WBGFN programs and activities are run by our members for our members. Our volunteers are members from around the world who dedicate their time, talents and energy to giving back. Volunteering at WBGFN is not only a great opportunity to use your skills and experience for the benefit of the WBG and wider communities, but also to learn new skills, enhance your professional development, and boost your social life. WBGFN volunteers work in an extraordinarily wide range of positions, from event organization and database management to branding and graphic design. Browse the descriptions of what the main WBGFN teams do below and register to volunteer based on your personal and professional interests. These detailed descriptions are only to be used as a guide and can be adapted to suit the individual’s skill and time commitment.
Get Involved—Worldwide Team
The Worldwide (WW) team consists of WBGFN members from around the world who volunteer their time to welcome families relocating to country offices and to help build a network of supportive communities amongst WBG families
Families relocating to new duty stations appreciate being put in touch with someone who is already living there. Local Connectors are WBGFN members who volunteer to give friendly advice and answer questions, before and after a family relocates. They can share the many insights and tips that only a person living in the country is able to provide.
Local Connectors also connect new arrivals with other members, providing a supportive network of people with the shared experience of relocation with the WBG. This helps spouses and families adapt to their new environment more quickly and more positively, which in turn allows a smoother workplace transition for staff.
Local Champions are volunteers who take a lead in a local WBGFN group, by initiating activities to welcome newcomers and bring members (international and local) together to socialize, share information explore the local area, or help local charities. Some group initiatives have included cooking classes, art or yoga sessions, book clubs, museum visits, and pot luck socials, sometimes with staff. Such activities build a sense of belonging to a community and increase the levels of comfort and confidence about moving to and living in a foreign country. The Local Champion also recruits volunteers and delegates tasks so the local chapter keeps vibrant.
Other members volunteer to share their skills and talents with the WBGFN group and in the wider community. The possibilities are endless - the Local Champions and members are only limited by their interest, skills, needs, and imagination. Our members across the globe can also now join in many virtual activities, classes, interest groups or recorded presentations that are continually being developed and organized by the various WBGFN teams. You could volunteer to lead an interest group or activity in your location, or virtually for global participation.
Local Connectors and Champions are supported by our Regional Champions, who connect with them regularly, share information and resources and provide feedback to HQ leadership team on the priorities and concerns of our worldwide members.
WBGFN welcomes members to get more involved no matter where they are! Participation and volunteering in the development of our Worldwide Program is not limited to where you currently live – technology has closed that gap for us. We can always utilize skills in areas such as social media, communications, career development and writing. Volunteering with WBGFN can make life more fulfilling for all our members and help achieve our mission to increase WBGFN’s global connectedness.
More information about some volunteer roles is given in the links below. We would love to have a Local Connector or Local Champion in every location. We are also always open to new ideas and suggestions of how members can volunteer to help extend our global outreach.
Browse the Worldwide Team volunteer positions
WBFN Worldwide Regional Champion
| Program / Team: Worldwide | Position: WBFN Worldwide Regional Champion |
| Reports to: WBFN Presidents and Coordinator | Supervises: Connectors/Local Champions |
Background
The World Bank Family Network (WBFN) is the organization of the spouses and partners of World Bank Group (WBG) staff members. WBFN is the support network for WBG families and has an accumulated membership of approximately 6,000, many of whom volunteer their time and effort to help organize and run our activities and events. Approximately 1,500 members are in Country Office locations.
The purpose of the WBFN is to welcome, support and advocate on behalf of WBG families. WBFN offers an supportive community within which relocation is made easier and which works steadily to help improve and enhance the quality of life of our members. WBFN is a resource center providing information about WBG services and/or local resources so that WBG families benefit fully from whatever is available during their stay. WBFN attends to members’ concerns and brings them to the attention of WBG management.
Objective
WBFN shares helpful relocation information with members in both the Washington DC area and abroad, and establishes its supportive network through social, cultural, educational, career and advocacy programs.
Tasks and Deliverables
- Be a connector and/or a local champion if none at location
- Support local champions in region (recruitment, community building activities, training and guidance, event organization, Social Media use, etc.)
- Support launch of new chapters
- Engage, support and guide the regional community of local chapters; organize regular (2xmonth?) virtual meetings with champions
- Participate in virtual meetings (2xmonth?) with WBFN HQ team
- Coordinate the sourcing and updating of locally specific resources for family support, including professional development
- Coordinate production of webmagazine and Social Media material regularly
- Identify other international expat organizations within the region and support champions to liaise with them
- Disseminate to community relevant WBG/WBFN information, new facts, new restrictions, trends, etc. through local champions
- Conduct regular M&E exercises with guidance and support from WBFN HQ team
- Prepare monthly and annual reports for the Executive Committee at HQ in Washington, DC
- Work on strenghtening visibility of the programs
- Participate in WBFN leadership brainstorm sessions and help identify areas for potential improvement
- Report to WBFN HQ Coordinator
Education and Skills
- Ability to listen to and engage with people
- Enjoy helping and working with people
- Leadership and problem-solving skills
- Empathetic without creating dependency
- Knowledge of the basics of relocation management strategies
- Facilitation and coaching skills would be a plus
- Ability to delegate tasks to members and manage teams
- Strong organizational skills
- Fluent in English
Experience
- Deep knowledge of WBFN
- Having been a champion in at least one location
- Experience of living in at least two different countries would be a plus
Work Environment
The position is open in ECA + LAC
Approximate Volunteer Hours
- 8-10 hours per week.
