Communications Specialist - ADB - Manila, Philippines

Department of External Relations

Closing Date: 4 February 2013 , 5:00 p.m. (1700 Manila Time, 0900 GMT)

Job Purpose:

Support Department of External Relations (DER) strategic communications work. Conceptualize, develop and implement communication strategies for priority development issues, projects, events and campaigns. Oversee the preparation of key communications products and materials. Identify communications tools and opportunities to position ADB amongst key target audiences, including international top-tier media. Provide assigned departments in ADB with guidance on strategic approaches to improve effectiveness and scale up communications for projects and initiatives. Undertake capacity building on effective communications with stakeholders, particularly media. Work with broad policies and objectives, working directly with clients, with supervision for critical tasks.

Expected Outcomes

a. Strategic Communications
- Design and implement strategic, results-oriented communications plans for operational departments, knowledge departments and/or other initiatives to reinforce ADB’s leading position on sustainable development in the Asia and Pacific region,
- Provide external relations counsel to assigned department(s)/areas and drive communications activities to profile ADB's work amongst target audiences;
- Build and maintain close ties with prominent global and regional media outlets, working to enhance ADB visibility on a range of priority issues and initiatives;
- Anticipate important communication issues, including issues posing reputational risk, and guide the development and implementation of appropriate communication plans and strategies;
- Provide strategic advice to DER Management on high profile or sensitive internal or external communications issues in which proactive interaction is critical to ADB's credibility;
- Develop content for major communications activities including key messages/talking points, news releases, opinion pieces, and background documents;
- Coordinate and interface with client departments and DER colleagues to develop communications and promotional materials, collaterals and multimedia products;
- Develop effective messages on issues and initiatives;
- Train senior staff on media and communications skills.


b. Knowledge Sharing
- Promote knowledge sharing and collaboration by managing, writing and editing communications materials and developing communications products to support knowledge product dissemination.
- Ensure key messages and communications products are disseminated through appropriate channels to maximize efficacy.

c. Staff Supervision
- Provide leadership and support to reporting staff.
- Supervise the performance of reporting staff, providing clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance.
- Ensure the on-going learning and development of reporting staff.

Educational Requirements:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in Communications, Public Affairs, Advocacy, Journalism, or related fields. University degree in Communications, Public Affairs, Advocacy, Journalism, or related fields, combined with specialized experience in similar organization/s, may be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Relevant Experience And Other Requirements:

- Suitability to undertake the responsibilities mentioned above at the required level
- At least 8 years relevant experience
- Demonstrated dedication to development and communications work
- Substantial experience managing a full array of communications and public affairs responsibilities, with a demonstrated understanding of communications tools and approaches, including media operations and opinion research.
- A proven track record working with top-tier media and attaining prominent coverage for priority issues and initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to manage reputational risk issues.
- Strong knowledge of the disciplines relevant to ADB's development work, particularly the core operational areas identified in Strategy 2020.
- Proven ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and produce quality results in high-stress environments under tight deadlines.
- Experience with new media, social media and development communication an advantage.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Strong research, writing and analytical skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and recognized as a team player
- Successful track recording working with staff from diverse backgrounds
- Demonstrated ability to manage/mentor staff and managing complex relationships
- Consistently applies creativity and independent judgment to work
- Performs work independently in own field of specialization

• Exposure to similar work in the Asia Pacific region, an added advantage.
• International experience working in several countries

Core Competencies:

Application of Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Regularly shares knowledge on new international best practice trends in comparator situations
• Proactively applies relevant international best practices to own work
• Convinces others to adopt international best practice by explaining the situational relevance and benefits

Client Orientation

• Helps colleagues work effectively with clients in different contexts and from diverse backgrounds and country situations
• Adapts own approach and style when interacting with clients, as opposed to requiring them to adapt
• Draws upon international best practice in exploring solutions with clients
• Confirms the clients’ understanding and agreement before progressing

Achieving Results and Problem Solving

• Draws on own and others’ multi-country experience to identify viable courses of action when conducting analyses
• Helps internal and external clients achieve quality results beyond presenting problems and precedent
• Highlights possible solutions for project issues based on relevant multi-country and/or multi-client experience
• Regularly contributes insights and experiences to colleagues in the Division to help them achieve quality results
• Overcomes unexpected difficulties and challenges to produce desired outcomes

Working Together

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

Communication and Knowledge Sharing

• Checks the audience’s level of understanding and awareness of required follow up actions
• Consistently seeks and addresses feedback on own performance
• Creates knowledge products endorsed for wider distribution based on lessons and multi-country experience
• Independently amends and clarifies messages and documents

Innovation and Change

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

Immediate Reporting Relationships / Other Information:

• Supervisor: Director, DER
• The following staff positions may be supervised by the incumbent:
  • Administrative Staff
  • National Staff

Women are encouraged to apply.

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