Communications and Advocacy Coordinator

Job Description

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development - bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in 9 districts in Uganda, including Kitgum, Lamwo, Kyegegwa, Moroto, Amudat, Yumbe, Arua, Kasese and Kampala. The IRC will be moving into additional/new locations in refugee settlements in Kiryandongo and Zombo.

Currently, the IRC in Uganda has presence across six sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, protection, and rule of law (PRoL), women’s protection and empowerment (WPE), economic recovery and development (ERD), and education. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons. Recently, IRC Uganda extended support to the Afghan evacuee response in Entebbe.

Job Overview: Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Programs, the Communications and Advocacy Coordinator is responsible for pushing forward the design and implementation of the IRC Uganda’s advocacy strategy and for further development of advocacy, policy, and communications work (both internal and external). The Communications and Advocacy Coordinator will liaise with IRC’s global and regional communications team to make sure that the materials developed are aligned with the IRC branding requirements. The position will work closely with other members of the Senior Management Team, Technical Coordinators, Program Coordinator for Quality and Learning, Field Coordinators and the Senior Global Communications Officer based in Nairobi, Kenya. The role is based in Kampala with travel to program sites across Uganda.

Duties and Responsibilities: •Under the guidance of the regional/global communications team, define the intentional communications and advocacy strategy and policy priorities for IRC Uganda based on the S100 Strategic Action Plan (SAP); lead strategy implementation in the field and advise and support colleagues in implementing the strategy. •Produce high quality external policy, advocacy, and communication materials including talking points, letters, briefing notes, position papers, and advocacy reports. •Produce high quality internal communication materials, including regular updates, presentations, newsletters, one/two-pagers, brochures, and pamphlets, to increase collaborations across field sites, sectors, and functional departments. •Regularly liaise with relevant in-country stakeholders on issues of concern, including UN, donor representatives, diplomatic missions, local civil society, and peer agencies, and grow the IRC’s bilateral relationships with government counterparts, such as line ministries in IRC sectors, including Health, Protection and Rule of Law, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Economic Recovery and Development, and Education. •Conduct a robust stakeholder holder mapping and maintain an updated contact list of key targets in-country, including media and private sector. •Promote a principled approach to advocacy, policy, and communications on Uganda 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 Staff to ensure a strategic approach to communications and advocacy engagement. •In conjunction with country program staff and the global advocacy and communications teams, closely monitor humanitarian policy debates and media pertaining to Uganda, ensuring that relevant information is analyzed and disseminated in a timely and effective manner. •Provide analysis for Country Director and country program and inputs for meetings, as well as key interagency coordination meetings. •Represent the IRC in humanitarian and development coordination forums, such as working groups, conferences, lobby meetings, and other events as requested; or provide talking points for other senior representatives, including the Country Director and Deputy Director of Programs. •Respond to external inquiries on policy issues, including briefing policymakers and media. •Provide trainings on communications and advocacy to field staff and develop the capacity of national staff to implement impactful advocacy and policy interventions.

Qualifications

•At least 5 years of professional experience crafting and delivering policy and advocacy work responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations. •Experience in advocating on behalf of marginalized groups in conflict settings. •Demonstrated creativity, ability to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving skills. •Excellent analytical, presentation, communication, and representation skills. •Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing and presentation skills. •Ability to navigate interpersonal and inter-departmental organizational dynamics to keep focus on goals and products. •Ability to work well under administrative and programmatic pressures. •Flexible to adapt to changing requirements. •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, including in International Humanitarian Law; Migration law, Political Science and Public Administration, International Human Rights Law, International Relations, Public Policy. •Experience with training and staff capacity building. •Strong cross-cultural communication skills and eager to work as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints. •Exceptional advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously. •Analytical, strategic, and able to proactively develop solutions to complex challenges. •Reliable, patient, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Working Environment: Current security level is yellow across all IRC operating areas in Uganda, with the exception of Karamoja region which is orange. The security situation across the country is generally calm with main concerns related to petty crime.

The position is based in Kampala, with expected travel to all field locations.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in 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.

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.