Associate Communications Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a leading multilateral development bank established in 1966, headquartered in Manila, Philippines. ADB's mission is to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. The organization is owned by 69 members, with 50 of them from the region, and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to fostering prosperity in Asia. ADB works collaboratively with its members and partners to address complex challenges, leveraging innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives and build quality infrastructure. ADB is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates, particularly women, regardless of their background or abilities.

Job Overview:
The Associate Communications Officer position is situated within the Planning Division of the Department of Communications and Knowledge Management at ADB. This role is pivotal in supporting the communications function, acting as the first point of contact for clients seeking assistance from the department. The officer will be responsible for providing timely and client-focused solutions to various communications service requests. This includes the development and management of automated systems and AI tools to streamline internal service requests and enhance self-service access to communications offerings. The role requires a proactive approach to assessing and addressing high-volume service requests, coordinating with various teams, and ensuring that the communications needs of ADB clients are met efficiently. The officer will also support strategic communication activities, including planning and executing communication initiatives for significant events such as the Annual Meeting, thereby playing a crucial role in ADB's mission to foster prosperity in Asia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Associate Communications Officer include:

• Supporting communications service requests by coordinating with DOCK teams and consulting relevant experts to ensure timely solutions.
• Assessing and addressing high-volume, low-touch service requests from clients.
• Triaging complex and resource-intensive service requests to appropriate DOCK teams.
• Developing processes and platforms for an automated and AI-enabled system to serve as the first responder for ADB's support needs.
• Creating and maintaining a knowledge base on client request types, frequency, and solutions to inform the development of a self-service system and broader strategic planning.
• Ensuring the self-service system is up-to-date and aligned with clients' evolving needs.
• Supporting strategic communication activities as required, including media relations and planning.
• Assisting in the planning and execution of communication activities for the Annual Meeting.
• Performing other related tasks as assigned by the Director of the Planning Division.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Associate Communications Officer position must possess a Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, marketing, international relations, or a related field, with a preference for those with advanced training. Additionally, candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in journalism, media relations, public affairs, or strategic communications within either the public or private sector. A strong understanding of strategic communications planning and campaign development is essential, along with proficiency in media relations, which includes building relationships with journalists and managing media inquiries. Excellent writing and editing skills, as well as strong oral communication skills and a team-oriented mindset, are also required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, marketing, international relations, or a related field. Candidates with advanced training in these areas will be preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and knowledge relevant to the role.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant work experience in fields such as journalism, media relations, public affairs, or strategic communications. This experience should ideally be gained in either the public or private sector, demonstrating a solid understanding of the communications landscape and the ability to navigate complex communication challenges effectively.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential given the nature of the role and the international context of ADB. Additional language skills may be considered advantageous, particularly those relevant to the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing the officer's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This appointment is a fixed-term position for an initial period of 3 years, with the possibility of extension for up to 2 additional years, conversion to a regular appointment, or termination at the end of the initial period based on ADB's needs and the staff member's performance. The role is full-time and based at ADB's headquarters in Manila, Philippines. ADB offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, which includes housing and education allowances (if applicable), expatriate benefits (if applicable), a retirement plan, medical and health benefits, paid leave (including parental leave), life and other insurance plans, and opportunities for staff development.