a communication strategy utilizing print, online and social media for the Tajikistan Country Office that will promote the innovations and results in Tajikistan’s program across the World Bank Group, capitalizing on the critical lending sectors.  Ensure the strategy is aligned with corporate priorities, demonstrates Bank impact, and anticipates reputational risk issues. Follows through with fully implementing detailed communications plans, while monitoring and evaluating its impact and effectiveness. 
      
    • Articulate an implementable communications strategy with clear short- and medium-term action plans that promote a positive image of Tajikistan and the Bank’s programs/activities, while advocating on key strategic issues (e.g., green growth, social inclusion, inclusive growth, etc.). Selectively invest limited time and resources to create communications efforts of highest impact on key audiences, advising management of the need to revise as priorities and circumstances warrant.
    • Formulate a strategic framework for social media to better position the World Bank’s Tajikistan program and its key advocacy campaigns within the country and with key partners; execute the strategy with a sustainable maintenance plan that strengthens the program within social media.
      
    • Guide on risks of digital engagement in line with corporate standards. 
      Support to Operations:
      • Actively seeks out strategic communications opportunities within the country program to promote the Bank’s results in Tajikistan both internally and externally.  
        
      • Provide regular communications support to operations with the guidance and support of the ECA communications team in Washington. Determine the types of information and communications strategies, tools and activities that are best suited to addressing issues under the Bank’s access to information policy and according to specific reputational risks. 
      • Prepare communications packages: write/disseminate both routine and specific products (e.g., results stories, news releases, backgrounders, speeches, communication briefing notes, tweets, Facebook posts, etc.) to promote the strategic and timely flow of information and key messages about the Bank Group in Tajikistan, its policies and operations to key internal and external audiences.
        
      • Produce high quality multimedia products on the impact of World Bank-financed project. 
      • Effectively use online and social media in the context of the communications strategy and maintain Tajikistan country office websites and social media channels.
        External relations:
        • Initiate and sustain effective professional relationships with key external constituencies (particularly, Civil Society, NGOs, academia, and private sector). Identify opportunities for and forge strategic partnerships outside the Bank to improve dialogue and outreach and to strengthen the Bank's overall effectiveness and image.  Enhance public outreach through partnerships with civil society, universities, student associations, foundations, private sector, including joint seminars and other outreach events by working closely with other communications colleagues.
          
        • Identify, facilitate, and maintain key stakeholder engagement with a cross-section of local and international partners, including with the government, the media, CSOs, academia, the international development community, and others.

          Selection Criteria

          •Excellent command of verbal and written English, Russian and Tajik languages.

          •Master's degree with 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in communications, public relations, international development or a related field.•Communication Strategy and Execution for Development - Independently develops a coherent communications strategy and plans to support their implementation for complex projects and programs.  Uses feedback to improve work in communications and operations. Contributes to the development of expertise in this competency in others. 

          •Social Media, Information Channels, and Communication Tools Awareness - Modifies communication strategies to leverage existing or new communication tools or media. Leverages WBG's Knowledge Management products to establish knowledge sharing partnerships internally. Contributes to others' development in this competency.•Access to Information Policy - Uses WBG's Access to Information Policy when consulting on the development, design, and delivery of communications products. Demonstrates in-depth proficiency sufficient to develop others in this competency.

          •Content Development and Editing - Takes full responsibility for the development of communications content. Ensures the development of communications products to the WBG standard. Contributes to the development of expertise in this competency in others. •Relationship Management, Political Awareness and Diplomacy - Strategizes, plans, and implements the development and maintenance of relationships with critical internal and/or external constituencies. Systematically maintains and leverages high-level communication networks within key constituencies.

          📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

          ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

          •Client Understanding and Advising - Looks at issues from the client’s perspective and advocates for clients within own area so others focus on meeting client needs.•Broad Business Thinking - Maintains an in-depth understanding of the long-term implications of decisions, both for related areas within the VPU and the client’s business. Involves key players in identifying operating needs, issues, and immediate solutions.

          •Lead and Innovate - Develops innovative solutions.•Deliver Results for Clients - Proactively addresses clients’ stated and unstated needs.

          •Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries - Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective, and willingly remains open to and receives diverse perspectives.•Create, Apply, and Share Knowledge - Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients.

          •Make Smart Decisions - Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward.•Shareholder and Stakeholder Engagement - Analyzes and provides advice on Shareholder and Stakeholder engagement.

          •Ability to work effectively under stress; ability to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines.•Excellent computer skills; ability to use standard Bank technology packages, e.g., Word, Sharepoint, Microsoft Outlook PowerPoint, Internet, Excel, HTML, etc.

          Skills and Behaviors:•Strong client focus:  Sound judgment and ability to evaluate client needs, suggest innovative approaches and follow up to implement; 

          •Demonstrated willingness to receive and learn from feedback and adjust to a rapidly-changing environment with evolving priorities;•Ability to prioritize, work well under pressure and capably handle/juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines; 

          •Ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into key messages tailored to target audiences.

          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.

          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.

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