Communications Officer- Washington, DC

Job #:	130267
Title:	Communications Officer
Job Stream:	Communications
Location:	Washington, DC
Closing Date:	05/08/2013
Background / General description:
IFC’s Partnerships and Advisory Operations Department (CPA) has three primary functions: (1) managing relationships with donor partners and raising funds for the business; (2) building the operational infrastructure for Advisory Services by developing policies, procedures, and systems; and (3) strengthening staff capacity by developing and implementing onboarding and learning initiatives. In addition, the department houses the AS Controller function, overseeing financial business planning, forecasting, and corresponding analyses; and driving the development of financial management and budgeting standards, processes, and internal controls. Finally, the department convenes various networks whose effective functioning is central to the Advisory Services business (i.e., Portfolio Management Network, Partnership Practice Group, AS Finance Network) and manages the secretariat functions for various Advisory Services committees/councils (i.e., the AS Learning Council, the AS Business Process Improvement Committee). Much of the work that CPA leads is of a change management nature, for which communications is a key strategic tool central to effective implementation and stakeholder buy-in. CPA is seeking a Communications Officer to contribute to the design and implementation of the communications strategy for the Department overall, including for our change management activities. This will involve strategic communications planning, marketing efforts, writing and editorial work, and promoting major initiatives and the rollout of knowledge products in various areas. The position will be based in IFC’s office in Washington, DC. The Communications Officer will become a member of the AS communications team and of the global communications practice group. He/she will report to a Principal Operations Officer in CPA. He/she will also report to the Head of Communications for Advisory Services.
Duties and Accountabilities:
Operational Support for CPA Internal Communications (approximately 60%)  • Contribute to the development of business communications strategies for CPA’s units and CPA's change management projects to strengthen positioning of their services to clients across IFC and provide guidance and support on implementation. • Develop and implement communications strategies for various knowledge products being developed and rolled out and change initiatives taking place in various units of the department. • Manage CPA’s Monthly Update, providing staff and management with timely and easy-to-understand information about CPA operational support. • Upgrade and manage CPA’s online presence. • Prepare communications for staff. • Manage new departmental branding and its rollout. • Use communications to support the strengthening of a client-focused culture and to promote closer collaboration across CPA’s various units to deliver superb client service. Communications Support for IFC’s donor partner relations efforts (approximately 20%) • Provide strategic messages and a cohesive storyline to donor partners and their stakeholders, highlighting the impact they can achieve by partnering with IFC. • Manage IFC Impact, IFC’s donor newsletter. • Provide guidelines, tools, and advice to the global communications practice group on donor partner communications, including strategic messaging, visibility guidelines, and protocols for engagement with donor communications staff.  Overall AS Communications: contribute to the development of the AS communications sub-practice group (approximately 20%) • Coordinate Advisory Services Newsflash Plus submissions, the preparation of the monthly AS Digest, and the external AS website to ensure a thematic and results-based approach to storytelling aligned with IFC’s core corporate priorities.
Selection Criteria:
• Masters degree plus 5-8 years of professional experience in journalism, communications, or public relations.  • Expertise in providing communications services (strategy and roll-out) to support change management initiatives. • Knowledge and understanding of IFC’s Advisory Services work, procedures and practices is a plus. • Excellent oral and written communication skills; fluency in English. Able to convey complex ideas in a clear and direct style. • Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines with accuracy and professionalism. • Self-motivated, excellent organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple tasks, and ability to work with both internal and external constituencies and prioritize deliverables. • Excellent interpersonal skills with a willingness to work in a team environment.  • Experience producing for the web (for example, basic knowledge of HTML and Photoshop)/web design a plus. • Proficiency in social media campaigns desirable. Applications must be submitted online. Only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. Candidates can check the status of their applications by visiting www.ifc.org/careers.