Senior Communications Officer
Job #: req35504 | Organization: World Bank | Sector: Climate Change | Grade: GG | Term Duration: 2 years | Recruitment Type: International | Location: Washington, DC, United States | Required Language(s): English | Preferred Language(s): French | Closing Date: 2/19/2026
Overview The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
Climate change will greatly affect the poorest people in the world, who are often hardest hit by weather catastrophes, desertification, and rising sea levels and least able to respond. In some parts of the world, climate change has already contributed to worsening food security, reduced the predictable availability of fresh water, and exacerbated the spread of disease and other threats to human health.
Helping the most vulnerable countries and communities adapt to increasing challenges of climate change is an imperative for the international community, requiring significant resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Adaptation Fund is an innovative financing mechanism set up by the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with the purpose of financing concrete climate change adaptation projects and programs in developing country Parties. At the request of the COP, the GEF is providing secretariat services to the Adaptation Fund Board (the Board) on an interim basis, through a dedicated team. Since becoming fully operational in 2010, the Board has approved 160 projects and programs worth more than USD 1 billion in over 100 countries.
Launched under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC, the Adaptation Fund has been formally serving Paris Agreement since 2019.
The Adaptation Fund is implementing its second medium term strategy (2023-2027) that rests on the three pillars of adaptation action, innovation and learning/knowledge management.
The Adaptation Fund supports country-driven projects and programs, innovation, and global learning for effective adaptation. All of the Adaptation Fund’s activities are designed to build national and local adaptive capacities while reaching and engaging the most vulnerable groups, and to integrate gender consideration to provide equal opportunity to access and benefit from the Fund’s resources. They are also aimed at enhancing synergies with other sources of climate finance, while creating models that can be replicated or scaled up.
The Secretariat is recruiting a Senior Communications Officer who will be the Team Lead for the Adaptation Fund Secretariat’s Communications team and lead the communications and advocacy function of the Secretariat. The Senior Communications Officer reports to the Head of the Fund and will be a member of the Fund’s management team.
Responsibilities The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the following duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the Head of the Fund:
1. Communication Strategy and Execution
Develop, plan, and execute communication plans and strategies, including internal communications, relationship building, campaign management, media operations, publishing, and online/social marketing.
Engage the Head of the Fund and other Team Leads to facilitate content conceptualization, development, gathering, and clearance processes in informed discussions about the impact of Adaptation Fund operations on stakeholders, related risks, and mitigation strategies.
Lead research to identify and map key external stakeholders or audiences across the climate and development landscape, identifying those appropriate for priority relationship management.
Oversee a calendar and pipeline of diverse communications products, including developing new and innovative story ideas, concepts, and formats in line with the Adaptation Fund’s brand.
Provide editorial guidance and input to Adaptation Fund publications, ensuring coherence across publications in messaging, format, and quality standards.
Build the Adaptation Fund’s ecosystem of online platforms and act as editor across platforms to ensure high quality alignment with the Adaptation Fund’s strategic objectives and to maximize the Adaptation Fund’s brand impact.
Oversee the management and maintenance of the Adaptation Fund’s external web platforms, in particular the main corporate website.
Proactively support reputational risk management and manage risk and reputation by establishing and enforcing digital governance policies and procedures.
Stay up to date with the latest technology, tools, and trends in online management, monitor relevant partner websites, and develop new strategies to keep up with trends.
2. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
Develop and implement advocacy strategies and campaigns in line with Adaptation Fund goals and objectives.
Track and analyze key issues of importance to external stakeholders, advising the Head of the Fund and other Team Leads on policy issues, opportunities, and risks.
Engage with the Head of the Fund and other Team Leads to identify stakeholders, key messages, communication channels, messaging frequency, feedback mechanisms, and review processes to prioritize and support external engagements.
Oversee selective engagement in global and regional public policy fora to promote adaptation and the Adaptation Fund, and to ensure the Adaptation Fund stays abreast of climate policy developments and trends.
Identify and support opportunities to create and deepen partnerships around issues of mutual interest, leveraging new sources of funding, innovative ideas, and broader networks.
Formulate the Adaptation Fund’s messaging and public position on critical issues and represent the Adaptation Fund in various fora.
Make high-impact presentations on Adaptation Fund work and convey ideas effectively to multiple audiences, including to influence higher-level stakeholders.
3. Team Lead
Prepare and execute annual work plans and budgets for the communications team, in line with the Adaptation Fund’s MTS II strategy and to deliver the Adaptation Fund’s communications and advocacy strategy.
