WBFN 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 WBFN 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. WBFN 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 WBFN 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
You can become involved in the Worldwide Team from any location in the world when you are a WBFN member. Whether you are interested in:
peer support activities ∙ social media ∙ knowledge management ∙ video and photography ∙ journalism ∙ community and charity work ∙ website editing ∙ event planning
- or you have other interests and ideas for strengthening our community, we can find or together create a role for you.
Volunteers from all over the world meet in quarterly virtual conferences and connect on social media for guidance, inspiration and team building. We are currently about 70 volunteers in more than 50 Country Office locations (excluding the US).
Many of us coordinate contact and gatherings to support each other, share location specific insights, and introduce newcomers in new social circles as WBFN Champions. We appreciate the idea of this global network where members can find support when they need it, and give support when they can.
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: Communications | Position: WBFN Local Champion |
Reports to: Regional Champion | Supervises: Connectors/Local Team Members |
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 attractive community within which relocation is made easier and which keep improving and enhancing 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 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
Basic:
- Be the connector if none at location
- Direct support of WBG Community, family members including staff; be the first PoC
- Provide guidance to navigate WBFN and WBG resources, as well as external resources
- Be families' representative with CO director/manager, Health and Security specialists, Relocation Focal Point
- Organize social activities/gatherings for chapter members, with or without staff, including welcoming sessions for newcomers
- Form groups with members, both virtually (WhatsApp etc.) and physically; moderate on-line community
- Recruitment, onboarding, training and guidance of Connectors and Team Members; delegation/organization of team work for different tasks e.g. Social Media, Communications, articles, website content, etc.
- Ensure effective transfer of knowledge to incoming champion
- Coordinate collection of updated lists of local resources; produce and/or gather content for web magazine and activities calendar
- Track and report own volunteer hours to Regional Champion while working in support of members
Optional:
- Participation in trainings, Skype/Webex conferences, and sharing calendar of events with members
- Forecast of new families
- Undertake special projects, if any
- Liaise with other local expat spouse organizations, if any
Educational and Skills
- Ability to listen and engage
- Enjoy helping and working with people
- Leadership skills
- Empathetic without creating dependency
- Good organizational skills
- Knowledge of the basics of relocation management strategies
- Good English skills
Experience
- Good knowledge of WBFN
- Being or having been a champion in at least one location is a plus.
Work Environment
The position is posted in every Country Office location.
Hours
2 to 4 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:
- trainings
- flexible work schedule
- professional but convivial setting
- networking opportunities
- connection with a worldwide community
- meaningful activity through support to others
WBFN Worldwide Program Connector
Program/Team: Worldwide | Position: WBFN Connector |
Reports to: Local/Regional Champion |
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 attractive community within which relocation is made easier and which keep improving and enhancing 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 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
Basic:
- Welcoming of new relocating families, before and during the relocating process
- Providing support / answer to queries about local practical matters (on neighborhoods, schooling, security, what to bring, etc.)
- Connecting newly arrived families with other members of the community
- Being in touch with Health and Security specialists, Relocation Focal Point
Optional:
- Ensure effective transfer of knowledge to incoming connector
- Being in touch with the Country Director/Manager as the WBFN representative
Educational and Skills
- Ability to listen and engage
- Enjoy helping and working with people
- Good English skills is a plus
Experience
- Minimum knowledge of WBFN's mission
Work Environment
The position is posted in every Country Office location.
Hours
1 to 2 hours per month
Benefits of Position
- Transferable skills:
- listening and empathy;
- knowledge about challenges of mobile life
- interpersonal skills
- working in virtual teams