Senior External Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group is a prominent global partnership consisting of five institutions dedicated to addressing the most pressing development challenges faced by countries around the world. Established with the mission to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity, the organization has grown to encompass 189 member countries and operates more than 120 offices globally. The World Bank Group is recognized as one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing nations, leveraging data, research, and technology to create impactful solutions. The organization emphasizes collaboration with both public and private sector partners to invest in innovative projects that drive sustainable development and improve living conditions for people in need. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Job Overview:
The Senior External Affairs Officer will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing a comprehensive communications and stakeholder engagement program for the World Bank Group (WBG) in Mozambique and four other countries: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, and Seychelles. This position requires a strategic thinker who can effectively position the WBG as a partner of choice, enhancing its reputation and ensuring alignment with operational priorities and country strategies. The officer will lead the design and implementation of a communications strategy that integrates various business lines, including Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Business Marketing, Advocacy & Campaigns, and Risk & Issue Management. The role demands seasoned judgment, political awareness, and the ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, civil society, and the private sector. The Senior Officer will report to the ECRAE External Affairs Manager and collaborate closely with colleagues across the WBG to ensure a unified approach to communications and stakeholder engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Lead the design and execution of a strategic stakeholder engagement plan to deepen relationships across government, private sector, development partners, civil society, academia, media, and youth. Build high-level partnerships to expand WBG influence and support reform momentum. Provide strategic advice on engagement strategies and political dynamics. Serve as the senior liaison with national and subnational organizations to enhance the visibility of WBG programs. Convene dialogues and public forums to support policy discussions and amplify support for critical reforms. Capture insights from proactive communications and feed them back into country strategy and operations. Identify and elevate stakeholder-driven issues that may pose reputational risks for the WBG.
• Strategic Business Marketing: Position the WBG as a strategic partner in Mozambique and the other four countries, articulating how the integrated public-private WBG accelerates reforms and maximizes development impact. Develop high-impact communications strategies that shape narratives around jobs, private-sector-led growth, resilience, energy security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and institutional reform. Manage a suite of marketing products, including client testimonials, success stories, and strategic business narratives. Identify flagship projects and reform milestones that demonstrate results and generate demand for WBG engagement.
• Advocacy and Campaigns: Lead the design and rollout of high-visibility advocacy campaigns that mobilize stakeholders around reform priorities and WBG-supported initiatives. Localize messages for regional and global advocacy efforts, showcasing the impact of the WBG’s support across media and stakeholder engagement. Ensure consistent messaging across all channels and oversee the production of high-quality communications materials, including speeches, press releases, and multimedia content.
• Risk and Issue Management: Anticipate and assess emerging political or reputational risks, providing timely advice to senior management on risk exposure and response options. Maintain a reputational risk report and develop issue notes and scenario plans as needed. Lead mitigation strategies for sensitive operations and high-profile issues, ensuring coordinated responses across WBG and ECR teams.
• Corporate Coordination and Innovation: Drive efforts towards a unified WBG narrative and leverage cross-institutional opportunities. Represent the region in global ECR initiatives and mentor junior staff to strengthen capacity across the regional communications network. Support ECR management in integrating communications functions across the WBG.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a relevant mix of education and experience, including a Master’s degree with at least 8 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience in communication, journalism, public affairs, international affairs, or related fields. Experience in an international environment and knowledge of international trends and political/economic issues related to development are essential. Candidates should have a strong understanding of WBG operations and current development topics, with the ability to identify communications and reputation-related risks and opportunities. Demonstrated political awareness and the ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations are crucial, as is experience working with senior executives and managing reputational risks. Excellent English and Portuguese language skills are required, with proficiency in writing and editing complex communications products. Knowledge of French and a local language of the region is advantageous.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as communication, journalism, public affairs, international affairs, or other related fields is required. Candidates with equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in communications, public affairs, or a related field, preferably within an international context. Candidates should have experience working in Mozambique or with local entities, including government, private sector, and civil society organizations. Familiarity with WBG operations and the ability to navigate complex political environments are essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Portuguese is mandatory, with the ability to write and edit complex communications products clearly and persuasively. Knowledge of French and a local language of the region is considered a plus, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders effectively.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 2 years. The World Bank Group offers a comprehensive benefits package, including a retirement plan, medical, life and disability insurance, and paid leave, including parental leave. The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates regardless of gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. The WBG culture emphasizes a sense of urgency, thoughtful risk-taking, and empowerment and accountability among its employees.