External Affairs Officer

External Affairs Officer

Job #: req
35833 Organization:
World Bank Sector:
Communications Grade: GF Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type:
International Recruitment

Location:

Washington, DC, United States Required Language(s):
English Preferred Language(s):
Closing Date: 3/17/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development.

With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work 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. Please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

The mission of External and Corporate Relations (ECR) is to help deliver financial and political support for the World Bank Group, strengthen the Bank Group’s role as a global thought leader in development by enhancing and safeguarding its reputation, and supporting operational teams to achieve country outcomes. ECR manages corporate communications and global engagement with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, foundations, private sector, donor countries, and international organizations, as well as employee engagement.

ECR also manages strategic communications for the World Bank’s Regions and Global Practices and leads the management of reputation risk.

Communications and Marketing at the World Bank Group is a unified, strategic organization representing all areas of the institution. Its mission is to deliver world-class communications and marketing leadership—driving clarity, creativity, innovation, and impact across every audience and channel. Through compelling storytelling, global brand stewardship, and data-driven engagement, the team advances the Bank Group’s vision of creating a world free of poverty on a livable planet.

Together, we shape the institution’s voice, strengthen trust and reputation, and connect the World Bank Group’s work to people and partners around the world.

The External Affairs Officer will join the team’s operation at the World Bank Group headquarters in Washington, DC. S/he will have experience in media relations, an established media network, excellent news judgement, and an understanding of international development issues. S/he will serve as a primary media relations focal point for members of the press, executing communications strategies and monitoring for reputational risk as it relates to media.

S/he will also support media engagement in regional markets, as well as manage relationships with counterparts at key development partner agencies in various countries. This position requires an understanding of the global media landscape, an established media network in the United States, strong communications and advocacy experience (both written and spoken), with experience in markets outside the United States a plus.

• Serving as a primary WB media relations focal point for members of the media, including designing and implementing effective media relations and media monitoring strategies. This also includes providing guidance on media relations issues and providing support for media outreach in regional and sectoral units.
• Contributing to the development of communications plans for all major publication launches, key initiatives, and WB Senior Management visits to maximize well-informed media coverage in the US and relevant donor media markets.
• Preparing briefing materials for media and public engagements of Senior Management, including for visits.
• Handling media requests, ensuring close collaboration with regional-based teams.
• Actively contributing to the planning, coordination,…