Benefits of Position
Transferable Skills:
- listening and empathy
- knowledge about challenges of mobile life
- interpersonal skills
- working in virtual teams
- event management
- co-ordination/team lead
- community building
- volunteer management
- building partnerships
- Other benefits:
- professional trainings
- flexible work schedule
- professional but convivial setting
- networking opportunities
- connection with a worldwide community
- meaningful activity through support to others
- Strong networking opportunities in COs and at HQ
- Team lead and program management experience
- Balancing demands of multiple stakeholders
WBFN Social Media Anchor
| Activity Group: : Local Chapter – Country Office Location | Position: Social Media Anchor |
| Reports to: Worldwide Team Coordinator | Supervises:N/A |
General Description
The Family Network Social Media Anchor is in charge of a location specific or topic specific social media group (Google, Facebook). The online groups are set up by WBFN, and serve the members as an easy way of sharing and acquiring information and advice from each other. The groups also distribute WBFN announcements.
The Social Media Anchor maintains the group, invites eligible participants and helps with access and monitors the exchanges. The Anchor also prepares, shares, and uploads content, sourced in WBFN media and elsewhere, and collaborates with the WBFN Champion(s), the Worldwide Team, and the WBFN Social Media Team in communication projects.
Job tasks and responsibilities
The main areas of responsibility include:
- Moderating social media groups, including inviting and helping new participants, and monitoring of the group activities
- Preparing, sharing and uploading new content or content from other WBFN social media
- Helping create a monthly/weekly Calendar of Events (local events and webinars); publishing them on Social Media channels.
- Directing spouses/families to resources available at WBFN and WBG as needed
- Collaborating in communication projects with WBFN Champions, the Worldwide Team, and the WBFN Social Media Team
Qualitative requirements
- Ability to interact positively with people of different cultures and understand the importance of intercultural relations
- Knowledge of social media groups and pages (Google, Facebook, LinkedIn in particular) and applications like Canva
- Strong communication skills, including social media skills, and good command of English
Educational requirements
Level and type of education may vary for the position
Work environment
Work can be performed anywhere, anytime. No office space is provided.
Approximate volunteer hours
- 1-4 hours per week. Some seasonal variation
- Duration 3 months, or more
Benefits of position
Volunteer opportunities are always open to WBFN members who are looking for ways of acquiring experience, and to contribute to helping other WBG families.
The Social Media Anchor will connect with many people of different backgrounds, and collaborate across continents with WBFN colleagues. Volunteering as a Social Media Anchor is an avenue to gain experience with social media communication in a worldwide organization, while honing intercultural and interpersonal skills; making friends and growing one’s network.
Interested? Please complete the Volunteer Registration Form and our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to discuss this or other suitable opportunities
WBFN Global Campaign Coordinator
| Activity Group: Local Chapter – Country Office Location or Washington DC | Position: Global Campaign Coordinator |
| Reports to: Worldwide Team Coordinator | Supervises:N/A |
General Description
The Family Network Global Campaign Coordinator helps plan and keep the overview when WBFN campaigns worldwide for a cause or to promote an event. In close collaboration with the Worldwide team, the Social Media team, and other relevant teams, the Global Campaign Coordinator engages key members in Country Office locations, and prepares inspiring and practical suggestions for member participation in these different locations, and/or in media channels. During the actual campaign, the Coordinator monitors the participation, and provides quantitative and qualitative documentation by collecting quotes, photos, videos, numbers of participants etc.
Job tasks and responsibilities
The main areas of responsibility include:
- Producing a campaign concept note; global campaign schedule (keeping in mind time zones, local holidays, local interests and conditions), including participation suggestions and participation documentation ideas
- Preparing campaign communications for WBFN media
- Finding, engaging and guiding key participants in Country Office locations
- Collecting and preparing documentation for WBFN media
Qualitative requirements
- Ability to interact positively with people of different cultures and understand the importance of intercultural relations
- Strong project management skills; ability to transform creative ideas and complex planning into a global campaign
- Creative and innovative approach to tasks
- Strong communications and interpersonal skills; ability to engage people from a distance. Excellent command of English
- Strong leadership skills
Educational requirements
Level and type of education may vary for the position, but a Bachelor’s degree (or higher) will be an advantage
Work environment
Work can be performed anywhere, anytime. If the Global Campaign Coordinator is based in Washington DC, the WBFN Office is available. No travel budget.
Approximate volunteer hours
- 10 hours per week
- Duration 2-3 months
Benefits of position
Volunteer opportunities are always open to WBFN members who are looking for ways of acquiring experience, and to contribute to helping other WBG families.
