Corporate Communications/Public Affairs Officer (PAO)-14017065 at CITIBANK

Job Purpose:
A Public Affairs officer’s (PAO) principal role is to manage/protect Citi’s image and reputation with key internal/external stakeholders including local/international media, local communities, partners/ Non-Profit Organizations, clients and Citi staff.

Job Background:
The role of the PAO is franchise-wide, representing all businesses operating in the country whilst presenting a single and powerful voice for the company. The PAO supports the country CCO (Citi Country Officer) in preserving and enhancing the bank's image and reputation in the marketplace, and provides the businesses with strategic and focused communications counsel in support of their growth objectives. The functional areas typically covered by the PAO include media relations; internal communications; community affairs including charitable grants, NGO relationship management and employee volunteering; branding; advertising and coordination of events and sponsorships.

Key Responsibilities:
Carry out a comprehensive country communications plan, as agreed with the Head of Africa Public Affairs - including (but not limited to):
• Developing a comprehensive media relations strategy, and executing
• Driving Citi Foundation projects and programs locally
• Joint press conferences/release with community partners
• Intranet website and internal staff messages/newsletters
• Client Events and Conference Participations
• Lead social media activities from a Public Affairs perspective in country
• Manage Citi's perception in the media to ensure the bank is portrayed favorably, or at an absolute minimum, fairly. Ensure proper adherence by all staff  to Citi’s media policies
• Develop a comprehensive media relations strategy, including setting clear objectives, developing a strategy to achieve those objectives and tactics to implement the strategy
• Identify key spokespeople within our businesses and ensure they are fully prepared to represent Citi publicly
• now Citi’s key messages and ensure our spokespeople are well versed in them
• Identify key opinion leaders for our business in the media and build/develop strong, long-term relationships with these individuals
• Respond promptly and professionally to ad-hoc inquiries from journalists
• When appropriate, arrange and manage interviews for senior management or product experts
• Proactively seek positive media coverage
• Escalate potentially sensitive matters promptly with both local management and within the PA function
• Build a social media monitoring program and content pipeline in country, with support from the regional/global team

Brand & Marketing
• Analyze that market and then build local strategies to protect and enhance the Citi brand.
• Locally deliver regional and global brand activity in a way that is consistent but locally relevant.
• Take responsibility for the correct and consistent delivery of Citi’s visual brand in the local market.
• Pro-actively seek opportunities to further demonstrate Citi’s brand values in the local market.
• Manage and monitor community projects in partnership with local & regional NGOs and Citi Foundation. 

This includes:
• Develop and lead relationships with NGO partners including developing project proposals that maximize return on investment, supporting completion of quality applications and ensuring funded projects are delivered according to the agreed plan
• Liaise with NGO/Citi Foundation on specific issues pertaining to funded projects.
• Lead the volunteering efforts carried out in conjunction including volunteering through partnerships with Citi Foundation grantees and supporting regional Global Community Day plans and targets

Internal communications and events
• Develop and drive an in-country employee engagement and communication plan which integrates country needs with regional/global initiatives
• Edit in-house newsletters/magazines, case studies, speeches, articles, presentations, reports and other content
• Manage both internal and external Citi events
• Manage regular logs, reports, entries required periodically within the corporate communications chain
• Development Value:

Knowledge/Experience/Qualifications:
• Minimum of 10 years working experience of which 7 must have been in a relevant job area.
• University degree in PR/communications/journalism
• Masters degree will be an added advantage.
• Experience working in a Banking/Financial Institution/corporate/multi-national preferable.
• Previous experience of brand planning and media buying would be advantageous.
• Extensive Media contacts and relevant experience
• Courage to challenge decisions, providing reasoned arguments for doing so;
• Ambition – for self, team and company to grow and to succeed.
• Knowledge and understanding of investment banking would be advantageous but not essential
• Understanding of the complexities of large matrix organizations – understanding of the need to engage strongly with a wide range of internal stakeholders in varied geographic locations   
Skills and Competencies:
• Fluent in English (verbal and written) – strong communication skills;
• Broad experience of the varying disciplines within corporate communications – whether gained in an agency or principal;
• Strong personal presence, charisma
• Computer literacy – MS Office – intermediary level
• Flexibility
• Basic understanding of social media
• Assertive and have courage to challenge decisions, providing reasoned arguments for doing so;
• Ambition – for self, team and company to grow and to succeed – team player, results driven