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Special Representative to WTO and UN, Geneva na World Bank Group

World Bank Group · Geneva, Suíça · Onsite

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Special Representative to WTO and UN, Geneva

Job #: req34653
Organization: World Bank
Sector: External Affairs & Corporate Relations
Grade: GG
Term Duration: 4 years 0 months
Recruitment Type: International Recruitment
Location: Geneva,Switzerland
Required Language(s): English
Preferred Language(s): French
Closing Date: 11/6/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

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.

The mandate of the External and Corporate Relations (ECR) Vice Presidency is to strengthen the World Bank Group’s (WBG) development impact by increasing public support for, and awareness of, the mission and work of the WBG. ECR manages stakeholder engagement and communications strategies to help deliver financial and political support to the World Bank Group, while enhancing and protecting the reputation of the institution. ECR manages global engagement with key stakeholders, including media, civil society, private sector, foundations, think-tanks, donor countries, and multilateral and international organizations; manages corporate communications, including online and social media; manages reputational risks and employee engagement.

The ECR Government and Multilateral Relations Directorate oversees and coordinates the WB’s institutional relationships and engagement with traditional donor countries, the United Nations (UN) system, the WTO and other International Organizations and European Union (EU) institutions, and advises on WBG parliamentary relations. The WBG, through its analytical work, knowledge afforded by investment and development policy lending, technical assistance, and convening power, is a regular participant and/or has official observer status in several multilateral organizations’ governing bodies. 

The WBG Geneva office spearheads engagements with and has a representation role vis-à-vis Geneva-based partners, including the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), the WTO, and UN/non-UN agencies, as well as UN agencies based in Vienna and Copenhagen. It also nurtures relations with Geneva-based permanent missions, think-tanks/academia, the private sector, foundations/philanthropic institutions, civil society, and the financial community. The Special Representative also manages the Bank’s day-to-day relationship with the Government of Switzerland and its authorizing environment on development across the spectrum of stakeholders. This position is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will report to the Special Representative to the UN and Head of Multilateral Affairs based in New York, working under the guidance of the Director of Government and Multilateral Relations. 

Duties and Accountabilities 

In line with ECR multilateral engagement strategy and strategy for bilateral engagement with Switzerland, the Special Representative with pursue the following objectives: 

• Raise awareness about the WBG, building political and financial support; 
• Convene, promote knowledge and evidence-based policy making and build consensus on development challenges and policy options; 
• Support the mobilization of financing and drive action to support the development agendas of client countries;
• Leverage partnerships to increase and amplify WBG impact at global, regional and country level;
• Protect the WBG’s reputation and mange risks. 

The Special Representative’s duties will include, but not be limited to, the following: 

Intelligence, policy analysis, advice and strategy

• Produce intelligence and policy analysis of the evolving context and functioning of stakeholders, and implications for WBG engagement; 
• Provide strategic advice and support to Senior Management and technical teams on all areas related to the policy environment, stakeholders and partnerships in the Geneva office remit, including Swiss Government relations; 
• Work closely with the Special Representative to the UN in the New York office and the Special Representative in Rome to ensure a targeted and strategic relationship between the WBG and the UN system; 
• Work closely with ECR Country Counselors handling bilateral relations with other donor countries to connect engagement across government relations and multilateral affairs; 
• Monitor trends and developments in Geneva-based multilateral organizations, gathering and analyzing information, and identifying potential risks and opportunities to the WBG; 
• Monitor policy/analytical work on key policy issues relevant to the WBG that are tabled in Geneva-based agencies and that have broader implications for developing countries and WBG activities and objectives; 
• Produce briefings for Senior Management on issues of mutual concern to the Bank and the UN and for bilateral engagements with the UN system; 
• In close collaboration with teams across the WB, IFC and MIGA, propose and facilitate corporate positions to proactively position the WBG as a whole to leverage opportunities and anticipate risks. 