The Global Campaign Coordinator will connect with many people of different backgrounds, and collaborate across continents with WBFN members and colleagues, and with partners. Volunteering as a Global Campaign Coordinator is an avenue to gain experience with project management and communication in a worldwide organization of high diversity; exercise your writing skills and creativity while honing intercultural and interpersonal skills, making friends, and growing your network.
Interested? Please complete the Volunteer Registration Form and our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to discuss this or other suitable opportunities
Online Content Producer
| Activity Group: Local Chapter – Country Office Location | Position: Online Content Producer |
| Reports to: Worldwide Team Coordinator | Supervises: N/A |
General Description
The Family Network Online Content Producer creates interesting and inspiring content for WBFN social media. The person will share comments about what goes on in the local WBFN chapter, and in the location in general, with supportive photo/video captions. The products can be blurbs to be shared on WBFN social media, or stories to be shared on the WBFN website and linked to social media. This position also aims to encourage free writing about topics of particular interest to the WBFN audience, in the specific Country Office location, from the point of view of WBG spouses. The Writer collaborates with the WBFN Champion(s), the Worldwide Team, and the WBFN Social Media Team in communication projects.
Job tasks and responsibilities
The main areas of responsibility include:
- Writing interesting and compelling blurbs and (news) stories about activities of interest for WBFN members in that location and worldwide, and in accordance with guidelines for content
- Providing visual content like photos and videos covering local activities
- Collaborating in communication projects with WBFN Champions, the Worldwide Team, the WBFN Social Media Team, and WBFN Editor
Qualitative requirements
- Ability to interact positively with people of different cultures and understand the importance of intercultural relations
- Ability to capture news and great stories in compelling and creative writing, engaging readers.
- Creative, innovative, and 'curious' approach
- Strong communications skill, including written English
Educational requirements
Level and type of education may vary for the position
Work environment
Work can be performed anywhere, anytime. No office space is provided.
Approximate volunteer hours
- 1-5 hours per week; resulting in 1-2 proposals per month
- Duration 3 months, or more
Benefits of position
Volunteer opportunities are always open to WBFN members who are looking for ways of acquiring experience, and to contribute to helping other WBG families.
The Content Producer will connect with many people of different backgrounds, and collaborate across continents with WBFN colleagues, and other partners. Volunteering as a Content Producer is an avenue to gain experience with communication in a worldwide organization of high diversity; exercise your writing skills and creativity, and nourish your curiosity - all while honing intercultural and interpersonal skills, making friends, and growing your global network. Interested? Please complete the Volunteer Registration Form and our Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to discuss this or other suitable opportunities
WBFN Worldwide Local Champion
| Program/Team: Worldwide | Position: WBGFN Local Champion |
| Reports to: Regional Champion | Supervises: Connectors/Local Team Members |
Local Champion
WBFN shares helpful relocation information with members in both the Washington DC area and abroad, and establishes its supportive network through social, cultural, educational, career and advocacy programs.
What does a Local Champion do?
The role is very flexible and can be managed within the amount of time you have available. Below are some of things our Champions do.
- Form a group of members (international and local), both virtually (WhatsApp etc.) and physically; share information in the group and invite members to do so too (this can also be done by a Communications Volunteer)
- Initiate get-togethers for members, or members and staff, to enjoy each other’s company and share information and concerns, and involve members in organising them
- Initiate and invite ideas for activities/outings/interest groups/charity projects, and involve members in organising them
- Co-ordinate with the Local Connector to welcome new families, or act as Local Connector if there is not one in the country
- Relay concerns/questions from the local group to the Country Office or to the Regional Champion as needed; we can help by introducing you to the Country Office management if you feel comfortable with that
- Liaise with other local expat spouse organizations, if any
- Stay in regular contact with your Regional Champion for support and information
How can you become a Local Champion?
- Check with us whether there is a Local Champion in your location. Even if there is, they might be very grateful for some help
- If there is no Champion, let us know you are interested. We will put you in touch with the Regional Champion who will have a chat with you and help you get started
- Filling in the form below would be helpful for our database
WBFN Worldwide Program Connector
| Program/Team: Worldwide | Position: WBGFN Local Connector |
| Reports to: Local/Regional Champion |
Local Connector
A Local Connector is a member who has settled into the country and is willing to be a contact point for WBG families who are moving there. This support is offered on a friendly, peer basis, and is additional to the professional relocation assistance provided by HR and the country office.
This is a simple but crucial role that immediately allows newcomers to feel they belong, by sharing your own experience of settling in and being a friendly face and voice before and after they arrive.
What does a Local Connector do?
- Spare a little time to share your personal knowledge about the country with newcomers before and after they arrive, and answer their questions
- Connect them with others who might have more information they need e.g. about schools, health, sports etc.
- In co-ordination with the Local Champion if there is one, help new families feel welcome and introduce them to WBG families and other people, to kickstart their social network
- Maybe invite them to come along when you go shopping or on other errands, so they can get to know the locality and start to feel more comfortable
- Whatever else you have time for and might have appreciated when you first arrived
How can you become a Local Connector?
- Just let WBGFN know that you are willing to be a Connector. Even if there is already one in your location, more help is always welcome
- We will let you know when a new family is coming and share their contact details with you so you can initiate contact
- Filling in the form below would be helpful for our database