Policy, Advocacy, and Communications Coordinator

Under the supervision of the Country Director, the Policy, Advocacy and Communications (PAC) Coordinator will be responsible for pushing forward the design and implementation of the IRC Iraq advocacy strategy and for further development of IRC Iraq’s advocacy, policy, and communication work. The PAC Coordinator will liaise with IRC’s regional and global advocacy and communications teams.

Major Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Regional Director of Advocacy, Policy & Communications, define the advocacy strategy and policy priorities for Iraq based on the S100 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.

• 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 advocacy, policy and communications on Iraq 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 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 Iraq, 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, as well as key coordination meetings.

• Represent the IRC in humanitarian and development coordination fora including Advocacy Working Groups, Protection Platforms, Durable Solutions, Joint Coordination Forums, 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.

Staff Management and Development

• Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance.

• Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.

• Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development.

• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage.

• Offer leadership support for successful adherence by staff to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Iraq Country Director

Position technically supervised by: Regional PAC Director

Position directly supervises: two roles.

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Program Coordinators, Field Coordinators, Access and Security Coordinator, Regional Context Advisor, field staff, Global Advocacy and Communications Colleagues.

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

Job Requirements:

• Over 5 years of relevant experience in crafting and delivering policy and advocacy work responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or transitioning/post-conflict situations.

• Experience in advocating on behalf of marginalized groups in conflict settings

• Master’s degree is preferred 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.

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, and in Arabic preferable, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing skills.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated creativity, ability to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and representation 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.