E T Consultant

Job #: req37145
Organization: World Bank Group
Sector: External Affairs & Corporate Relations
Grade: EC1
Term Duration:  1 year 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Rome,Italy
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): Italian, French
Closing Date: 6/26/2026 (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.
BACKGROUND
The World Bank Group (WBG) works with member countries to help improve people's lives and achieve shared prosperity through lending as well as analytical and advisory services. The WBG Communications and External Affairs (CER) Vice-Presidency supports the World Bank Group’s mission by building political and financial support, strengthening reputation and thought leadership, and advancing engagement with a wide range of stakeholders including governments, international organizations, civil society, media, and the private sector. 
The CER Southern Europe Office (CEREU-Rome) is a WBG Joint Country Representation. It manages the relationship between the WBG and Southern European countries (Italy, Portugal, Spain, and, to a lesser extent, Cyprus, Malta and Greece), as well as with the United Nations organizations based in Rome (Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and World Food Programme). The office also works in close coordination with the WBG New York and Geneva Offices  to support engagement with multilateral partners including the broader UN system, WTO, and other international organizations.
The team is responsible for analysis and advice to CER leadership, WBG Senior Management and technical teams on relationships, development priorities and the overall authorizing environment in those countries and across key multilateral platforms in Rome. This includes maintaining strong engagement with relevant authorities and stakeholders, staying abreast of political and institutional developments, and implementing multi-constituency outreach programs as well as developing new forms of engagement in development cooperation.
Specifically, the multilateral and country dialogue aims to:
• Increase the financial, political, institutional, and intellectual support for the WBG’s work and corporate priorities, including IDA. 
• Promote dialogue and partnerships with donor counterparts, multilateral institutions, and WBG management and technical teams around development policies and programs. 
• Ensure coordination, alignment of objectives and synergies between donor outreach activities, multilateral engagement, and World Bank operations. 
• Coordinate institutional dialogue and partnerships between the WBG and Rome-based United Nations organizations, in close collaboration with relevant units and Global Practices. 
• Enhance WBG visibility through events, multilateral engagement, and targeted communications. 
CEREU-Rome is seeking an extended-term External Affairs Consultant to support the corporate dialogue and day-to-day engagement with the Rome-based UN organizations: the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). 
The consultant will also produce a variety of high-quality materials under tight deadlines, including talking points, remarks, messaging, and other communications products. This includes generating original content, editing and polishing material produced by colleagues across the WBG, and ensuring all products are consistent with corporate voice and priorities.
The External Affairs Consultant will be based in Europe and will report to the Special Representative to the UN and Head of Multilateral Affairs, who will oversee the Consultant’s work in coordination with the Rome-based Special Representative who heads the Rome Office and the Farming and Agribusiness Lead in the Rome Office. The consultancy is expected to be full-time for a year.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The External Affairs Consultant is expected to execute the following tasks under the supervision of CEREU-Rome Special Representative in coordination with the Special Representative to the UN and Head of Multilateral Affairs (as regards engagement with UN Rome Based Agencies):
• Support the development, management and implementation of a strategic engagement workplan for multilateral affairs in Rome, with a focus on the Rome-Based Agencies, under the overarching Multilateral Affairs Strategy.
• Coordinate and support the institutional-level dialogue and partnerships with Rome-based UN organizations (FAO, IFAD, WFP), including both strategic and technical engagement, working closely with members of the Planet/Agriculture teams in Rome. 
• Support CER Multilateral team in advancing WBG engagement with the broader UN system and other multilateral actors, including through coordinated inputs and joint workstreams with the New York and Geneva Multilateral Affairs team. 
• Monitor and analyze policy, governance, and institutional developments across Rome-based agencies and assess implications for WBG engagement. 
• Identify and pursue opportunities to deepen and expand partnerships with multilateral institutions in Rome, including through joint initiatives, knowledge work, and operational collaboration. 
• Support the coordination and positioning of joint platforms and initiatives, including Agri Connect, Water Forward and other partnerships linking WBG and Rome-based multilateral actors, working closely with the relevant technical teams. 
• Support the positioning of the WBG in international fora and multilateral processes, including UN-related engagements, global summits, and thematic platforms. 
• Provide advice on multilateral engagement context and institutional dynamics relevant to the WBG’s authorizing environment in Rome. 
• Draft briefs for senior management in advance of multilateral engagements, including bilateral meetings, governing body sessions, and major events. 
• Support coordination between WBG Global Practices, IFC, and MIGA and multilateral counterparts in Rome to ensure alignment and consistency of engagement. 
• Collaborate with CER communications colleagues to strengthen the narrative and positioning of the WBG in multilateral spaces. 
• Build support for WBG priorities through targeted engagement with Rome-Based multilateral stakeholders, including technical meetings, events, and outreach activities. 
• Support the organization of high-level meetings, roundtables, and events with Rome-based agencies. 
• Track relevant multilateral processes, contributions, and engagement trends in Rome. 
• Support CEREU-Rome Special Representative with team coordination and other team needs such as drafting and copy-editing. 
• When required, cover multilateral engagements at technical level on behalf of the CEREU-Rome Special Representative in multilateral engagements . 
The consultant will also execute the following tasks under the supervision of the CEREU-Rome  Special Representative, and work with other CER teams as needed to:
• Write, edit, and revise talking points and remarks for senior management. 
• Liaise with other communications professionals and staff from across the WBG to gather content as needed. 
• Provide editorial guidance around visits, campaigns, and events. 
• Provide cross-support to other communications teams to ensure consistency of voice and style. 
• Liaise with other World Bank Group institutions, including IFC and MIGA, to ensure key communications are aligned with World Bank Group messaging and editorial standards. 

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree or equivalent and a minimum of 2 years relevant professional experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Good knowledge of the United Nations system, particularly the Rome-Based Agencies. 
• Demonstrated experience in multilateral engagement, stakeholder coordination, and partnership development. 
• Broad-based understanding of issues in agriculture and food systems transformation  and demonstrated experience in creating content relevant to the agriculture and/or rural development sector.
• Understanding of the political and institutional dynamics of multilateral organizations and their relevance to the WBG’s authorizing environment. 
• Experience cultivating and managing relationships and developing partnerships that expand the reach and impact of the World Bank Group. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and exceptional ability to write, edit, communicate, and operate under pressure and tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy and professionalism. 
• Knowledge of digital platforms, including social media, and the ability to present data and ideas effectively. 
• Internal network across the WBG and demonstrated ability to work effectively across units and Vice Presidencies. 
• Solid understanding of the World Bank Group’s processes, structure and priorities. 
• Strong research and analytical skills. 
• Excellent organizational, planning and coordination skills. 
• Ability and willingness to work effectively under pressure, as part of a small team. 
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to deal tactfully and diplomatically with internal and external clients at all levels. 
• Computer proficiency and familiarity with Outlook, MS Office Suite (Excel and PowerPoint), and web-based research tools. 
• Knowledge of Italian and/or French is highly desirable.

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

As per WBG policy, an Extended Term (ET) appointment is subject to a lifetime maximum of three (3) years. Former and current ET staff who have completed or are in the process of completing their third-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments.

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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