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. Visit www.worldbank.org.

About the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a family of funds dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health. Its grants, blended financing, and policy support help developing countries address their biggest environmental priorities and adhere to international environmental conventions. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $25 billion and mobilized $145 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 national and regional projects.

The GEF unites 186 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives.  An independently operating financial organization, the GEF is a financial mechanism for six multilateral conventions: the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.

In 2023, the GEF established the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) in response to decisions taken at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The GBFF is part of the GEF family of funds and has its own governance arrangements and project cycle that differ from other GEF funds. In June 2023, the GEF Council approved the arrangements to establish the GBFF and its Programming Directions. The GBFF establishment decision was ratified at the seventh GEF Assembly in August 2023, and the fund was launched.  The first GBFF Council was held in February 2024.   In June 2024, the second GBFF Council approved the first GBFF Work Program, amounting to $37.8 million.

The GEF Secretariat is seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior External Relations Officer to manage GBFF communications and outreach.

The ideal candidate should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, experience of biodiversity and development issues, along with political acumen and the capacity to work effectively on sensitive issues with senior management, the GBFF Council and across different agencies of the GEF partnership.

S/he will be responsible for raising the profile and visibility of the GBFF, particularly in support of GBFF resource mobilization and partnership building.

The selected candidate will be responsible for developing and executing a communications strategy for the GBFF, using a range of tools to bolster public and stakeholder awareness about the fund, and its support for developing countries to address their commitments and contributions towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The candidate selected for this position will be a part of the Communications and Outreach (GEFCO) unit and have a dual reporting line to the GEF Head of Communications and the GEF Head of the Conventions and Funds Division.

Duties and Accountabilities

Under the joint supervision of the [GEF Head of Communications and the GEF Head of Conventions and Funds Division], the Senior External Relations Officer will have the following duties:

1.Contribute to the implementation of the GBFF, including its resource mobilization, outreach, and visibility, in line with the agreed GBFF policies and strategies, decisions by the GBFF Council, and relevant CBD COP guidance
2.Develop and execute a communications strategy for the GBFF, aimed at increasing visibility of the fund and the projects it supports;
3.Engage in donor relations activities as requested, and support political outreach in international fora, in particular the CBD and related processes,
4.Support preparations of the GBFF Council meetings and other major events such as CBD COPs, including preparation of Council documents, other background materials, engagement plans and relevant communication materials;
5.Draft and edit relevant speeches, talking points, and briefing notes on the GBFF and biodiversity for use by senior management;
6.Create and maintain a pipeline of editorial content related to GBFF activities, events, resource mobilization, planned programs and projects, including press releases, stories, videos, and social media posts;
7.Developing strong working relationships with communications teams at the CBD, other relevant funds, and among GBFF partners, and other stakeholders;
8.Produce donor-focused communications products about the GBFF highlighting countries’ contributions and opportunities to support the fund;
9.Contribute content for the monthly GEF newsletter related to the GBFF.
10.Work with the GEF communications team to explore co-branding and other visibility options for the GBFF.

Selection Criteria

• The successful candidate must have an advanced university degree, or equivalent, in communications, journalism/media, public relations, international relations, languages, or a related field, supplemented by a minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience.   Alternatively, a university degree, or equivalent, and ten (10) years of relevant professional experience are required.
• Experience in international journalism with an understanding of the media landscape in developing countries is required.
• Proven writing and editing skills, with a strong command of English and an ability to integrate complex information into clear and cogent messages.  Other languages (e.g., Spanish and/or French) in addition to English are an advantage.
• Strong interpersonal, networking, and social skills, with a team orientation.
• Well-organized, self-motivated, and highly efficient, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in high pressure situations.
• High standards of professional excellence and integrity.

WBG Core Competencies

Achieves results and identifies mission-driven solutions for the client 
• Develops and implements solutions that show understanding of how clients and/or own work achieves results that are financially, environmentally and socially sustainable
• Shares new insights based on in-depth understanding of the client and recommends solutions for current and future needs of clients
• Holds self and team accountable for risk management and outcomes.

Initiates collaboration across boundaries and broadly across WBG, and brings differing ideas into the forefront 
•Collaborates across organizational boundaries, internally and externally with a sense of mutuality and respect
• Consistently engages others in open dialogue, brings out any conflicting viewpoints and incorporates viewpoints into solutions, giving credit where credit is due. Leverages expertise of all team members to ensure successful outcomes
• Makes choices and sets priorities with a WBG corporate perspective in mind

Develops innovative solutions with others 
• Encourages and works with others to identify, incubate and implement relevant solutions
• Identifies opportunities in changing circumstances and energizes others to continuously improve, using intentional strategies to boost morale, team spirit, and productivity in context of WBG’s values and mission
• Helps others to understand problems, client needs and the underlying context

Creates, applies and shares knowledge from across and outside WBG to strengthen internal and/or external client solutions 
• Ensures systematic sharing of good practice and learning from lessons from across WBG, clients, and partners
• Is known across WBG in their subject area and is sought out by WBG colleagues to advise, peer review, or contribute to knowledge products of others
• Seeks mentoring opportunities with more experienced staff to deepen or strengthen their professional knowledge and mentors junior staff
• Builds networks across the WBG and as part of external professional groups/networks

Recommends and takes decisive action 
• Applies critical thinking and seeks inputs and experience from others to recommend a course of action consistent with the WBG’s strategy
• Evaluates risk and anticipates the short- and long-term implications of decisions
• Commits to a decision and acts once it has been reached

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.