Senior Communications and External Relations Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Bank Group (WBG) is a prominent global partnership consisting of five institutions dedicated to addressing extreme poverty, enhancing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. Established with 189 member countries and over 120 offices worldwide, the WBG collaborates with both public and private sector partners to invest in innovative projects and leverage data, research, and technology to tackle pressing global challenges. The organization is committed to fostering economic growth and improving living standards in developing countries, making it one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge in this sector. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

Job Overview:
The Senior Communications and External Relations Officer position at the World Bank Group is a critical role that supports the communications efforts for the Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay country programs. This position combines strategic advisory responsibilities with hands-on delivery, requiring the successful candidate to work closely with the communications teams in these countries. The officer will play a vital role in developing and implementing integrated communications strategies that align with the World Bank Group's objectives. The role demands a high level of political awareness, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with various stakeholders. The officer will be responsible for translating complex development issues into compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, thereby advancing the priorities of the World Bank Group in the region. The position also involves collaborating with operational teams and colleagues across different institutions within the World Bank Group to ensure a cohesive 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 with government, private sector, development partners, civil society, academia, media, and youth. Build high-level partnerships to expand WBG influence and support reform momentum. Provide authoritative advice on engagement strategies and political dynamics. Serve as a 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 reform solutions. Proactively identify and manage stakeholder-driven issues that may pose reputational risks for the World Bank Group.
• Strategic Business Marketing: Position the WBG as a strategic partner in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay by 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 marketing suite of products, including client testimonials and success stories, to inform outreach to prospects and partners.
• Advocacy and Campaigns: Design and roll out high-visibility advocacy campaigns that mobilize stakeholders around reform priorities and WBG-supported initiatives. Ensure consistent messaging across all channels and oversee the production of speeches, op-eds, press releases, and multimedia content. Strengthen the capacity of the country office to deliver impactful campaigns and digital storytelling.
• Risk and Issue Management: Anticipate and assess emerging political or reputational risks, providing timely advice on risk exposure and response options. Maintain reputational risk reports and lead mitigation strategies for sensitive operations and high-profile issues.
• Corporate Coordination and Innovation: Drive efforts towards a unified WBG narrative and leverage cross-institutional opportunities. Mentor junior staff and contribute to strengthening capacity across the regional communications network.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Senior Communications and External Relations Officer position should possess a Master’s degree along with at least 8 years of relevant experience in communication, journalism, public affairs, or international affairs. Candidates should have experience working in an international environment and possess in-depth knowledge of political and economic issues related to development in the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. Familiarity with WBG operations in LAC is essential, as is the ability to identify communications and reputation-related risks and opportunities. The candidate should demonstrate political awareness and the ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations, as well as experience working with senior executives. Excellent English and Spanish language skills are mandatory, with proficiency in writing and editing complex communications products. Strong organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and a collaborative working style are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as communication, journalism, public affairs, international affairs, or related fields. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to excel in the role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 8 years of experience in communications or related fields, with a proven track record of working in international environments. Experience in the LAC region, particularly in Argentina, is highly desirable. The candidate should have a deep understanding of local political and economic contexts and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes effectively.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Spanish is mandatory for this position, as the candidate will be required to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and produce high-quality communications materials in both languages. Proficiency in additional languages would be considered a plus, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders.

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 opportunities for all candidates regardless of gender, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.