Policy Advocacy and Communication Coordinator

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Contextual background

The IRC launched an emergency health response in Libya in September 2016 as the humanitarian situation in the country was deteriorating following the 2014 conflict. Since then, the IRC has broadened its portfolio with health, protection, and governance programs aiming to employ a holistic approach to meeting the needs of crisis affected and vulnerable communities to survive, recover, and gain control of their futures.

Scope of work

Under the supervision of the IRC Libya Country Director, the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator will be responsible for leading IRC Libya’s policy, advocacy and communications (PAC) work, including the implementation of the IRC Libya PAC Strategy and for developing briefings, key messages, talking points and other advocacy materials and events. This role will also supervise and support IRC Libya’s Communications Manager, based in Tripoli, ensuring that communications is integrated with advocacy and policy objectives. This position is based in Tunis, Tunisia, however periodic travel to IRC Libya field offices is required, access and security permitting.

Specific responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the IRC Libya Country Director and the MENA Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications, define the advocacy strategy and policy priorities for Libya based the country Strategic Action Plan; 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.

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

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of advocacy initiatives.

• Provide regular updates and analysis on policy windows for IRC’s advocacy program in Libya and identify opportunities and entry points for IRC’s collaboration with key actors (both national and international) to achieve IRC’s strategic goals and objectives.

• Design and coordinate meetings, private and public events as part of the over all PAC portfolio.

• 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.

• Conduct a robust stakeholder holder mapping and maintain an updated contact list of key targets in-country.

• Promote a principled approach to policy, advocacy and communications on Libya amongst relevant internal stakeholders and ensure that external messaging is evidence-based and driven by field realities.

• Serve as a member of the Senior Management Team to ensure a strategic approach to advocacy engagement.

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

• Provide analysis for Country Director and Country Programme and inputs for meetings and external events.

• Represent the IRC in humanitarian and development coordination fora including the Libya INGO Advocacy Working Group, conferences, lobby meetings, and other events as requested; or provide talking points for other senior representatives, including the Country Director.

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

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

Supervisory Responsibilities

IRC Libya Communications Manager - based in Tripoli, Libya.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Direct Reporting to: Country Director.

• Management in Partnership with: Regional Director of Advocacy, Policy & Communications.

• Close collaboration with: Program Coordinators, Field Coordinators, Humanitarian Access and Security Coordinator, Regional Context Analyst, Regional Senior Comms and Media Manager, Global Advocacy and Communications Colleagues.

External: Public and private donor agencies, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, partner organizations.

Requirements

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

• Good knowledge of the context in Libya

• Ability to understand diverse perspectives and to be able to successfully influence and negotiate

• 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, and in Arabic preferable, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing skills;

• 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 including in International Humanitarian Law; Migration law, Political Science and Public Administration, International Human Rights Law

• Experience with training and staff capacity building;

• Middle East regional experience and Arabic language skills preferred.

Travel: This position is based in Tunis, Tunisia. Periodic travel to all IRC Libya field offices, is required, access and security permitting.

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

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.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a Libyan national, are currently located outside of your home country and possess at least three years of international work experience, the MENA 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.

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, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Qualifications