Senior Communications Officer

Job Description

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 2023, IFC committed a record US$43.7 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises.

Are you passionate about having an impact on people’s lives and contributing to solving some of the world’s greatest development challenges? Do you believe that the private sector can provide practical and efficient responses to South America’s most pressing issues and play a vital role in generating growth and jobs to drive down poverty and improve the quality of life for people? Then consider this opportunity.

We are looking for a Senior Communications Officer to join our Regional Communications team covering South America (excluding Colombia). Responsibilities focus on developing and executing communications strategies, in line with business priorities agreed for each market, with a strong focus on Brazil. The right candidate will be highly organized, able to lead, and a good team player. He/she will work towards being a trusted advisor for the LAC Vice President’s office the Regional Director and the Country Managers. He/she is expected to travel, including in difficult markets where security issues might appear, as needed to effectively perform his/her role.

The Senior Communications Officer will be an integral member of the Regional Communications Unit’s Extended Leadership Team. The Regional Communications Unit is part of the Communications and Outreach Department and works closely with the Corporate and Industry communications units and Reputational Risk and Issues management team to advance business development and communicate IFC’s impact in four regions of coverage. Regional Communications Officers engage with IFC’s stakeholders – companies and businesses, development partners, civil society, and others, to promote projects that showcase IFC’s leadership and innovation as the premier partner of choice for the private sector in emerging and developing economies. The Regional Communications Unit also collaborates regularly with counterparts within the World Bank Group.

Responsibilities:

The Senior Communications Officer South America will be based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and will report to the Manager for Regional Communications based in Paris, France. He/she will work closely with the Senior Communications Officer and Lead for Central America, Colombia, Mexico and the Caribbean.

The Senior Communications Officer South America will be responsible for:

Advice and strategic networking:

Build / nurture network of contacts with key audiences – media, corporate executives, civil society, academia, government agencies, the World Bank Group and other international organizations as needed.
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, etc.) that helps position IFC and its projects with relevant audiences.
Work collaboratively and maintain dialogue with IFC’s operational teams (Vice-president/Regional Directors and Country Managers) to ensure that communications activities always support business development.

Messaging, products and events:

Conceptualize and supervise the preparation, production, and dissemination of communication products (e.g., feature stories, news releases, op-eds, blog posts, speeches, presentations, briefing notes, online and social media content, etc.) and thought leadership pieces.
Write and/or oversee preparation of high-profile speeches, issue briefs, talking points, op-eds, and presentations, and Q&As, reactive messaging/holding statements, etc. for both internal and external use, as well as client-facing collaterals and internal staff engagement content. Ensure each product meets IFC’s quality standards.
Oversee planning, coordination, and logistics, often across multiple operational and communications teams, for IFC-organized conferences and seminars, executive missions and speaking engagements, public or broadcast appearances, press briefings, and other communications-related activities involving external and/or internal audiences.

Coordination and harmonization:

• Lead and manage an agile team of communications professionals to ensure effective delivery of a robust work program across the region.
• Implement/leverage in countries covered relevant Communications tools and work processes designed for the Communications and Outreach department.

In collaboration with other communications units in IFC’s communications and outreach department the Senior Communications Officer will also be responsible for:

Risk monitoring and mitigation:

Support risk identification and mitigation activities in the context of regional and operational communication interventions Coordinate proactively and reactively with Reputational Risk and Issue Management unit and Industry communications unit to ensure effective stakeholder engagement and timely response to questions and concerns.
Advise specific internal and external stakeholders on managing responses in challenging circumstances.
Provide political economy analysis for relevant countries. Focus includes current events, public opinion, social or political issues, and other external or internal developments related to Brazil and South America.

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 LAC communications efforts.
Actively support any mission or activity involving IFC’s Managing Director.
Coordinate with IFC’s Corporate Communications unit on messaging, branding, and positioning.

Content coordination, with Industry communications unit:

Reflect relevant content from other units when appropriate in regional narratives and ensure that regional content is understood and well reflected in corporate and/or industry messaging.
Disseminate relevant content developed by other units when appropriate, especially papers and research pieces led by the global industry and cross-cutting themes communications unit; coordinate the dissemination of regional research pieces.

Selection Criteria:

Master’s degree in communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Business/Finance with 12 years of experience in corporate communications, international relations, public affairs, political science, or other related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong verbal and written communications skills as a fluent speaker in Portuguese and English. Fluency in Spanish is highly desirable.
Ability to identify critical topics, trends, and issues and turn them into clear and concise talking points, speeches, briefs, op-eds, blogs, short features, and social media posts that appeal to 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.
Strong understanding of main regional business trends and geopolitical context in the region covered.
Previous communications experience as senior communications executive in the private sector in the LAC region, especially in the biggest markets in South America.
Demonstrated media relations experience and ability to quickly activate or develop own networks of contacts (including: media, influencers, opinion leaders, corporate communications executives, etc.) if selected for the role; demonstrated networking abilities with key audiences to help opening new doors and business opportunities for IFC.
Experience in sensitive communications and reputation management.
Strong team and project management skills; ability to create a common purpose to help team members deliver at their best.
Demonstrated experience in working in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
Able to think strategically and rapidly analyze and synthetize diverse information from varied sources and able to learn, adapt, and to be innovative and think out of the box as new communications challenges arise.
Excellent organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple tasks independently, adjust to priorities and achieving results and meet agreed objectives and within sometimes very tight deadlines across various time zones.
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.