Jobs and Careers

JOB DESCRIPTION : 

The World Bank Armenia Country Office is seeking an experienced and dynamic communications professional who will work across all areas and instruments of the Armenia country programs to share knowledge, build partnerships, promote key dimensions of these programs, and “market” the results of the programs to audiences.
The core functions of the External Affairs Officer will be externally facing, focusing on key external audiences, including media, government officials, academics, business leaders, civil society organizations, and internal audiences. He/ she will lead in the design and implementation of communications and outreach strategies directed at both internal and external audiences and in the implementation of customized approaches appropriate to Armenia and as part of the World Bank’s overall engagement strategy across the South Caucuses. He/ she is responsible for building stakeholder engagement across a wide swath of partners in the country and within the international development community. He/ she will also advise the country management team on reputational risk issues, political environment and the corresponding World Bank positioning.

RESPONSIBILITIES : 

The External Affairs Officer’s major responsibilities will include, but are not limited, to the following:
Political and Public Opinion Analysis and Speechwriting
- Advise RMT, CMUs on alignment of country communications with global and corporate communication priorities and messaging;
- Monitor and analyze current events and public and press opinion in Armenia and provide regular updates to the Country Manager and country team;
- Analyze and assess the current political economy and operating environment vis-à-vis World Bank operations and standing within the country;
- Provide real-time insight and analysis of ongoing political developments, changes, and potential outcomes, including advice on how to effectively intervene in complicated political environments;
- Prepare speeches and provide advice to the Country Manager, including through briefings on political trends, news developments, public opinion, and changing/ unexpected circumstances that may impact the Bank and its work in Armenia.

Reputational Risk Management
- Actively explore and identify reputational risk issues that may impact the World Bank’s work in Armenia;
- Draft and develop appropriate messaging and holding statements to guide the CD/CM/TTLs vis-à-vis the media and the relevant stakeholders;
- Provide general advice to CD/CM/TTLs on navigating client relations/ responses during a crisis.

Strategy Formulation in Print/ Social Media, Implementation and Monitoring
- Design, develop, and execute a communication strategy utilizing print, online and social media for the Armenia Country Office that will promote the innovations and results in Armenia’s program across the World Bank Group, capitalizing on the critical lending sectors. Ensure the strategy is aligned with corporate priorities, demonstrates Bank impact, and anticipates reputational risk issues. Follow through with fully implementing detailed communications plans, while monitoring and evaluating its impact and effectiveness;
- Articulate an implementable communications strategy with clear short- and medium-term action plans that promote a positive image of Armenia and the Bank’s programs/ activities, while advocating on key strategic issues (e.g., green growth, social inclusion, inclusive growth, etc.). Selectively invest limited time and resources to create communications efforts of highest impact on key audiences, advising management of the need to revise as priorities and circumstances warrant;
- Formulate a strategic framework for social media to better position the World Bank’s Armenia program and its key advocacy campaigns within the country and with key partners; execute the strategy with a sustainable maintenance plan that strengthens the program within social media;
- Guide on risks of digital engagement in line with corporate standards.

Support to Operations:
- Actively seek out strategic communications opportunities within the country program to promote the Bank’s results in Armenia both internally and externally;
- Provide regular communications support to operations with the guidance and support of the ECA communications team in Washington. Determine the types of information and communications strategies, tools and activities that are best suited to addressing issues under the Bank’s access to information policy and according to specific reputational risks;
- Prepare communications packages: write/ disseminate both routine and specific products (e.g., news releases, backgrounders, speeches, communication briefing notes, tweets, Facebook posts, etc.) to promote the strategic and timely flow of information and key messages about the Bank Group in Armenia, its policies and operations to key internal and external audiences;
- Effectively use online and social media in the context of the communications strategy and maintain Armenia country office websites and social media channels.

External Relations:
- Initiate and sustain effective professional relationships with key external constituencies (particularly, Civil Society, NGOs, academia, and private sector). Identify opportunities for and forge strategic partnerships outside the Bank to improve dialogue and outreach and to strengthen the Bank's overall effectiveness and image. Enhance public outreach through partnerships with civil society, universities, student associations, foundations, private sector, including joint seminars and other outreach events by working closely with other communications colleagues;
- Identify, facilitate, and maintain key stakeholder engagement with a cross-section of local and international partners, including with the government, the media, CSOs, academia, the international development community, and others.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS : 

