The World Bank (New Delhi, India)

02/02/2016

Company description:

The World Bank has a large and diverse development partnership with India, comprising a program of lending to government for development purposes and a program of analytical, advisory and knowledge support. The history of the partnership goes back over 60 years and India is the Bank’s largest client. The World Bank is looking to appoint a Communications Officer in its New Delhi Office to assist in planning and implementation of the Bank’s communication and engagement program in India, and to support the South Asia regional management in the delivery of its operational program. 

Job Profile/Description:

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
• The Communications Officer will assist the New Delhi External Affairs team, under supervision of the Sr. External Affairs Officer (team supervisor), in planning and implementing the Bank’s overall external relations strategy, identified in consultation with the country management unit, and in the design, implementation and monitoring of specifically targeted plans which underpin the overarching communication and governance goals.
• Support the Bank’s India program and broader institutional objectives, and ensure its on-ground implementation. This includes: delivering high quality communication results around specific issues and events of relevance to the Bank’s work in coordination with other business units, across the country.
• The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining and expanding the Bank’s engagement with media under supervision of the Sr. EAO, and the overall guidance from the South Asia Senior Communications Manager and the India Country Director. The candidate is expected to take the lead in achieving a higher level of planned visibility and ensuring that the Bank’s knowledge and perspective is carried in all leading development stories/features. This will also require conceptualizing special initiatives with media on specific development priorities of the Bank.
• The Candidate will be responsible for creatively communicating/showcasing the benefits of the Bank’s operations in India covering: 1) the results on the ground of Bank supported projects; 2) its knowledge products and sector specialists; 3) its role in introducing innovations and supporting transformative initiatives. This will include tapping advocacy opportunities with key partners.
• Assist in ensuring quality of External Affairs’ databases and administrative processes.
• Prepare, or support preparation of, communication products such as press releases, newsletters, brochures, briefs, audio-video products, web material, posters, etc as well as briefings and speeches for senior management.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Media relations / public information and partnership role
• Develop and manage professional relationships with key media and non media external constituencies (civil societies, think tanks and opinion leaders, private sector, project stake holders and the youth). Media relationship management, including regular interactions, effective information flow and knowledge dissemination and reputation risk management will be the central role of this position.
• Develop effective information sharing and dialogue platforms and products to raise awareness of the Bank's activities and build strong external partnerships for the Bank. This will include exploring, identifying and implementing advocacy initiatives aimed at enhancing understanding of the Bank’s messages and strengthening relations with key partners. Building strong internal linkages with sector teams working in the country office will be essential.
• Determine the type of communication outreach activities best suited to address target audiences, including, but not limited to holding public consultations, access to information and open data workshops, dissemination brochures, press releases, and newsletters.
• Devise a program to disseminate information and build partnerships in state capitals of strategic relevance, including setting up of World Bank public information kiosks. This will include supporting the CMU and the Delhi EXT team by conceptualizing and implementing outreach for effectively engaging with a range of development partners in India including the NGOs, private sector, and others
• Develop substantive working or functional knowledge of the Bank’s Access to Information management procedures and practices as well as familiarity with the open data policy. Demonstrate strong understanding of the risks and opportunities resulting from increased access to information and more substantial engagement with stakeholders; understanding is sufficient to provide advice to internal groups on this matter. Advise the country management unit, task team leaders, and other colleagues on matters relating to the AI policy including clarity and completeness of contents, release mechanism, and appropriate clearances.
• Support, monitor and evaluate the work of the Public Information Assistant assigned to the country public information office.