Communications and Advocacy Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 24 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. The IRC in Northern California (NorCal) is composed of four offices in Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, and Turlock / Modesto. The NorCal office supports a diverse group of clients including refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, and immigrations from a range of backgrounds. The NorCal office programs are focused on refugee resettlement, economic empowerment, health and wellness, immigration services, anti-trafficking support, and more.

Job Overview:

The Communications and Advocacy Coordinator in NorCal will increase community awareness and improve the IRC’s internal and external communications. This position will be responsible for leading communications across the region in coordination with community engagement managers located at each of the four NorCal sites. They will develop a communications strategy, oversee social media, coordinate responses and logistics of media requests as well as liaise with IRC headquarters on internal and external story requests. The position will also support state and local advocacy initiatives in the region.

Major Responsibilities:

- Design and drive an annual communications plan to implement NorCal’s vision around advocacy, community engagement and fundraising. - Maintain the NorCal webpages and social media sites, in coordination with Community Engagement managers across the region. - Identify and cultivate a comprehensive media contact list, proactively pitch stories to local media contacts, develop media partners to showcase the work of the IRC. - Serve as liaison and point of contact between the IRC’s Headquarters (HQ) Communications team and NorCal. Respond to HQ media and other story requests as appropriate. Identify and prepare clients and staff for media interviews. - Provide topic analysis to leadership, including inputs and talking points for meetings and interviews, as required. - Ensure the production and distribution of communications materials that may include factsheets, achievement reports, brochures, newsletters, regular social media posts, website updates and press releases that improve visibility to partners, key decision-makers and other interested parties and support fund-raising efforts. - Maintain communication and media policies in consultation with relevant focal points at HQ and in close consultation with local management. Ensure that all staff are aware of these policies and procedures. - Ensure all communication materials (program/city specific) are standardized as per the communication policy and is approved as required before printing and/or dissemination, with key vital advocacy, fundraising and strategic messages appropriately aligned in communication products. - Facilitate presentations on the IRC’s work and engagement opportunities to individuals and organizations. Represent the IRC at community events, conferences, public forums and other events as requested.

- Support the development of an advocacy agenda for the NorCal offices at the state and local levels. This will include supporting each office by conducting research in partnership with NorCal offices on potential advocacy areas of focus and preparing supporting materials to support those areas.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Executive Director

Position directly supervises: N/A

Indirect Reporting:

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

**Internal****: Community Engagement Managers, Headquarters Communications teams, NorCal Development Director; Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, and Turlock/Modesto Leadership team members

External: Local media; relevant Legislators; relevant donors

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in marketing, communications, policy, political science, public administration preferred.

Work Experience: 3+ years of related professional experience ideal. Experience should include working with media, communications/outreach, event planning and/or community organizing.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

- Strong English language skills including writing and editing. - Strong public speaking and presentation skills. - Intermediate to advanced familiarity with and ability to design social media and website updates. - Excellent digital literacy (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and graphic design (including Adobe Creative Cloud) skills. - Strong research skills. - Excellent organizational and time management skills. - Strong leader with ability to work independently with minimal direction. - Persuasive personality with excellent attention to detail and strong follow through. - Ability to communicate effectively and work as a team member in a diverse, cross-cultural environment. - Strong interest in international and refugee issues or strong interest to learn.

Working Environment:

- A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities. - May require limited weekend and/or evening work

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity****: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer****: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

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