Advocacy and Communications Advisor

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

In the Middle East region, IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis with an annual budget in excess of $140 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1,250 staff. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

IRC began working in Jordan in 2007. Today we work to deliver services to help people to survive, recover and gain control of their future. With programs in Amman, Mafraq, Ramtha, Irbid, and Za’atari and Azraq refugee camps, our staff support vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugees with cash relief, livelihoods support, specialized services for women and girls, legal assistance, protection monitoring, education, child protection, and primary and reproductive health care.

The IRC Jordan country program is currently looking for a strong candidate to support in the continued strategic development and implementation of our advocacy strategy. We need a person with advocacy and communication experience, excellent coordination and networking skills, and interest in building the capacity of others to carry out high quality and impactful advocacy activities. We offer competitive salary and excellent opportunities for professional and personal growth.

SCOPE:

Under the direct supervision of the Country Director, the Advocacy and Communications Advisor will be responsible for pushing forward implementation of the IRC Jordan advocacy strategy and for further development of IRC Jordan’s advocacy work. The Advocacy and Communications Advisor will liaise with IRC’s global and regional advocacy and communications team and supervise the Jordan-based Communications Manager and the Government Liaison Specialist.

Responsibilities:

· Under the technical guidance of the Regional Director of Advocacy and Communications, define the advocacy strategy and priorities for Jordan; lead strategy implementation in the field and advise and support colleagues in global capitals in implementing the strategy with targets in London, Brussels, DC/NY, and the region.

· Support the country program to identify, design and implement activities that contribute to durable solutions for people displaced by conflict in Syria, and actively engage with other organizations to explore ways to promote durable solutions through programming and advocacy, providing guidance and support as useful. In particular, in close collaboration with the Regional Durable Solutions Advisor:

o Ensure country program has a clear understanding of durable solutions for refugees;

o Work with the region and country programs to develop a strategy and detailed plan for advocacy and programming goals around durable solutions;

o Be a backstop resource for all IRC staff that participate in key durable solutions platforms and ensure information is shared with relevant regional and country program colleagues;

· Produce high quality public and private policy and advocacy materials including talking points, letters, briefing notes, pitch papers, and advocacy reports.

· Cultivate and develop robust relationships with relevant in-country stakeholders on issues of concern, including UN, donor representatives, diplomatic missions, and peer agencies, and grow the IRC’s bilateral relationships with government counterparts.

· Conduct and maintain robust stakeholder and power mappings as well as updated contact lists of key targets in-country.

· Promote a principled approach to advocacy and communications in Jordan among relevant internal stakeholders and ensure that external messaging is evidence-based and driven by field realities.

· Serve as a member of the Extended Senior Management Team (ESMT) to ensure a strategic approach to advocacy engagement.

· Contribute to collective advocacy products and initiatives including active participation in the Jordan INGO Forum (JIF) Advocacy Working Group (AWG)

· In conjunction with country program staff and the global advocacy and communications teams, closely monitor humanitarian policy debates and media pertaining to the Syria crisis, ensuring that relevant information is analyzed and disseminated in a timely and effective manner

· Provide analysis for Country Director and inputs for relevant meetings and events

· Represent the IRC as appropriate in coordination fora, conferences, lobby meetings, and other events as requested; or provide talking points for other senior representatives, including the Country Director and other senior staff as needed.

· Respond to external inquiries on policy issues, including briefing policymakers and media.

Provide trainings on advocacy and communication to field staff and develop the capacity of national staff to implement impactful advocacy interventions.

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Key Working Relationships:

· Direct Reporting to: Country Director

· Indirect Reporting to: Regional Director of Advocacy and Communications

· Supervises: Communications Manager and Government Liaison Specialist

· Close collaboration with: Deputy Director of Programs, Program Coordinators, MEAL Coordinator, Field Managers, Regional Conflict Advisor, field staff, Regional Durable Solutions Advisor, regional and global Advocacy and Communications colleagues

Requirements:

· At least five years of professional experience crafting and delivering policy and advocacy work responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations;

· Demonstrated creativity, ability to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving skills;

· Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and representation skills;

· Fluency in English and Arabic (written and spoken) are essential, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing skills;

· Proven track record of governmental relationship building and thorough understanding of Jordan laws and regulations

· Ability to navigate interpersonal and inter-departmental organizational dynamics to keep focus on goals and products;

· Ability to work well in unstable security environments, and under significant administrative and programmatic pressures;

· Flexible to adapt to changing requirements;

· Culturally sensitive, able and interested in working with a multi-ethnic team;

· Strong commitment to the IRC’s mission, purpose and values;

· Must be able to work independently while being a team player;

· Advanced degree in relevant field desired;

· Experience with training and staff capacity building;

· First-hand experience working in insecure conflict settings preferred;

· Middle East regional experience.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Syria Response Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Gender Equality

IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.