Supervise, coach, and support communication team members’ individual work plans, ensuring effective delivery of the communication team’s work plan and budget, and supporting team members’ professional development.
Work under pressure and guide team members in the delivery of their work within agreed timelines.
Foster a supportive work culture marked by collaboration, respect, and trust.
Qualifications
Master’s degree or higher in communications, public relations, journalism, or other relevant field with at least eight years of relevant experience.
Recognized as a credible partner providing in-depth technical expertise and strategic value through communications.
Extensive experience and success working in multicultural environments, speaking and writing clearly and effectively, adapting language, tone, style and message to diverse, multicultural audiences, internally and externally.
Skilled at communicating complex information in succinct and digestible ways and coaching others to develop this skill.
Extensive experience in planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring creative digital communications strategies, including expertise in crafting effective outreach to external audiences, leveraging the strengths and communications assets of the Adaptation Fund and partner organizations, and broad base of knowledge about trends in digital world.
Adept at managing communications with government and public institutions, CSOs, parliamentarians, think tanks, international institutions, business groups, and other audiences critical to the Adaptation Fund’s work, with strong political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations.
Deep knowledge of communications and external relations strategy, tactics, tools, and products, and extensive experience using them to achieve strategic objectives.
Extensive experience overseeing production of complex communications products of all types, including video production, writing and editing complex communications products.
Demonstrated expertise building and maintaining relationships with media outlets and journalists, managing reputational risks and ensuring clear and consistent messaging.
Understanding of, and sensitivity to, various stakeholder perspectives, interests and needs and their intersection with the Adaptation Fund’s goals and interests.
Expert ability to think and respond quickly and extemporaneously with tact and diplomacy, and to present a credible and convincing presence.
Ability to represent the Adaptation Fund and the full range of its activities and products to external stakeholders.
Excellent oral and written communications and editing skills; strong command of English; knowledge of French would be an advantage.
Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients, stakeholders and colleagues.
Willingness to travel internationally, including to visit projects in the field in developing countries, and to attend international meetings.
WBG Culture Attributes
Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
Benefits 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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 Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
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Job #: req35504 | Organization: World Bank | Sector: Climate Change | Grade: GG | Term Duration: 2 years | Recruitment Type: International | Location: Washington, DC, United States | Required Language(s): English | Preferred Language(s): French | Closing Date: 2/19/2026
Overview The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries, dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. 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. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
Climate change will greatly affect the poorest people in the world, who are often hardest hit by weather catastrophes, desertification, and rising sea levels and least able to respond. In some parts of the world, climate change has already contributed to worsening food security, reduced the predictable availability of fresh water, and exacerbated the spread of disease and other threats to human health.
Helping the most vulnerable countries and communities adapt to increasing challenges of climate change is an imperative for the international community, requiring significant resources to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Adaptation Fund is an innovative financing mechanism set up by the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with the purpose of financing concrete climate change adaptation projects and programs in developing country Parties. At the request of the COP, the GEF is providing secretariat services to the Adaptation Fund Board (the Board) on an interim basis, through a dedicated team. Since becoming fully operational in 2010, the Board has approved 160 projects and programs worth more than USD 1 billion in over 100 countries.
Launched under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC, the Adaptation Fund has been formally serving Paris Agreement since 2019.
The Adaptation Fund is implementing its second medium term strategy (2023-2027) that rests on the three pillars of adaptation action, innovation and learning/knowledge management.
The Adaptation Fund supports country-driven projects and programs, innovation, and global learning for effective adaptation. All of the Adaptation Fund’s activities are designed to build national and local adaptive capacities while reaching and engaging the most vulnerable groups, and to integrate gender consideration to provide equal opportunity to access and benefit from the Fund’s resources. They are also aimed at enhancing synergies with other sources of climate finance, while creating models that can be replicated or scaled up.
The Secretariat is recruiting a Senior Communications Officer who will be the Team Lead for the Adaptation Fund Secretariat’s Communications team and lead the communications and advocacy function of the Secretariat. The Senior Communications Officer reports to the Head of the Fund and will be a member of the Fund’s management team.
Responsibilities The successful candidate will be expected to carry out the following duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the Head of the Fund:
1. Communication Strategy and Execution
Develop, plan, and execute communication plans and strategies, including internal communications, relationship building, campaign management, media operations, publishing, and online/social marketing.
