Role and Responsibilities

• The Principal Communications Officer and Lead for Northern Africa and the Horn of Africa, Eastern Africa and Southern Africa will be based in Nairobi, Kenya; will work closely with the Lead for Western and Central Africa, based in Dakar, Senegal; and  will report to the Regional Communications Manager, based in Paris, France.
• The Principal Communications Officer will be responsible for:
• Supervision and quality control:
• Lead, structure, and manage an agile team of communications professionals to ensure effective delivery of a robust work program across a region that is geographically diverse.
• Oversee the development of issue briefs, stakeholder engagement plans, talking points and Q&As, and reactive messaging/holding statements for both internal and external use. Ensure each product meet WBG’s quality standards.
• Ensure consistency and harmonization across communications in Africa, identifying opportunities for regional narratives and approaches, where appropriate.
• Role of trusted advisor for operational team:
• Build and nurture network of contacts with key audiences – media, corporate executives and business groups, civil society, academia, government agencies, World Bank and UN representatives.
• Provide strategic advice to the team and to internal clients on communications matters, leading efforts to identify/leverage opportunities for proactive, high-impact communications (reports, industry insights, multi-media packages, stories, notes, case studies, blogs) that helps positioning IFC/WBG and its projects with relevant audiences.
• Work collaboratively and maintain dialogue with IFC’s operational teams (Regional Vice Presidents, Directors and Managers) to ensure that communications activities always support business development.
• Actively participate in operational retreats and meetings to inform communications strategies.

Special duties Executive communications

• Serve as focal point for Regional Vice President’s communications: draft/review and sign off on communications materials for the RVP; actively explore opportunities to leverage the RVP’s voice to amplify IFC work and impact in the region; support the RVP’s internal engagement activities, including townhalls; serve as main liaison officer with the RVP’s Front Office; contribute from a communications perspective to strategic meetings and retreats convened by the RVP.
• Provide input and coordinate as needed to WBG counterparts while preparing high-level engagements and communications activities for WBG representatives
• Coordination and harmonization
• Implement and leverage relevant communications tools and work processes designed for the Communications and Outreach Department and the WBG Communications team.
• Actively participate in the regional management committee bringing together all regional leads under the leadership of the Regional Communications Manager.
• In collaboration with other communications units in IFC’s communications and outreach department the Principal Communications Officer will also be responsible for:
• Risk monitoring and mitigation:
• Follow up, in close coordination with relevant World Bank Group colleagues, on economic and social trends issues affecting business climate in the region. Provide insights to regional and communications management.
• Support risk identification and mitigation activities.
• Coordinate proactive and reactive effective stakeholder engagement and timely responses to questions and concerns.
• Advise specific internal and external stakeholders on managing responses in challenging circumstances.
• Corporate contributions:
• Contribute to the successful implementation of IFC’s overall Communications and Outreach strategy, ensuring that key themes of climate, gender, and private capital mobilization are reflected in Africa’s communications efforts.
• Actively support any mission or activity involving IFC’s Managing Director or management team in the region
• Coordinate with IFC’s Corporate Communications Unit on messaging, branding, and positioning.
• Actively explore joint communications opportunities with World Bank Group counterparts and support the Joint Country Representation initiative

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Business/Finance with 12-15 years of experience in corporate communications, international relations, government relations, public affairs, political science, or another related field.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills as a fluent speaker in English and French. Other languages a plus.
• Strong understanding of main regional business trends and previous experience in the region.
• Strategic-thinking and ability to design and execute ambitious campaigns positively impacting stakeholders’ perceptions.
• Ability to identify critical issues and turn them into concise messages for a variety of audiences.
• Understanding of IFC’s business model and private sector development issues and clear vision of how effective communications can support operational delivery. Understanding of WBG’s vision.
• Demonstrated media managements experience and ability to quickly activate or develop personal networks of contacts (including media, influencers, opinion leaders, corporate communications executives) if selected for the role.
• Experience in crisis communications and reputation management.
• Strong team and project management skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment to create a common purpose to help team members deliver at their best.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills to operate with tact and discretion when appropriate and successfully manage relations with senior management.
• WBG Core competencies: client orientation; drive for results; teamwork of collaboration and inclusion; knowledge, learning and communication; business judgement and analytical decision-making.