Representation, relationships and partnerships management, advocacy and influence

• Represent the WBG in dialogue with multilateral partners, their governing bodies, convenings and coordination platforms (e.g. the UN High-Level Committee on Management, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee and the Grand-Bargain for humanitarian action), and broader multilateral ecosystem including country permanent missions to the UN and WTO, civil society, academia/think tanks, foundations, philanthropic institutions and the private sector;
• Manage the day-to-day institutional relationship with Switzerland and its authorizing environment including government, parliament, think-tanks/academia, civil society, private sector, foundations and philanthropists; 
• Represent the WBG on issues that fall under the WBG Geneva Office mandate and/or facilitate engagement of WBG experts as needed to help shape debate and communicate WBG policy positions and relevant knowledge and analysis; 
• Build strong partnerships with teams across the World Bank, IFC and MIGA and proactively position, guide, facilitate and host visiting missions to Geneva to promote key WBG objectives; 
• Build effective working relationships and partnerships with senior officials and staff in agencies as well as country delegations. Facilitate the WBG’s high level political, strategic and operational partnerships/synergies with the UN and other organizations based in Geneva as well as the Swiss Government;
• Proactively leverage WBG knowledge, outcomes and impact to build consensus and convene action around WBG priorities. This includes engaging in structured discussions with delegations/agencies, and organizing and chairing meetings, workshops and other engagements with Geneva counterparts; 
• In close collaboration with the ECR media team, raise awareness about the WBG and promote WBG objectives; 
• Safeguard the reputation of the institution and managing risks. 

Office Management: Under the guidance of the Special Representative to the UN and Head of Multilateral Affairs, and overall management by the Director of 

Government Relations and Multilateral Affairs: 

• Supervise and manage all Geneva office staff and determining/implementing the office’s work plan. 
• Provide direction and budgetary oversight of the office. 
• Foster collaboration of teams hosted in the Geneva office, charing weekly meetings. 

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree in relevant field with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience OR a relevant Bachelor’s degree and about 13 years of relevant experience;
• Relations/Communications and donor relations experience in the WBG and knowledge of the structures and functioning of the WBG, UN and WTO systems. Previous experience with a multilateral or international organization or a donor government would be an asset;
• Knowledge of WBG structures and products and ability to effectively communicate them to external audiences;
• Broad knowledge of the core areas of WBG engagement in Geneva activity – fragile and conflict states / humanitarian-development agenda, jobs, social protection, health and nutrition, digital transformation, trade disaster risk management and climate adaptation;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and proven ability to work in a diplomatic environment, handle politically sensitive issues with tact, and interact effectively with high-level officials;
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, and strong ability to think and act strategically;
• High level of initiative, judgment, and decisiveness in accomplishing tasks;
• Ability to operate under pressure and tight deadlines with accuracy and professionalism;
• Ability to manage several different internal clients including in situations of competing demands;
• Proven ability to write and communicate effectively in English; working knowledge of French is desirable;
• Ability to motivate and manage staff, provide budgetary oversight, and staff development.

Core Competencies

• Corporate Insight (Organizational Agility) - Ability to represent effectively the office program in interactions with the Board, donors, and shareholders;
• Communication in International Development - High-level ability to communicate with internal and external partners, based on understanding their communication needs and possessing significant experience with international development topics and issues;
• Shareholder and Stakeholder Engagement - Conducts and develops Shareholder and Stakeholder engagement.
• Relationship Management, Intelligence Analysis and Diplomacy - Advises senior management and contributes to mitigation of reputational risk;
• Client Orientation - Maintains client relationships in the face of conflicting demands or directions and provides evidence-based advice and solutions based on sound diagnosis and knowledge;
• Drive for Results - Identifies the needed resources to accomplish results involving multiple stakeholders and finds solutions to obstacles affecting key deliverables;
• Teamwork (Collaboration) and Inclusion - Shows leadership in ensuring the team stays organized and focused, and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches;
• Knowledge, Learning and Communication - Leads in the sharing of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned across units and with clients and partners, articulating ideas verbally and in writing in a clear and compelling way across audiences of varied levels;
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making - Gathers inputs, assesses risk, considers impact and articulates benefits of decisions for internal and external stakeholders over the long term.

Note: This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

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.

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