Senior External Relations Officer

Job Description

Job Purpose

The Senior External Relations Officer builds multi-stakeholder support and strengthens the image of ADB at the country level through effective external relations activities, particularly media relations and communication programs, carried out in consultation with the Resident Mission (RM) and the Department of External Relations (DER).

Expected Outcomes

External Relations

• Develop and implement an annual external relations strategy for the Resident Mission that includes media relations, communication and stakeholder outreach activities aimed at raising visibility of ADB’s efforts in the country.
• Propose a budget and work plan for external relations activities.
• Recommend strategies to Country Director on how ADB’s external relations activities at the country level could be improved and suggest solutions for emerging issues.

Media Relations

1. Develop and implement a media plan as part of an overall external relations strategy to raise visibility and strengthen image of ADB in national media.
2. Plan and implement media outreach programs to promote ADB projects using press tours, media interviews, news releases, and feature articles.
3. Provide recommendations to Country Director on media relations activities, including preparations for media interviews, press conferences, and media gatherings.
4. Identify opportunities to communicate ADB projects and knowledge products through news releases, media launches, and press statements for national media
5. Strengthen relationships with journalists from national media and assist Country Director to build rapport with senior journalists.
6. Maintain a system to track, monitor, and analyze media reports on ADB and coverage of issues of interest to ADB.
7. Facilitate response to media inquiries and advise Country Director on response to issues in media reports.

Public Communications

1. Maintain editorial oversight to ensure quality of website content
2. Identify and work with DER to develop multimedia products to promote ADB’s work
3. Prepare and implement media and communication activities for Management missions.
4. Manage translation of external relations messages from English to local language, including news releases, speeches, awareness-raising materials, and online information.
5. Develop promotional and awareness-raising materials such as country facts sheets and brochures.
6. Assist in developing communication plan for high-profile, sensitive projects.
7. Facilitate disclosure requirements under ADB’s Public Communications Policy, including coordinating response to request for information by the public.
8. Prepare and ensure quality and accuracy of media-related products, internal and external.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Development Studies, Economics, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, and Social Sciences, preferably with Master's Degree or equivalent.

Relevant Experience

Work experience

- Relevant experience of at least 8 years in development communications, public relations and/or journalism, preferably at the international level, and at least 4 years of supervisory experience

- A proven track record of writing on economic policy issues for the news media would be a significant advantage

Technical knowledge

- Knowledge and understanding of local and international media operations.

- In-depth knowledge and understanding of <country>, especially on economic policy and development issues.

- Good media contacts in <country>

- Proficiency in proofreading local language translations

- Knowledge and familiarity in communicating using multimedia and social media tools

- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

- Strong analytical skills

- Proficiency with computer-based applications, including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

People and supervisory skills

- Strong interpersonal and multicultural skills

- Communicate often with clients and seeks to understand and anticipate their needs.

- Able to mentor Administrative Staff (AS) to facilitate work planning, delivery and quality review

- Able to liaise and work effectively with various stakeholders, including media and government officials

- Able to work collaboratively with teams as a constructive team member.

Core Competencies

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

1. Applies updated advancements in own knowledge area to relevant tasks
2. Applies knowledge and practical skills to independently perform some complex tasks
3. Conveys the need to use updated project approaches

Client Orientation

1. Delivers contributions across a variety of products and services to meet the needs of different clients
2. Proposes options to clients that may better meet their needs than current approaches
3. Defines and delivers to agreed standards with clients

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

1. Conducts detailed research and analysis to determine appropriate methods for addressing the causes of issues
2. Self-monitors achievement of results according to work plans
3. Identifies different stakeholder needs and desired outcomes when planning for outcomes
4. Independently solves problems and makes recommendations

Working Together

1. Maintains collaborative relationships within the RM and DER
2. Works effectively with diverse colleagues in own and other Divisions and Departments
3. Flexibly alters positions and adjusts previously stated points of view to support the group consensus
4. Follows through on team priorities in the absence of a team leader

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

1. Checks with audience’s level of understanding and awareness of required follow up actions
2. Consistently seeks and addresses feedback on own performance
3. Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution
4. Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents

Innovation and Change

1. Actively supports work improvement and/or organizational change by work and deed
2. Develops and adopts change plans to support initiatives on which one works
3. Considers current and future client needs in proposing ideas
4. Vocalizes early support for change
5. Recommends inputs to new policies, systems and processes in immediate work area

Immediate Reporting

1. Supervisor: Country Director, RM and Director, DER
2. The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
   • Administrative Staff
3. We encourage diversity in our workplace and support an inclusive environment.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is a special fixed-term appointment for a period of two (2) years following Section 3.1 (c) of Administrative Order No. 2.01 ("Recruitment and Appointment"). This appointment is not convertible to a regular appointment. This appointment is open to internal and external applicants.

If the successful candidate is an ADB staff member holding a regular appointment, his/her regular appointment will be converted to a special fixed-term appointment. A special fixed-term appointment will automatically and without prior notice expire at the end of the term.

Apply Instructions

Please Click here to Apply and for Vacancy Details

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.