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Home > Jobs > Employment Opportuni... > Professional/Technical

The Maghreb Country Department of the World Bank serves 5 client countries (Algeria, Libya, Malta, Morocco, Tunisia).  There are longstanding lending and knowledge service programs in Morocco and Tunisia and active reimbursable technical services program in Algeria and Libya.  The Department’s strategy is to provide cutting edge lending and knowledge services to its clients.  The department has country offices in Algiers, Rabat and Tunis.  The department’s existing portfolio is US$1.25billion (about 28 projects); the annual lending program is about US0.5 billion; and there is a substantial program of analytical work and other knowledge services.  The department has 3 communications staff overseen by the Senior Communications Officer, who are jointly responsible for supporting the regional and departmental management teams with all aspects of the external affairs and communications program.

Duties and Accountabilities

The Sr. Communication officer will lead the communications program for the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya) under the management and direction of the Headquarters (Washington DC, US) based External Affairs Manager and of  the Country Director for the Maghreb.

Key accountabilities include:

•	Takes the lead in developing communication strategies for each of the Maghreb countries in line with the Country Partnership Strategies or Country Assistance Strategies.  These strategies incorporate corporate and regional communication priorities as appropriate.  

•	Leads, coordinates and mentors Maghreb External Affairs team work in close collaboration with Maghreb Department and Country Managers.

•	Develops communication and outreach plans for high impact, visibility individual World Bank operations and activities.

•	Contributes to the formulation of the Bank's public position on critical issues and executes communication campaigns of special significance to the Bank's image.

•	Advises on crisis communications plans, and develops anticipatory positions on upcoming communications/public relations issues and executes World Bank response in coordination with Country Managers. 

•	In close coordination with the Country Managers, serves as principal liaison officer to major stakeholders (media organizations, journalists and chief editors, government officials, parliamentarians, opinion leaders, civil society groups, academics, banking and private sector groups and federations) on Bank business and development topics.

•	Prepares or oversees preparation of major communications products, including media briefs, briefings and speeches for management, brochures etc. and supports Bank management visits to the Maghreb.

•	Oversees maintenance of Maghreb language web sites (French and Arabic) and produces a Maghreb newsletter in collaboration with External Affairs country teams.

Selection Criteria

•	MA/MS (In Communications, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, or other related field) plus 8 years of relevant experience in communications field or BA/BS and a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience.

•	Substantial and diverse experience in all facets of communications and public affairs, and proven ability to conceptualize, design and implement major campaigns, strategies or programs.

•	Good knowledge of the political economy of the Maghreb countries, principal development issues and of developments related to priority sectors for Bank work (employment, education, water etc).  
Understanding of the Bank, its policies and operations a plus.

•	Sound knowledge of disciplines relevant to development work (participatory approaches, economics, outreach and knowledge sharing etc) 

•	Ability to support managers with the assessment of the political climate for achieving the Bank’s underlying objectives, with addressing issues related to the Bank's business and development, with managing external constituencies, and to take the lead on implementing responses as required.

•	Demonstrated political awareness, diplomatic and interpersonal skills required for cultivating effective client relationships/partnerships. 

•	 Strong oral and written communications skills and persuasive ability.

•	Ability to operate effectively in a matrix management environment, both as a team leader and team member.

•	Ability to lead a team of professionals in the planning and execution of communication programs and to coach, mentor and develop junior staff.

•	Ability to operate in a multi-cultural environment

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