Principal Communications Officer - Middle East, Central Asia, Turkiye, Afghanistan and Pakistan Job #: req33814 Organization: IFC Sector: Communications Grade: GH Term Duration:ย 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Dubai,United Arab Emirates Required Language(s): English, Arabic Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/24/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
IFC โ a member of the World Bank Group โ is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. IFC supports private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
Are you passionate about having an impact on peopleโs lives and contributing to solving some of the worldโs greatest development challenges? Do you believe that the private sector can provide practical and efficient responses, and generate growth and jobs to drive down poverty and improve the quality of life for people? Would you like to support climate transition in critical industries and promote tech innovations, and smart solutions and processes? Then consider this opportunity.
We are looking to hire a Principal Communications Officer to join our Regional Communications team, and design and implement our communications strategy for the Middle East, Central Asia, Pakistan, and Afghanistan (MCT) region, including two clusters (Central Asia countries + Turkiye; and: Middle East+ Pakistan + Afghanistan). The selected candidate will be a trusted advisor for the Office of the Regional Vice President, the Regional Directors in charge of each cluster, the Industry and Country Management within the region. The selected candidate is expected to travel as needed to effectively perform their role.
The Principal Communications Officer will be an integral member of the Regional Communications Unit. This Unit works closely with Corporate and Industry communications teams to advance business development and communicate IFCโs impact in regions of coverage. Regional Communications Officers engage with IFCโs stakeholders (companies and businesses, development partners, civil society, and others) to promote projects that showcase IFCโs leadership and innovation as the premier partner of choice for the private sector in emerging and developing economies. The Regional Communications Unit collaborates regularly with counterparts within the World Bank Group.ย
Role and responsibilities:
The position will be based in Dubai, UAE and will report to the Manager for Regional Communications based in Paris, France.ย
The Principal Communications Officer for MCT-Af-Pak will be responsible for:
Supervision and quality control:ย -ย Lead, structure, and manage an agile team of communications professionals to ensure effective delivery of a robust work program across a region that is geographically, economically, and politically diverse.-ย Oversee the development of communications strategies and communications materialsย (issue briefs, stakeholder engagement plans, talking points and Q&As, and reactive messaging/holding statements, case studies, etc.) for both internal and external use. Ensure each product meets IFCโs quality standards.-ย Ensure consistency and harmonization across communications the region of coverage, identifying opportunities for regional narratives and approaches, where appropriate.-ย Proactively manage performance and support team memberโs growth.-ย Ensure message alignment with WBG priorities.
Communications support to operational teams:ย -ย Build and nurture network of contacts with key audiences โ media, corporate executives and business groups, strategic clients, civil society, academia, government agencies, DFIs, World Bank and UN representatives.-ย As trusted advisor, provide strategic advice to the team and to internal clients on communications matters, lead efforts to identify/leverage opportunities for proactive, high-impact and creative communications (reports, industry insights) that helps positioning IFC and its projects with relevant audiences.ย -ย Actively support business development and expansion through innovative communications, notably in the context of WBGโs enhanced focus on GCC countries and IFCโs work to promote south-south investmentsย -ย Work collaboratively and maintain dialogue with IFCโs operational teams (Regional Vice President, Directors and Managers) to ensure that communications activities always support business development.ย -ย Actively participate in operational retreats and meetings to inform communications strategies.
Executive communications:-ย Serve as focal point for Regional Vice Presidentโs communications: draft/review and sign off on communications materials for the RVP; actively explore opportunities to leverage the RVPโs voice to amplify IFC work and impact in the region; support the RVPโs internal engagement activities, including townhalls; serve as main liaison officer with the RVPโs Front Office; contribute from a communications perspective to strategic meetings and retreats convened by the RVP.-ย Provide input and coordinate as needed to WBG counterparts while preparing high-level engagements and communications activities for WBG representatives
Coordination and harmonization:-ย Implement and leverage relevant communications tools and work processes designed for the Communications and Outreach Department and WBG Communications staff.-ย Actively participate in committee bringing together all regional leads under the leadership of the Regional Communications Manager and any other platform with WBG counterparts.
In collaboration with other communications units in IFCโs communications and outreach department the Principal Communications Officer will also be responsible for:
Risk monitoring and mitigation:-ย Follow up, in close coordination with relevant World Bank Group colleagues, on economic and social trends issues affecting the business climate in the region. Provide insights to regional and communications management.-ย Support risk identification and mitigation activities.-ย Support proactive and reactive stakeholder engagement and timely responses to questions and concerns.ย -ย Advise specific internal and external stakeholders on managing responses in challenging circumstances.
Corporate contributions:-ย Contribute to the successful implementation of WBG communications strategy, ensuring that key themes of job creation and private capital mobilization are reflected in regional communications efforts.-ย Actively support any mission or activity involving WBG/IFC management in the region.-ย Coordinate with IFCโs Corporate Communications Unit on messaging, branding, and positioning-ย Actively explore joint communications opportunities with World Bank Group counterparts and support the Joint Country Representation initiative that results in creating one WBG representative in countries, including a few in the region covered
Content coordination, with the Industry Communications Unit:-ย Reflect relevant content from other units when appropriate in regional narratives and ensure that regional content is understood and well reflected in corporate and/or industry messaging.-ย Ensure dissemination of relevant content developed by other units when appropriate, especially papers and research pieces led by the global industry and cross-cutting themes communications unit; coordinate the dissemination of regional research pieces.
Selection Criteria
-ย Masterโs degree in communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Business/Finance with at least 12 years of experience in corporate communications, international relations, government relations, public affairs, political science, or another related field.ย -ย Previous senior communications experience in the private sector in the region and solid contacts amongst business networks.-ย Strong understanding of main regional business trends and geopolitical context across the entire region covered.-ย Excellent verbal and written communications skills as a fluent speaker in English and Arabic.ย -ย Strategic-thinking, creative-thinking, and ability to design and execute ambitious campaigns positively impacting stakeholdersโ perceptions.ย -ย Understanding WBGโs mission and IFCโs business model and private sector development issues and clear vision of how effective communications can support operational delivery.-ย Demonstrated media management experience and ability to quickly activate or develop personal networks of contacts (including media, influencers, opinion leaders, corporate communications executives, etc.) if selected for the role.-ย In-depth experience in crisis communications and reputation management.-ย Decisiveness, courage of conviction, strong people, and project management skills; demonstrated experience in performance management; ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment create and a common purpose to help team members deliver at their best.ย -ย Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills to operate with good judgement, tact, and discretion when appropriate and successfully manage relations with senior management; ability to navigate and operate in a complex, matrix-like environment.-ย WBG Core competencies: client orientation; drive for results; teamwork of collaboration and inclusion; knowledge, learning and communication; business judgement and analytical decision-making.
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of Urgency โ Anticipating and quickly reacting to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful Risk Taking โ Taking informed and thoughtful risks and making courageous decisions to push boundaries for greater impact.
3. Empowerment and Accountability โ Engaging with others in an empowered and accountable manner for impactful results.