Communications and External Relations Officer

Role Overview

This position sits within the World Bank Group’s Regional Stakeholder Engagement team, where you will shape how the institution communicates with governments, civil society, media, and the private sector across multiple regions. Day to day, you will lead advocacy campaigns, direct editorial planning, produce high-impact stories and messaging, and help protect the organization’s reputation during sensitive moments. Your work ensures that complex development challenges are translated into clear, persuasive narratives that build trust, demonstrate results, and advance the Bank Group’s regional priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and coordinate integrated advocacy campaigns that support regional flagship initiatives and align with institutional goals, bringing together media outreach, digital content, executive communications, and live events.
• Own the regional editorial calendar, planning and sequencing content development across country teams to ensure timely, cohesive, and high-quality output.
• Write, edit, and oversee the production of speeches, blogs, op-eds, press materials, newsletters, talking points, and multimedia features for senior leadership, maintaining rigorous editorial standards.
• Identify and package compelling stories that showcase development outcomes, client impact, and regional thought leadership, adapting them for web, social media, and emerging digital platforms.
• Develop messaging frameworks and campaign plans that translate stakeholder insights into persuasive communications, using analytics to refine audience engagement.
• Monitor political, economic, and social trends to anticipate reputational risks, and prepare briefing materials, background notes, and risk-aware messaging for leadership and operational teams.
• Support strategic business marketing by surfacing flagship projects and knowledge products that reinforce a unified World Bank Group approach and drive broader business objectives.
• Coordinate with colleagues across IBRD, IDA, IFC, and MIGA to ensure consistent, accurate communications during major announcements and when responding to sensitive issues.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, international relations, or a related field, plus at least five years of relevant professional experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
• Proven experience in international settings, with a solid grasp of global development trends, political dynamics, and economic issues, and the ability to spot communication and reputational challenges early.
• Familiarity with government institutions, public bodies, civil society organizations, think tanks, or private-sector entities, and comfort engaging with diverse local actors and stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of development operations and current development topics, enabling you to connect technical work to broader advocacy narratives.
• Strong political judgment and diplomatic skills, including experience advising senior executives on sensitive messaging, media relations, and stakeholder engagement.
• Exceptional English writing and editing ability, with the capacity to make complex ideas clear, logical, and persuasive for varied audiences; proficiency in additional languages is an advantage.
• Demonstrated organizational agility to manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and maintain accountability under pressure.
• A collaborative mindset, with strong interpersonal skills and the sensitivity needed to work effectively in a multicultural, cross-border environment.