Position description
Build a career with impact. Working at the World Bank Group (WBG) provides a unique opportunity to help countries solve their greatest development challenges. As one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, the WBG is a unique partnership of five global institutions dedicated to ending poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, the WBG works 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.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, IFC committed a record $71.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions, and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
IFC is looking for a skilled media relations practitioner to join IFC’s Corporate Communication team. Working seamlessly across the World Bank Group, engaging with the media is a key component of IFC’s overall communications strategy, ensuring strong public understanding of IFC’s work and elevating IFC’s brand, shaping our message on key corporate priorities, and supporting IFC’s partnerships with clients and stakeholders. The team’s media relations tasks encompass both daily engagement and outreach. The team works to identify and secure opportunities in both top tier traditional press and with industry influencers to raise awareness about IFC’s work and highlight IFC as a leader in private sector investment in emerging markets.
The chosen candidate will play a key role in the development of IFC’s reactive and proactive media outreach, in support of the World Bank Group’s media approach.
The Communications Officer will be based in Washington, DC.
Key Responsibilities:
• Media Strategy Development: Design and implement a comprehensive financial media engagement strategy aligned with organizational objectives.
• Proactive and Reactive Media Relations: Work closely with WBG colleagues to manage media relations initiatives, focusing on cultivating relationships - particularly with broadcast media outlets.
• Media Inquiries: Address questions and inquiries from the press, particularly from top-tier financial media. Work closely with the IFC multimedia studio team on live and recorded broadcast media interviews in the studio.
• Media Materials Development: Develop media-related materials, including press releases, pitches, talking points, Q&As, and reactive messaging/holding statements for external use. In addition, develop compelling stories for media that highlight IFC’s work, leveraging case studies, field visits, and project results.
• Executive Media Positioning: Position and prepare IFC senior leadership for media opportunities.
• Press Events Management: Assist in planning and overseeing IFC press events, including media/journalist roundtables and press conferences, with a focus on financial media.
• Engage with non-traditional broadcast media like streaming services, social media platforms and podcasts.
• Story Pitching: Develop and proactively pitch story ideas for the institution and senior leadership, securing interview opportunities and managing the interview process, including the development of pre-interview briefs/messaging/coaching.
• Issue Briefs and Research: Coordinate and develop issue briefs and research materials for major IFC flagship events and convenings (e.g., IMF/World Bank Group Annual Meetings).
• Risk Management: Analyze IFC risk issues and, in coordination with IFC’s Risk and Public Affairs team and World Bank Group counterparts, develop strategies and programs to mitigate risks and ensure accurate communications with the media.
• Issue Management – Assist in managing media inquiries on key issues, ensuring timely and appropriate responses to strengthen IFC’s reputation.
• Actively advancing the integrated approach to communications across the World Bank Group, working seamlessly with colleagues in MIGA and World Bank media teams.
Selection Criteria
• Educational Background: Master’s degree in communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Business/Finance, or a related field, with 5+ years of experience in corporate communications, international relations, public affairs, or a related field.
• Strategic Thinker: Big picture thinker with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, while effectively maintaining attention to detail.
• Communication Skills: Excellent writing, editing, and research skills, with the ability to quickly produce quality, engaging, and crisp documents and presentations.
• Media Engagement Expertise: Strong knowledge of and practical experience in communications planning and implementation, including opinion research, media engagement, message targeting, and marketing communication.
• Financial Media Experience: Demonstrated experience presenting to and interacting with members of top-tier financial media, executive leaders, and a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Analytical Skills: Solid conceptual, research, and analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and rapidly synthesize information from varied sources into concise conclusions and recommendations.
• Team Player: Demonstrated willingness to assist others and perform tasks necessary to help the team achieve its goals.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to deal sensitively in a multi-cultural environment and build effective working relationships with clients and colleagues.
• Initiative and Judgment: High levels of initiative, judgment, and decisiveness in accomplishing tasks; proven ability to work independently; good time-management skills and an eye for detail; ability to work effectively under stress and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines.
• Interest in International Development: Interest in international development issues and an understanding of how communications can assist key audiences in meeting challenges.
• Diplomatic Skills: Strong diplomatic, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
Application instructions
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