Communications and External Affairs Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group (WBG) is a prominent global partnership established to provide funding and knowledge to developing countries. Founded with the mission to eradicate extreme poverty and promote sustainable development, the WBG comprises five institutions and has 189 member countries. With over 120 offices worldwide, the organization collaborates with both public and private sector partners to invest in innovative projects and leverage data, research, and technology to address pressing global challenges. The WBG is dedicated to enhancing shared prosperity and ensuring that development efforts are effective and impactful. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Job Overview:
The Communications and External Affairs Officer plays a crucial role within the Western and Central Africa Communications and External Affairs team, based in Accra, Ghana. This position is integral to the design and execution of stakeholder engagement, communications, advocacy, and reputational risk management activities that align with the World Bank Group's strategic priorities in Ghana. The officer will contribute to the delivery of the Communications and External Relations (CER) business lines, which include Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Business Marketing, Advocacy & Campaigns, and Risk & Issue Management. The role demands strong judgment, political acumen, and exceptional communication skills to foster relationships, identify opportunities and risks, and provide high-quality external affairs support. The officer will work closely with country and regional management, operational teams, and colleagues across various World Bank Group institutions to promote a coordinated approach to stakeholder engagement and communications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain trusted relationships with government officials, development partners, private sector representatives, media, academia, youth, and civil society to enhance understanding of the WBG’s role. Spearhead strategic partnerships that drive impact, maintain an active network of influencers, and advise the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and operational teams on effective stakeholder engagement strategies. Lead outreach programs that foster open discussions on reform challenges and manage media relations to broaden outreach opportunities.
• Strategic Business Marketing: Showcase the WBG’s integrated offerings by linking public policy reforms to private capital mobilization and knowledge services. Develop communication strategies that highlight results and demonstrate the impact of WBG support, while promoting success stories and thought leadership products that illustrate transformative impacts in key sectors.
• Advocacy and Campaigns: Contribute to regional and global advocacy efforts by localizing messages and supporting country-specific campaigns. Design and implement communications plans for major project launches, ensuring consistent messaging across channels, and draft communications materials such as press releases and social media content.
• Risk and Issue Management: Monitor political, social, and media developments to identify risks and opportunities for WBG engagement. Provide timely analysis and recommendations on sensitive issues and support the development of proactive communication strategies for high-profile projects.
• Corporate Coordination and Innovation: Collaborate with the regional communications network to contribute to priorities and campaigns. Champion innovative communication approaches, including digital storytelling and influencer engagement, to enhance reach and impact.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a relevant mix of education and experience, including a Master’s degree and at least 5 years of experience in communication, journalism, public affairs, international affairs, or related fields. Experience in an international environment and a deep understanding of international trends and political/economic issues related to development are essential. Knowledge of WBG operations and the ability to identify communications and reputation-related risks in an international context are also required. Candidates should demonstrate political awareness and the ability to manage sensitive situations diplomatically, as well as experience working with senior executives and managing reputational risks.

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

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, ideally in an international context. Experience working with government and public institutions, as well as knowledge of the CMU and its key actors, is highly desirable. The ability to analyze diverse information and think strategically is crucial for this role.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, and knowledge of another international or local language is considered a plus. Candidates should be able to write and edit complex communications products clearly and persuasively for various audiences.

Additional Notes:
This position is a local recruitment opportunity with a term duration of 4 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 opportunity for all employees regardless of gender, identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.