World Bank Zambia Job: Communications Associate

The World Bank’s strategy to help end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity in Africa takes shape across an array of programs tailored to the circumstances and needs of each country. Working with governments and other partners, the Bank is supporting delivery of basic services, extending safety nets, ensuring food security, strengthening small farmers, and helping Ebola-affected countries recover. Investments in human capacity and in strengthened institutions underlie many of the development strategies.

Africa’s recently robust growth rates are slowing due to lower international prices for oil and other commodities on which a number of countries depend. Meanwhile, stability and security concerns shape the Bank’s work in eighteen countries categorized as Fragile and Conflict-affected States (FCS), where programs aim to accelerate state rebuilding and lower economic disparities among regions and groups.

In Zambia, the Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2013 – 2016 supports three objectives: reducing poverty and vulnerability by stimulating agricultural productivity and promoting agro-businesses; improving competitiveness through infrastructure investment and business-oriented regulatory reforms; and strengthening governance and economic management. A portfolio of 16 Bank-financed operations represent net commitments of approximately US$800 million, with other arms of the World Bank Group extending additional commitments that bring the total to US$975 million.

Africa External Communications and Partnerships (AFREC) employs an extended team of professionals in World Bank Headquarters and across country offices to support the overarching goal of advancing inclusive growth in Africa. AFREC uses the full array of communications tools and methodologies to build awareness and understanding, and mobilize support for development goals. Work programs cover dissemination through traditional and online media, relationship building, analysis of political and project risk, and design of programs to manage those risks. A strategic renewal within AFREC emphasizes closer alignment with operations in the region, and coordination with the Bank’s External and Corporate Relations network, to ensure that AFREC services are critical to regional and corporate priorities, and that they employ state-of-the art communications tools to disseminate information, build understanding, and connect the Bank to a variety of actors involved in poverty reduction and development.

Recognizing that Africa’s economic and social context is rapidly changing, and that communications technologies have revolutionized the ways that information travels, AFREC is building a team of dynamic and innovative professionals prepared to use traditional and digital tools, including social media and multi-media production, to shape the debate on development priorities and trade-offs.

The Communications Associate will be based in the Bank Office in Lusaka, establishing a communications program that supports the Bank’s growing presence in Zambia. The Associate will work closely with operational teams to design a communication program that supports the development strategy, minimizing risks through information programs and stakeholder engagement. S/he will be responsible for core communications functions in Zambia, including press releases, web features and web updates, organization of civil society gatherings and structured dialogues, and media relations. The Communications Associate will also support corporate communications priorities, including dissemination of World Bank flagship publications and support for senior management visits and for the Bank’s Annual and Spring meetings.

The Communications Associate will be part of the larger AFREC team, interacting regularly with colleagues in Headquarters and in other field offices. A willingness to share knowledge, draw on expertise and help create a supportive work environment is critical. The Communications Associate will report to the Communications Manager based in Washington, D.C.

Note: If the selected candidate is a current Bank Group staff member with a regular or Open-Ended appointment, s/he will retain his/her regular or Open-Ended appointment. All others will be offered a 2 year term appointment.

Job title: Communications Associate
Duties and Accountabilities:

As a developing professional, the Communications Associate participates in the design and implementation of effective communications and outreach strategies. S/he helps develop, execute, and monitor the impact of communications activities related to the WBG’s work.

• Strategies: Works with AFREC colleagues, and operational teams, to plan, design, and implement strategies that promote effective communications with external and internal audiences. Works independently on routine tasks, calling in guidance and support on more complex projects
• Relationships: Identifies key opinion leaders and influential organizations in Zambia and acts as a liaison to stakeholder and citizen groups, arranging regular updates and dialogues on the Bank’s projects and knowledge products
• Risk management: On high-risk operations in the country, must monitor perceptions, track shifts in opinion, and respond to inquiries, while publishing and updating key facts about project goals and milestones. Must be able to interact with operations staff and project teams, organizing meetings with media and civil society as appropriate. Must be able to take the pulse of the country and advise country teams, with analyses on the political economy, especially during election years, and regular monitoring of the media
• Products: Responsible for regular contributions to a country and regional dissemination strategy—using web-based and traditional platforms —to build understanding of the Bank’s operational goals and results, and its key research and knowledge products. Must be capable of clear, direct expression in written work. Must be capable of adhering to an editorial calendar, producing press releases, web features and website updates according to World Bank standards and within required timelines. Responsible for updating the World Bank’s internal and external websites for the country
• Events: Coordinates briefings, press conferences, structured dialogues for external or internal audiences

Selection Criteria:

Minimum Education/Experience:

Typical candidates will possess a relevant Master’s degree in Communications, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, Political Science or related disciplines with 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required competencies

• Communication Strategy and Execution: Must be able to identify key stakeholders affected by Bank-supported projects and help design and carry out strategies to reach and engage them through the full range of communications tools. Executes content production and dissemination plans, arranges briefings and dialogues, builds and maintain relationships
• Client Understanding and Advising: Understands client needs and perspectives, and functions as an effective liaison between stakeholder groups and operational teams
• Content Development and Editing: Drafts or edits routine communication products for internal and external audiences with limited supervision, coordinates more complex material for management review. Can prepare content for dissemination according to WBG standards for structure, form and style
• Social Media, Information Channels, and Communication Tools Awareness: Demonstrates working knowledge of the full array of current communication tools, including social media, multi-media production and other online tools
• Access to Information Policy: Understands the WBG’s Access to Information Policy and can employ information management procedures and practices
• Relationship Management, Political Awareness and Diplomacy: Helps to initiate and maintain relationships with internal and/or external constituencies, understanding the needs and perspectives of various stakeholders
• Lead and Innovate: Applies critical thinking to current approaches, identifying areas for improvement. Is aware of WBG’s values and mission; modifies behaviours to support them. Must operate comfortably with shifting needs, ambiguity
• Collaborates within teams and Across Boundaries: Works well in widely dispersed teams. Keeps others fully informed, maintaining a sense of mutuality and respect. Approaches conflicts as common problems to be solved. Frames thinking/actions with a WBG corporate perspective in mind.
• Create, Apply and Share Knowledge: Contributes to AFREC’s body of knowledge by applying lessons learned and sharing solutions to common challenges
• Makes Smart Decisions: Bases decisions on fact-based analysis, taking into account past experience and future risks. Contributes to team decisions by bringing the same rigor

Closing date: 23 September 2015