IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — 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. Our mission is to leverage the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity on a livable planet.
IFC is recruiting a Senior Communications Officer to lead the external and internal communications for IFC’s Partnerships and Blended Finance operations. The chosen candidate will be responsible for increasing the visibility of Partnerships and Blended Finance operations using strategic communications.
The Senior Communications Officer will work very closely with the leadership and staff of the Partnerships & Blended Finance Department (CBF) within the Economics and Private Sector Development Vice Presidency. The CBF Department secures and deploys externally raised funds to support the delivery of IFC’s priority areas and develops and maintains strategic relationships with development partners. Such partners include sovereigns, multilateral agencies, financial intermediaries and other global funds, family foundations, and philanthropies. The position will report to a Manager in the Communications department and be based in IFC headquarters in Washington DC.
Roles and Responsibilities
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and seasoned communications professional to lead the planning, development, and implementation of communications and outreach strategies to key IFC partners. Specific aspects of the role include but are not limited to:
Strategic Communications Planning:
• With Partnerships & Blended Finance’s leadership, co-create a communications strategy for the department’s operations.
• Design and deliver communications and outreach products and campaigns focused on IFC’s Partnerships and Blended Finance operations, including notable outcomes of IFC’s partnerships with existing and new sovereign donors and private sector clients.
• Formulate communications to support fundraising among new and existing donors and establish a process for systematically providing partners with IFC messaging and materials and soliciting feedback.
• Lead the development and drafting of impact stories on projects supported by contributing partners and design and execute an outreach program demonstrating the impact of donor financing, specifically Blended Finance.
• Position Partnerships and Blended Finance outcomes at the forefront of IFC’s narrative and help sharpen IFC’s pitch around the benefits and the business rationale for partnering with IFC.
• Conceptualize communications campaigns to accompany fundraising pitches to key donors, both existing and new.
Tactical Communications Implementation:
• Develop/highlight compelling stories on partnerships and blended finance in IFC’s communications (including web, social media, publications, presentations, multimedia clips, etc.).
• Ensure that IFC’s press releases and other communications products on projects feature the blended finance co-investment, where applicable.
• Update guidelines and protocols to maximize partner visibility and ensure that IFC is implementing these guidelines and protocols to promote partner visibility.
Internal Communications:
• Develop an internal communications campaign to familiarize staff with the value of the work covered by the Partnerships and Blended Finance teams.
• Develop and maintain communications tools for the Partnerships and Blended Finance Department (PowerPoint presentations, website, leave-behind brochures, story narratives).
• Support in refining the communications/messaging section of briefing documents for senior management.
Networks:
• Serve as the World Bank Group’s liaison for IFC Partnerships and Blended Finance communications and build strong relationships with heads of communications/social media teams at key partners.
• Tap into partners’ resources/networks to amplify IFC content and widen IFC’s reach.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and tools to measure the impact of donor/ contributor communications as part of IFC’s monitoring and evaluation framework for communications.
Risk Management:
• Identify risks and outline mitigation measures in the context of corporate and operational communications that involve IFC’s partners.
• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, political science, international relations, public affairs, marketing, business, finance, or another related field with 10 or more years of experience
• State-of-the art knowledge of strategic communications and an ability to address issues related to the Partnerships and Blended Finance Department, including leading highly visible and sensitive assignments with a solid understanding of IFC’s target audiences.
• Prior experience managing communications for partnerships or fundraising initiatives, blended finance operations and drafting impact stories to showcase value-add to existing and prospective partners.
• Experience in emerging markets and with philanthropies a plus.
• Highly developed verbal and written communications skills, with the ability to craft strategic messages and convey complex messages simply, succinctly, and diplomatically.
• Self-motivated, creative, excellent organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple communications tasks, often under tight deadlines.
• Experience coaching team members as well as senior management in delivering messages to a variety of constituents, including on challenging topics.
• Track record of anticipating risks and challenges and leading strategies to counteract them.
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively, with a willingness to assist others and the team achieve their goals.
• Strong cultural and political sensitivity.
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