External Affairs Officer

Job #: req35833
Organization: World Bank
Sector: Communications
Grade: GF
Term Duration:  3 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Washington, DC,United States
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 3/17/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Please visit www.worldbank.org.
External and Corporate Relations Vice-Presidency (ECR)
The mission of External and Corporate Relations (ECR) is to help deliver financial and political support for the World Bank Group, strengthen the Bank Group’s role as a global thought leader in development by enhancing and safeguarding its reputation, and supporting operational teams to achieve country outcomes. ECR manages corporate communications and global engagement with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, foundations, private sector, donor countries, and international organizations, as well as employee engagement. ECR also manages strategic communications for the World Bank’s Regions and Global Practices and leads the management of reputation risk.
ECR Communications and Marketing (ECRCM) 
Communications and Marketing at the World Bank Group is a unified, strategic organization representing all areas of the institution. Its mission is to deliver world-class communications and marketing leadership—driving clarity, creativity, innovation, and impact across every audience and channel. Through compelling storytelling, global brand stewardship, and data-driven engagement, the team advances the Bank Group’s vision of creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet. Together, we shape the institution’s voice, strengthen trust and reputation, and connect the World Bank Group’s work to people and partners around the world.
External Affairs Officer 
The External Affairs Officer will join the team’s operation at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, D.C. S/he will have experience in media relations, an established media network, excellent news judgement, and an understanding of international development issues. S/he will serve as a primary media relations focal point for members of the press, executing communications strategies and monitoring for reputational risk as it relates to media. S/he will also support media engagement in regional markets, as well as manage relationships with counterparts at key development partner agencies in various countries. This position requires an understanding of the global media landscape, an established media network in the United States, strong communications and advocacy experience (both written and spoken), with experience in markets outside the United States a plus. 
Responsibilities
The External Affairs Officer will be responsible for:
• Serving as a primary WB media relations focal point for members of the media, including designing and implementing effective media relations and media monitoring strategies. This also includes providing guidance on media relations issues and providing support for media outreach in regional and sectoral units. 
• Contributing to the development of communications plans for all major publication launches, key initiatives, and WB Senior Management visits to maximize well-informed media coverage in the US and relevant donor media markets.
• Preparing briefing materials for media and public engagements of Senior Management, including for visits.  
• Handling media requests, ensuring close collaboration with regional-based teams.
• Actively contributing to the planning, coordination, scheduling and logistics, often across multiple teams, for press briefings, roundtables, major conferences and seminars, public or broadcast appearances, and other communications-related activities sponsored by the World Bank. 
• Contributing to regular assessments of media-related reputational risk. Monitoring media reporting and communications output from CSOs and other key stakeholders, in collaboration with the Bank’s Global Engagement team, to identify potential risk issues at the earliest opportunity. Flagging risk issues to relevant internal teams, as appropriate. Contribute to the discussion and development of risk mitigation and management strategies.

Selection Criteria

Master’s degree and at least five years of professional experience in Communications, Political Science, Economics, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience with multilateral organizations, development, and/or international financial institutions preferred. 

• Proven track record of communications work, including strategic media management, combining traditional and digital strategies. 
• Contacts, experience and skill in managing high-level communications with the media. Relationships and experience in working with NGOs, government officials, international institutions, business groups, and other audiences critical to the Bank's work will also be highly valuable. 
• Proven ability to assess and identify reputational risk issues.
• Proven planning and organizational skills, ability to think strategically and translate into actionable communications. 
• Proven ability to work both independently and in diverse teams in a multicultural setting with strong attention to detail and minimal supervision.
• Strong interest in development issues, strategic communication, and multilateral cooperation/negotiation, with ability to disseminate information effectively and strategically, and strong capacity to think and act strategically. 
• Ability to interact with internal and external clients at all levels, and to exercise judgment, tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters.
• Ability to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results.  
• Excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills in English, with other languages a plus.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.