Overview
The Senior External Affairs Officer will lead the design and implementation of a communications and stakeholder engagement program in Mozambique, aligning with operational priorities and the WBG’s country strategy. The role aims to position the WBG as a partner of choice and strengthen development results.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design and execution of a strategic stakeholder engagement plan.
- Build high-level partnerships.
- Provide advice on engagement strategies, political dynamics, and stakeholder risks.
- Serve as the senior liaison with national and subnational organizations.
- Convene dialogues and public forums.
- Lead proactive two-way communications.
- Proactively identify, assess, and elevate stakeholder-driven issues.
- Position the WBG as a strategic partner.
- Develop high-impact communications strategies.
- Develop and manage a suite of marketing products.
- Identify and elevate flagship projects, reform milestones, and success stories.
- Lead engagement with communications counterparts in WBG private sector arms.
- Lead the design and rollout of high-visibility advocacy campaigns.
- Coordinate participation in regional and global advocacy efforts.
- Proactively profile the impact of the World Bank Group’s support.
- Ensure consistent, selective, and strategically targeted messaging.
- Oversee production of speeches, op-eds, press releases, talking points, and multimedia content.
- Translate complex policy and technical concepts into compelling narratives.
- Strengthen the country office’s capacity to deliver impactful campaigns and digital storytelling.
- Anticipate, identify, and assess emerging political or reputational risks.
- Provide timely, senior-level advice on risk exposure, positioning, and response options.
- Maintain and contribute to weekly reputational risk report.
- Develop issue notes, one-minute briefs, scenario plans and other materials.
- Lead mitigation strategies for sensitive operations and high-profile issues.
- Serve as the primary point of contact with ECR’s regional and corporate risk teams.
- Provide analysis on political developments.
- Facilitate political economy briefings.
- Guide media engagement and manage high-stakes inquiries.
- Review key corporate documents for messaging, stakeholder issues, and reputational risk.
- Lead efforts towards a unified WBG narrative.
- Maintain understanding of IBRD, IDA, IFC and MIGA operations.
- Drive innovation in communications.
- Represent the region in global ECR initiatives.
- Mentor and supervise junior staff.
- Support ECR management efforts to drive integration of communications function.
Required Experience
- Master’s degree with 8 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant discipline (communication, journalism, public affairs, international affairs, or other related fields).
- Experience working in an international environment and in-depth knowledge of international trends and political/economic issues related to development.
- Knowledge of and experience working in Mozambique, in government and/or public institutions, or other entities - private sector, business associations, CSOs, think tanks and other key local actors.
- An understanding of WBG operations; up-to-date knowledge of current development topics and issues.
- Demonstrated political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations.
- Experience working with senior executives including experience of managing reputational risks and issues, messaging, stakeholder engagement, and media engagement.
- Established network of media, government and broader stakeholder relationships in the region, or demonstrated ability to quickly build and maintain trusted relationships.
- Demonstrated experience managing communications vendors and service providers.
Qualifications
Master’s degree with 8 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant discipline (communication, journalism, public affairs, international affairs, or other related fields).