Engage the Head of the Fund and other Team Leads to facilitate content conceptualization, development, gathering, and clearance processes in informed discussions about the impact of Adaptation Fund operations on stakeholders, related risks, and mitigation strategies.
Lead research to identify and map key external stakeholders or audiences across the climate and development landscape, identifying those appropriate for priority relationship management.
Oversee a calendar and pipeline of diverse communications products, including developing new and innovative story ideas, concepts, and formats in line with the Adaptation Fund’s brand.
Provide editorial guidance and input to Adaptation Fund publications, ensuring coherence across publications in messaging, format, and quality standards.
Build the Adaptation Fund’s ecosystem of online platforms and act as editor across platforms to ensure high quality alignment with the Adaptation Fund’s strategic objectives and to maximize the Adaptation Fund’s brand impact.
Oversee the management and maintenance of the Adaptation Fund’s external web platforms, in particular the main corporate website.
Proactively support reputational risk management and manage risk and reputation by establishing and enforcing digital governance policies and procedures.
Stay up to date with the latest technology, tools, and trends in online management, monitor relevant partner websites, and develop new strategies to keep up with trends.
2. Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement
Develop and implement advocacy strategies and campaigns in line with Adaptation Fund goals and objectives.
Track and analyze key issues of importance to external stakeholders, advising the Head of the Fund and other Team Leads on policy issues, opportunities, and risks.
Engage with the Head of the Fund and other Team Leads to identify stakeholders, key messages, communication channels, messaging frequency, feedback mechanisms, and review processes to prioritize and support external engagements.
Oversee selective engagement in global and regional public policy fora to promote adaptation and the Adaptation Fund, and to ensure the Adaptation Fund stays abreast of climate policy developments and trends.
Identify and support opportunities to create and deepen partnerships around issues of mutual interest, leveraging new sources of funding, innovative ideas, and broader networks.
Formulate the Adaptation Fund’s messaging and public position on critical issues and represent the Adaptation Fund in various fora.
Make high-impact presentations on Adaptation Fund work and convey ideas effectively to multiple audiences, including to influence higher-level stakeholders.
3. Team Lead
Prepare and execute annual work plans and budgets for the communications team, in line with the Adaptation Fund’s MTS II strategy and to deliver the Adaptation Fund’s communications and advocacy strategy.
Supervise, coach, and support communication team members’ individual work plans, ensuring effective delivery of the communication team’s work plan and budget, and supporting team members’ professional development.
Work under pressure and guide team members in the delivery of their work within agreed timelines.
Foster a supportive work culture marked by collaboration, respect, and trust.
Qualifications
Master’s degree or higher in communications, public relations, journalism, or other relevant field with at least eight years of relevant experience.
Recognized as a credible partner providing in-depth technical expertise and strategic value through communications.
Extensive experience and success working in multicultural environments, speaking and writing clearly and effectively, adapting language, tone, style and message to diverse, multicultural audiences, internally and externally.
Skilled at communicating complex information in succinct and digestible ways and coaching others to develop this skill.
Extensive experience in planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring creative digital communications strategies, including expertise in crafting effective outreach to external audiences, leveraging the strengths and communications assets of the Adaptation Fund and partner organizations, and broad base of knowledge about trends in digital world.
Adept at managing communications with government and public institutions, CSOs, parliamentarians, think tanks, international institutions, business groups, and other audiences critical to the Adaptation Fund’s work, with strong political awareness and ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations.
Deep knowledge of communications and external relations strategy, tactics, tools, and products, and extensive experience using them to achieve strategic objectives.
Extensive experience overseeing production of complex communications products of all types, including video production, writing and editing complex communications products.
Demonstrated expertise building and maintaining relationships with media outlets and journalists, managing reputational risks and ensuring clear and consistent messaging.
Understanding of, and sensitivity to, various stakeholder perspectives, interests and needs and their intersection with the Adaptation Fund’s goals and interests.
Expert ability to think and respond quickly and extemporaneously with tact and diplomacy, and to present a credible and convincing presence.
Ability to represent the Adaptation Fund and the full range of its activities and products to external stakeholders.
Excellent oral and written communications and editing skills; strong command of English; knowledge of French would be an advantage.
Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients, stakeholders and colleagues.
Willingness to travel internationally, including to visit projects in the field in developing countries, and to attend international meetings.
WBG Culture Attributes
Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
Benefits 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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 Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
#J-18808-Ljbffr