Background / General description

The Consumer Solutions and Support unit in ISG (ISGSS) is responsible for consumer relations which incorporates start-to-end marketing and communications of ISG information technology and information management solutions in Washington, DC, and country offices.  ISGSS executes consumer oriented functions, including marketing communications, outreach, usability, client feedback management, metrics, user training, and market segmentation.

The ISG Communications Team is hosted in CSS/ISGSS. It implements a work program divided into two focus areas:
a) Internal Focus: The goal is to facilitate information flows within the WBG IT community to support harmonization, collaboration, and broad understanding of strategic priorities. It also includes promoting a culture of client orientation within the IT community with a view to branding the WBG IT group as effective and responsive.
b) External Focus: The goal is to communicate with users of IT services and products across the Bank to promote uptake and boost business productivity, while channeling user feedback and intelligence on needs and performance back to WBG IT members for action. 

The Senior Communications Officer is the head the Communications Team and is also in charge of all communications activities under the External Focus.  Having one lead in the communications team ensures consistency across both focus areas when it comes to roles, knowledge sharing, and messaging. As leader of the communications team s/he provides daily oversight to communications staff in ISG, and is involved in the planning, clearances, and standards of all ISG communications products and services, regardless of the audience they target.  S/he reports to the ISGSS Manager. 

The successful candidate should have a proven track record of achieving results through communications and be a leader in the field of communications innovation (using websites, blogs, email marketing, electronic newsletters, branding, etc.) S/he should posses a sharp analytical mind, excellent writing skills, and excellent judgment.

Duties and Accountabilities

• Support the efforts of the ISGSS Manager to ensure that the communications objectives of the Office of the World Bank Group CIO are met.
• Effectively assist senior managers in assessing the authorizing environment for achieving their underlying objectives, and enhance senior managers' operational effectiveness in dealing with external constituencies important to the unit's objectives and to the World Bank at large.
• Take the lead in communications strategy and work program development for ISG's communications team, including designing diverse and highly complex communication campaigns and audience segmentation and anticipating critical communications needs.
• Prepare and/or oversee the preparation of major communications products, including briefings and speeches for the Bank Group CIO and ISG management.
• Establish, refine, and maintain processes and standards to ensure effective, consistent, coherent, and timely communications that support the strategic and customer service objectives of IT@WBG.
• Liaise with IT teams in regions and networks to facilitate implementation of the communications strategy. Liaise with the communication teams in the Office of Information Security and in the IFC IT Department to ensure coordination.
• Coach other communications staff in ISG tasked with developing and monitoring high visibility communications plans and activities that requires the coordination of multiple teams, equipment, facilities and other resources.
• Coordinate with ISG teams to ensure consistent and timely communications with consumers of ISG products and services across the Bank to maximize opportunities and address obstacles to product rollouts early on.
• Coordinate with the Bank's internal communications team to help ensure ISG messaging and strategy is consistent with the communications objectives of the institution.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify mechanisms to collect feedback on clients' experiences regarding services provided by ISG with a view to clarify priorities, user expectations, and needs.
• Introduce innovative ways to communicate with users, aiming to promote the uptake of IT products and services by targeting specific business needs (i.e. virtual team collaboration, knowledge management and dissemination, etc.)
• Identify best practices from outside the Bank regarding internal communications activities that directly support corporate IT strategies.

Selection Criteria

• Masters degree in journalism, communications, or marketing, plus a minimum of 8 years work experience in journalism, media relations, public relations, or stakeholder engagement or a BA/BS and a minimum of 13 years' relevant experience.
• State-of-the-art knowledge in field of communications and public affairs, and ability to address a range of issues related to the Bank's business. Expert command of strategy development, communications resource management, and measurement of communications impact.
• Ample knowledge of latest technologies supporting communications efforts including websites, blogs, customer relationship management applications, e-mail marketing tools, contacts management, widgets, and other communications innovations.
• Highly developed oral and written communications skills and ability to persuasively present and defend issues/positions.
• Knowledge of ISG clients and experience working in World Bank operational units is a significant plus.
• Exceptional ability to write, communicate, and operate under pressure and tight deadlines with accuracy and professionalism.
• Ability to lead a team of communications professionals in the execution of major campaigns, strategies and programs; ability to coach, mentor and develop more junior staff.
• Self-motivated, excellent organizational skills, and ability to work with both internal and external constituencies.
• Sound knowledge of disciplines relevant to development work (e.g., economics, banking, finance or other relevant field).
• In-depth understanding of the Bank, its policies and operations.
• Ability to effectively assist senior managers in assessing the authorizing environment for achieving their underlying objectives, and enhance senior managers' operational effectiveness in dealing with external constituencies important to the unit's objectives and to the World Bank at large.

The World Bank Group is committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background.  Individuals with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.  All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

SOURCE: ONLINE JOB WEBSITE 3/10/09
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