External Affairs Associate

Job #: req36429
Organization: World Bank Group
Sector: External Affairs & Corporate Relations
Grade: GE
Term Duration:  4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment
Location: Brussels,Belgium
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): English
Closing Date: 4/27/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. 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. Please visit www.worldbank.org.
External and Corporate Relations Vice-Presidency (ECR) 
The mission of External and Corporate Relations (ECR) is to help deliver financial and political support for the World Bank Group, strengthen the Bank Group’s role as a global thought leader in development by enhancing and safeguarding its reputation, and supporting operational teams to achieve country outcomes. ECR manages corporate communications and global engagement with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, foundations, private sector, donor countries, and international organizations, as well as employee engagement. ECR also manages strategic communications for the World Bank Group’s Regions and Global Practices and leads the management of reputation risk. 
External and Corporate Affairs – Europe 
ECR Europe manages relationships with key stakeholders, including government counterparts, parliament, civil society, private sector, media, academia and international organizations in the traditional European development partner and donor countries.  
The Brussels Office opened in 1996 and works to deepen the World Bank Group’s partnership with the European Union Institutions (EUIs), Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and NATO and now counts over 90 staff. The Brussels Office is headed by the World Bank Special Representative to the EU, Belgium, Luxembourg and NATO, who reports to the Director for Government Relations, under the External & Corporate Relations Vice-Presidency.   
The Brussels Office supports the WBG's operational departments (1) in their dealings with the EU Institutions, particularly the EC, the EIB, and with member states on the Council of the EU chaired by the rotating Presidency, and (2) in implementing effective outreach and communications strategies vis-à-vis other Brussels-based actors – including the European Parliament, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, think tanks and media outlets.  
Duties & Responsibilities 
The successful candidate will report to the Special Representative to the EU and will work closely with the ECR teams in Washington DC and Western Europe. 
The incumbent will substantially contribute to ECR’s mandate by increasing support for, and awareness of, the mission and work of the WBG among key stakeholders in Brussels and Luxembourg. 
The External Affairs Associate’s major responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following: 
• Maintain and develop strong partnerships with key interlocutors, more specifically European Commission Directorates-General and services (e.g. INTPA, ECFIN, ENEST, EEAS), as well as the Council of the European Union (e.g., CODEV working party) and EU Development Finance Institutions, to advance the WBG’s strategic agenda. 
• Involve relevant WBG teams to ensure collaboration is advanced at policy and operational level and support VPUs on business development, including around innovative financing mechanisms and fundraising opportunities. 
• Engage with relevant partners to ensure the Brussels Office is well represented and WBG’s agenda advanced across a spectrum of development priorities. This will entail close collaboration with various WBG units, including Development Finance (DFi), the IFC, with a geographic focus on LAC and Asia. The incumbent will also be asked to support the bilateral relationship with Luxembourg stakeholders. 
• Gather intelligence and write policy briefs/papers in tandem with the Special Representative and ECR teams located in Europe and/or World Bank headquarters (HQ) on key issues i.a. related to the EU Global Gateway, or the EU’s Multi-Annual Financial Framework. 
• Represent the WBG at meetings, events and conferences, including in UN Brussels Team coordination meetings, informal and formal sessions and launches of partner publications. 
• Facilitate the work of other units to organize, plan, coordinate, and implement outreach activities of the WBG in Brussels, including consultations with stakeholders and launches. 
• Provide issue and logistical support on agendas of WBG strategic engagements with EU institutions and high-level missions to Brussels and Luxembourg. 
• Support effective professional relationships with key external constituencies within civil society stakeholders (NGOs, think-tanks, academia, and private sector).  
• Specific tasks may include, but are not limited to: 
Draft presentations, speeches, key messages and talking points, and organize briefing materials for the Special Representative and other senior level staff; 
• Prepare the EU Donor Country Profile and the weekly newsletter (update);  
• Support/coordinate the World Bank participation to EU-led events (e.g. EU Global Gateway Forum); 
• Plan, organize and provide logistical support to WBG senior management missions to Brussels; 
• Plan, organize, and implement the Brussels Office's outreach activities designed to share and leverage WBG knowledge with stakeholders, including consultations with stakeholders and launches of knowledge products. 

Selection Criteria

• We require a relevant mix of education and experience: master’s degree with 2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant discipline (international development studies, economics, social or political science, or related fields).
• Familiarity with World Bank procedures and operations, including trust funds and other financial instruments.
• Proven knowledge of EU institutions, policies and financing instruments.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Proven capacity to work simultaneously on a variety of issues and tasks, independently adjusting to priorities and achieving results with agreed objectives and deadlines.
• Ability to work in a fast track environment, with efficiency, competence and integrity with people of different cultural background; as well as possessing diplomatic and client-engagement skills. Ability to learn new practices and procedures quickly, with potential for greater responsibility.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.
• Strong computer skills, Microsoft applications.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

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.

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 about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.