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ย 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 and boosting prosperity on a livable planet. 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
Eastern and Southern Africa (AFE) Region:The World Bank is a long-standing partner of Eastern and Southern Africa. It has an active portfolio of 361 operations totaling $76.3 billion covering key sectors in the region such as agriculture, trade and transport, digital, energy, education, health, water and sanitation - all to support job creation, gender equality, poverty reduction, and better lives.ย
DRC Context:
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), about the size of Western Europe, is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa. DRC is endowed with exceptional natural resources, including minerals such as cobalt and copper, hydropower potential, significant arable land, immense biodiversity, and the worldโs second-largest rainforest.ย Most people in DRC have not benefited from this wealth. A long history of conflict, political upheaval and instability, and authoritarian rule have led to a grave, ongoing humanitarian crisis. In addition, there has been forced displacement of populations. These features have not changed significantly since the end of the Congo Wars in 2003. DRC is among the five poorest nations in the world. In 2022, nearly 62% of Congolese, around 60 million people, lived on less than $2.15 a day. About one out of six people living in extreme poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa lives in DRC.ย
World Bank engagement in the DRC is guided by a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) that is reassessed and renewed on average every five to six years. The Democratic Republic of Congo CPF for 2022-2026 emphasizes human development, with a commitment to help DRC improve access to and quality of basic services such as education, health, and social protection. The CPF also has a strong emphasis on addressing drivers of fragility, conflict, and violence, as well as mitigating impacts from health crises and building resilience to shocks and climate change. Protecting DRCโs rainforest by addressing drivers of deforestation and forest degradation is also at the forefront of the CPF, as forests represent a resource of basic necessity for a majority of the poorest people in DRC.ย
As of August 31, 2023, the World Bank portfolio in the DRC totaled $8.6 billion, with 23 national projects ($8.2 billion) and three regional projects ($452 million). Engagements span: economic management, governance, and private sector development; human capital (health, education, social protection); sustainable development (infrastructure and connectivity, agriculture and food security, access to electricity and water, urban development); womenโs empowerment, and prevention and response to gender-based violence.
For more information, visit www.worldbank.org/en/country/drcExternal and Corporate Relations Vice-Presidency (ECR):
The mission of External and Corporate Relations (ECR) is to help deliver financial and political support for the World Bank Group, strengthen the Bank Groupโs role as a global thought leader in development by enhancing and safeguarding its reputation, and supporting operational teams to achieve country outcomes. ECR manages corporate communications and global engagement with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, foundations, private sector, donor countries, and international organizations, as well as employee engagement. ECR also manages strategic communications for the World Bankโs Regions and Global Practices and leads the management of reputation risk.
External and Corporate Relations for Eastern and Southern Africa (ECRAE):
The External and Corporate Relations Department for Eastern and Southern Africa (ECRAE) manages strategic communications in support of the Bank's work in the region. In particular, the communications program is directed at building understanding and support for the work of the World Bank and ensuring the full spectrum of views and information is brought into the Bank's decision-making. The mission of ECRAE is to connect and engage with diverse stakeholders, promote an informed and evidence-based debate about development in the region, and enhance the Bankโs reputation as an effective development partner for the countries in the region. ECRAEโs key audiences include government officials, think tanks and researchers, business leaders, civil society organizations, development partners, journalists, and internal decision makers within the World Bank.
Responsibilities:
The External Affairs Officer will be expected to develop a clear narrative & strategic communication around key issues, build effective stakeholder networks to support the green, resilient and inclusive transformation of the DRC, proactively deploy advocacy and campaign strategies, manage reputational risk, disseminate results and support internal communications.
The specific duties and accountabilities include:
Development and implementation of communication strategies: Responsible for planning, design, and implementation of strategies to promote effective communications with external and internal audiences on World Bank-financed operations, research products, and campaigns. Help determine the most effective content and communications interventions to address challenges.
Risk and issues management on high-risk operations in DRC: Monitor perceptions, track shifts in opinion, and respond to inquiries. Publish, and package facts about project goals and milestones. Provide political economy analysis including regular monitoring of the media.
Partnership and stakeholder relations: Identify stakeholders, opinion leaders and influential organizations in DRC and guide a strategy of engagement with these stakeholders, which might range from media and parliamentarians to faith-based organizations to business associations. Responsible for convening stakeholder groups for consultations and structured dialogues around projects, knowledge outputs, and country development priorities, as well as regular press briefings and other ad hoc engagements.
Production of communication products: Responsible for planning and delivering a range of compelling products that tell for the story of the World Bank's operational goals, results and knowledge in the DRC โ ranging from press releases and Op-Eds to web features, documentary videos, brochures, Q&As, briefing notes, speeches, and updates to the country website and related World Bank social media channels.
Support operations: Provide advice and support to operational teams, as well as input throughout projects cycle, including comments during project preparation.ย
Selection Criteria
Masterโs degree with 5 years of relevant experience or bachelorโs degree with 10 years of relevant experience, in a relevant discipline (communication, journalism, international affairs or other related fields).
Excellent written and spoken command of English and French, and the ability to convey complex ideas in a creative, clear, direct, and lively style.
Strong understanding and experience with digital content and social media.
Sufficient understanding of project management concepts to propose and develop drafts of communications plans and strategies with minimal supervision.
Able to apply standard project management tools, methodologies, and processes; able to identify and mitigate project risks as well as manage project issues.
Experience working in an international organization and on development issues.
Knowledge of, and experience working with the Democratic Republic of Congo government and public institutions, ideally national and subnational, CSOs, universities and other key actors in the DRC.In-depth knowledge of international trends and political/economic issues related to development.
Strong diplomatic, interpersonal, and teamwork skills; sensitivity to working in a multicultural environment; flexible attitude toward shifting demands.ย
Demonstrated ability and personal organization skills to multitask, take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon 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.
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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