- Master's degree with 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in Communications, Public Relations, International Development or a related field;
- Excellent command of verbal and written English and Armenian languages; working knowledge of Russian language would be a plus;
- Communication Strategy and Execution for Development: Independently develops a coherent communications strategy and plans to support their implementation for complex projects and programs. Uses feedback to improve work in communications and operations. Contributes to the development of expertise in this competency in others;
- Social Media, Information Channels, and Communication Tools Awareness: Modifies communication strategies to leverage existing or new communication tools or media. Leverages WBG's Knowledge Management products to establish knowledge sharing partnerships internally. Contributes to others' development in this competency;
- Access to Information Policy: Uses WBG's Access to Information Policy when consulting on the development, design, and delivery of communications products. Demonstrates in-depth proficiency sufficient to develop others in this competency;
- Content Development and Editing: Takes full responsibility for the development of communications content. Ensures the development of communications products to the WBG standard. Contributes to the development of expertise in this competency in others;
- Relationship Management, Political Awareness and Diplomacy: Strategizes, plans, and implements the development and maintenance of relationships with critical internal and/ or external constituencies. Systematically maintains and leverages high-level communication networks within key constituencies;
- Client Understanding and Advising: Looks at issues from the client’s perspective and advocates for clients within own area so others focus on meeting client needs;
- Broad Business Thinking: Maintains an in-depth understanding of the long-term implications of decisions, both for related areas within the VPU and the client’s business. Involves key players in identifying operating needs, issues, and immediate solutions;
- Lead and Innovate: Develops innovative solutions;
- Deliver Results for Clients: Proactively addresses clients’ stated and unstated needs;
- Collaborate within Teams and Across Boundaries: Collaborates across boundaries, gives own perspective, and willingly remains open to and receives diverse perspectives;
- Create, Apply, and Share Knowledge: Applies knowledge across WBG to strengthen solutions for internal and/or external clients;
- Make Smart Decisions: Interprets a wide range of information and pushes to move forward;
- Shareholder and Stakeholder Engagement: Analyzes and provides advice on Shareholder and Stakeholder engagement;
- Ability to work effectively under stress; ability to prioritize and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines;
- Excellent computer skills; ability to use standard Bank technology packages, e.g., Word, Sharepoint, Microsoft Outlook PowerPoint, Internet, Excel, HTML, etc.;
- Strong client focus: Sound judgment and ability to evaluate client needs, suggest innovative approaches and follow up to implement;
- Demonstrated willingness to receive and learn from feedback and adjust to a rapidly-changing environment with evolving priorities;
- Ability to prioritize, work well under pressure and capably handle/juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines;
- Ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources into key messages tailored to target audiences.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES : 

Qualified candidates are welcome to send their CV and Motivation Letter in English language to: https://worldbankgroup.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?id=20313&site=1.

Please clearly mention in your application letter that you learned of this job opportunity through Career Center and mention the URL of its website - www.careercenter.am, Thanks.

ADDITIONAL NOTES : 

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.
The Organization is proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and does not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Note: If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Regular or Open-Ended appointment, they will retain their Regular or Open-Ended appointment. If the selected candidate is a current World Bank Group Staff Member with a Term appointment that expires later than the end date of this appointment, they will retain the duration of their current Term appointment

ABOUT : 

Armenia’s economy has shown resilience to recent shocks thanks largely to prudent macroeconomic management - a flexible exchange rate, active inflation targeting regime, effective fiscal rule - and a sound financial sector. Although the economy has performed better than anticipated earlier in 2022, geopolitical challenges continue to weigh on Armenia’s medium-term growth prospects. Shortly after independence in 1991, Armenia became a member of the World Bank in 1992 and joined IDA in 1993. Since then, over three decades of close cooperation, Armenia has experienced a remarkable economic performance and experienced a sevenfold increase in its GPD per capita. In 2014, Armenia successfully graduated from IDA to IBRD as a recipient country and became an Upper Middle-Income economy in 2019. Despite these many achievements, however, Armenia’s economy continues to face structural challenges, such as the need for further improvement in the business and investment environment, high unemployment, lingering labor skills mismatches, and weak firm competitiveness. The External Affairs officer is an integral part of the Armenia country team, carrying out strategic advising and public affairs management function in the country. Reporting to the ECA Communications Manager and as part of the ECR broader community, the External Affairs Officer shall work independently within the structure of the World Bank External Affairs family, seeking guidance from management, proactively collaborating with operational staff and other members of the country team, and building partnerships with internal colleagues from around the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region, the Global Practices (GP)s and other areas of the institutions.