E T Consultant - Nigeria Communication Consultant at International Finance Corporation (IFC)

• Are you passionate about having an impact on people’s lives and contributing to solving some of the world’s greatest development challenges? Do you believe that the private sector can provide practical and efficient responses to Africa’s most pressing issues, and generate growth and jobs to drive down poverty and improve the quality of life for people? Then consider this opportunity.
• We are looking to hire an External Term Consultant to join our Regional Communications team, implement our communications strategy and develop content for Nigeria, with flexibility to support other countries/sub-regions as needed. The right candidate will be highly organized, and a good team player. He/she is expected to travel, including in difficult markets where security issues might appear, as needed to effectively perform his/her role.
• The External Term Consultant will be an integral member of the Regional Communications Unit. This Unit works closely with Corporate and Industry communications teams to advance business development and communicate IFC’s impact in regions of coverage. Regional Communications Officers engage with IFC’s stakeholders (companies and businesses, development partners, civil society, and others) to promote projects that showcase IFC’s leadership and innovation as the premier partner of choice for the private sector in emerging and developing economies. The Regional Communications Unit collaborates regularly with counterparts within the World Bank Group. 

Role and Responsibilities

• The External Term Consultant will be based in Lagos, Nigeria, and report to the Central Africa Communications Lead also based in Lagos, Nigeria.

The External Term Consultant, Nigeria, will be responsible for:

Advice and strategic communications:

• Serve as a trusted advisor on communications to IFC management and staff leading IFC’s operations in Nigeria and Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa. 
• Provide recommendations on internal and external communications, partnerships opportunities, and stakeholder engagement.
• Coordinate with other regional Communications colleagues to design and execute a coherent communications strategy in Nigeria that elevates IFC’s brand in the region. 
• Follow up on communications activities and track impact of engagement.
• Messaging and Products: 
• Develop, under Communications Lead’s guidance, communication products (e.g., feature stories, news releases, talking points, speeches, op-eds, blog posts, speeches, presentations, briefing notes, online and social media content, etc.) and thought leadership pieces. 

Networks:  

• Initiate effective professional relationships with key external and internal constituencies (e.g., the media, civil society, academia, businesses, government agencies, influencers, creative industries players, tech ecosystems, World Bank Group colleagues, etc.), in accordance with priorities defined by the operational teams and Communications Management. 

Events: 

• Oversee communications aspects for IFC-organized conferences and seminars, executive missions and speaking engagements, public or broadcast appearances, press briefings involving external and/or internal audiences.
• Risk management: 
• In collaboration with the African communications team, reputational issues and risk management team and industry communications team:
• Support risk identification and mitigation activities in the context of regional and operational communication interventions.
• Contribute to political economy analysis Nigeria. Focus includes current events, public opinion, social or political issues, and other external or internal developments. 

Selection Criteria

• Master’s degree in communications, Journalism, Political Science, International Relations, Public Affairs, Marketing, Business/Finance with 7+ years’ experience in corporate communications, international relations, public affairs, political science, or other related fields. 
• Solid background in communications
• Strong knowledge and experience working across in markets in Africa, especially in Nigeria or Central Africa, and in the private sector is a plus.
• Networks or experience in key sectors (creative industries, tech ecosystems) is a plus.
• Expertise in social media content development and project management tools is a plus (cf. knowledge of Canvas, Hootsuite’s, Asana, etc.)
• Proven ability to capture trends, case studies and innovations in communications products in a compelling, easy-to-understand manner. 
• Proven ability to think strategically and rapidly analyze diverse information from varied sources and an ability to learn, adapt, and to be innovative as new communications challenges arise.
• Self-motivated, creative, excellent organizational skills, proven ability to perform multiple tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with a willingness to work in a team environment.
• Excellent English and French, including writing and editing skills.
• Understanding of multilateral development institutions, including the World Bank Group policies and operations; understanding of current development topics and issues.
• WBG Core competencies: client orientation; drive for results; teamwork of collaboration and inclusion; knowledge, learning and communication; business judgement and analytical decision-making.