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 t

Job Description

Background:

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees who have fled war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 25 offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees and other immigrants resettle in the U.S. and become self-sufficient. The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve.

The Policy & Advocacy Department (P&A) is a dynamic team whose core purpose is to drive fundamental change in the humanitarian sector, and to defend and promote core humanitarian policies, protections and assistance. The team carries out, coordinates, and provides guidance on a wide variety of domestic and international advocacy initiatives, including briefings, public outreach and education, and communication with the media. IRC advocates represent the IRC with legislative and executive branches of the US government, the media, NGO partner agencies and coalitions, the United Nations, and international financial institutions such as the World Bank. Learn more about the IRC’s Policy and Advocacy team here: https://www.rescue.org/policy.

Job Overview: The Policy and Advocacy team seeks a current undergraduate or graduate student for the role of Policy & Advocacy Fellow – Humanitarian Aid. The Fellow will work with the P&A Team’s Humanitarian Aid portfolio, as well as the team’s International Crisis portfolio. Topics that may come up include solutions to protracted displacement and refugee inclusion; humanitarian financing data and analysis; humanitarian crises, such as those in Venezuela, Yemen, and Ukraine; and global trends and themes related to civilian protection, COVID-19, and humanitarian response.

Responsibilities: This short-term opportunity is a remote position with expectation of working within Eastern Time hours and reporting to the Officer for Humanitarian Aid P&A; Associate Director for Humanitarian Policy; and the Latin America Regional and Global Crisis Policy Officer. Work activities may include the following:

• Conduct research on humanitarian aid effectiveness and reform, new policy developments, and ongoing crises; and provide written analysis to staff.
• Produce a weekly tracker of press articles, reports and upcoming meetings, events, hearings and UN meetings related to humanitarian aid.
• Engage in planning around IRC’s engagement with the UN and UN Security Council on specific crises as well as broader thematic issues such as the Protection of Civilians
• Attend meetings and events with and on behalf of senior staff, including NGO coalition meetings and congressional hearings, take detailed notes and report back.
• Draft, edit, and format policy and advocacy materials such as talking points for meetings, briefs and reports for distribution to key partners.
• Other duties and tasks as assigned related to research, writing, analysis, and advocacy.

Job Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
• Available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, for a minimum of 14 weeks between August and December.
• Solid writing, editing, and research skills with a focus on detail.
• Interest in and familiarity with humanitarian issues.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced work environment.
• Solid computer skills: able to work effectively and accurately with MS Outlook, Word, Excel, email, and internet applications.
• Flexible work attitude: able to work productively in a team environment as well as under minimal supervision, taking the initiative to ask questions as needed.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in the humanitarian field.
• Lived experience with communities or regions facing conflict or displacement, resettlement, asylum, immigration or migration

Learning Outcomes: Over the course of the semester, the Fellow will:

• Will gain experience in policy writing with an advocacy focus.
• Will learn about complex system of factors affecting policy at international and national levels.
• Will have an opportunity to observe and interact with different NGO partners and IRC staff involved in advocacy and policy decisions.
• Will network within the NGO community.
• Will learn about process of coordinating advocacy across an international NGO.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Officer, Humanitarian Aid Policy & Advocacy; Associate Director for Humanitarian Policy; Latin America Regional and Global Crisis Policy & Advocacy Officer

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Colleagues across Global and Europe Policy & Advocacy teams, and IRC Technical Units

External: NA

Standards of Professional Conduct

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Equality, 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.

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

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 new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

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. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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.