The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is undergoing a transformation in its economy and society towards the achievement of its Vision 2030, a long-term plan to expand the economy and reduce its dependency on oil revenues. Key pillars of Vision 2030 include diversifying the economy, enhancing the private sector role, investing in strategic sectors such as tourism and entertainment, empowering Saudi youth, and fostering innovation and technological advancement. At the same time, the World Bank Group (WBG) is reigniting its role as a Knowledge Bank by renewing and strengthening its global knowledge role in view of the ongoing data and technological revolution. In its reinvented role, the World Bank Group strives to take knowledge to a new level and place it front and center, with the emphasis on ending poverty on a livable planet.

In December 2024, the World Bank Group and the Government of KSA signed a partnership agreement to establish a WBG-Saudi Arabia Knowledge Hub (K-Hub). The K-Hub will act as a platform to facilitate the generation, dissemination and exchange of specialized knowledge and good economic practices.  It will act as a vehicle through which KSA can share its experience in areas of expertise within the neighboring regions and more globally, while also benefitting from the experience of other countries in areas of strategic relevance. The aim is to offer centralized access to information in focus themes, transferring countries’ successful reforms, fostering innovative ideas, supporting evidence-based policymaking, and improving the effectiveness of development efforts across areas of focus. It will also provide a centralized effort for capacity building in key technical skills. serving as a platform for knowledge generation and exchange.  The WBG has established similar hubs in many countries, for example in Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea, among others. The WBG-Saudi Arabia K-Hub has a global outreach, with focus on particular regions depending on the country’s priorities. Regions of particular interest in the initial phases of its establishment are the MENA region and Africa. The Steering Committee, which is set to meet regularly, will determine and review priorities.

The K-Hub is a WBG initiative, led by IBRD and building on its expertise in establishing similar platforms, with endorsement and participation from the International Financial Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). As such, it builds on the institution’s global positioning to ensure visibility of KSA's success areas, and benefit from other countries' experience to inform and inspire KSA’s transformational journey.

The K-Hub will start with an initial focus on two overarching themes, Competitiveness and Diversification, which will have a range of more focused sub-themes, agreed upon with the Saudi counterparts. As seen in other WBG hubs, these can naturally expand over time to include other relevant themes, or even other pillars. The following four sub-themes have been selected for the first phase of the knowledge hub program: (i) Business Environment Reforms; (ii) Innovation Policy and Quality Infrastructure; (iii) Productivity Growth and Firm Capabilities; (iv) Exports Diversification, Trade Policy and Trade Facilitation; (v) Cross Cutting Theme: Data Modernization (Quality, Availability/Access).
 
Communication Officer for the K-Hub 

The World Bank is seeking a dynamic communications professional to take on a wide range of communication activities in support of the K-Hub work in Saudi Arabic.   The Communication Officer will be part of the K hub team, reporting to the Division Director, with an indirect report to the External Affairs Manager for the region, working in close collaboration and coordination with staff in the wider regional external affairs department and in alignment with regional and corporate communication strategies.  The Communication Officer should be skilled across a range of communication functionals with abilities to work across projects and teams in a multicultural and multinational working environment.

Duties and Accountabilities

  • Working closely with the K-Hub team, plan, design, execute communications strategies, activities, and campaigns to support delivery of the Hub’s business objectives. 
  • Prepare high quality routine and complex outreach products, writing and packaging materials (e.g. press releases, stories, social media, newsletters, presentations, op eds, talking points) that promote the strategic and timely flow of information about the K Hub. Create engaging multimedia packages as part of this.
  • Work with the Hub manager and staff to maximize opportunities to promote and disseminate K-Hub activities, products and analytical work and capacity building initiatives produced by the Hub programs.  Initiate campaigns and key initiatives; proactively identify communications opportunities for the K-Hub and build a strong pipeline of materials for the communications calendar.
  • Manage media relations for the K Hub, responding to queries, pitching stories, staff interviews, and arranging press briefings. 
  • Create timely and compelling content for online and social media channels.
  • Nurture and maintain strategic relations with key external stakeholders. Forge strategic partnerships to improve dialogue and outreach and to promote a better understanding of the K Hub.
  • Support program teams on communications for K-Hub events and high level international events, with strategic outreach, promotion and products to maximize impact.
  • Monitor and advise K-Hub teams on trends, news, or changing/unexpected circumstances that may impact K-Hub and its work and help determine strategic responses. 
  • Work closely with the Saudi government entities and other key external partners to help position the K-Hub on competitiveness and diversification issues
  • Identify, procure and manage external consultants and vendors providing communications support to CIF, such as video producers, photographers, graphic designers, and writers as required.
  • Maintain regular coordination and collaboration with the region’s external affairs department and align with regional and corporate communication guidance and strategies.
  • Ensure timely management of website content and materials in line with World Bank data management policies and procedures.
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