Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator

Iraq is emerging from over three years of civil war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and remains one of the most complex operating environments in the world. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades and the destruction of communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair. Over 6 million Iraqis have been internally displaced since the conflict erupted in 2014. Two out of five Iraqis who returned home lack adequate housing, jobs and access to basic services. As of June 2021 there are 1.2 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in country.

A lead responder in Iraq since 2003, the IRC delivers aid and services that help communities survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC is providing robust programming across five governorates through women’s protection and empowerment, child protection and protection and rule of law programming; cash distributions and livelihoods programming in support of economic recovery and development; integrated early childhood development programming as well as governance programming. Our work spans emergency response to long-term programming supporting our clients to rebuild their lives while partnering with local civil society and stakeholders.

Scope of work

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 global advocacy and communications team

Specific 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 cluster meetings.

• Represent the IRC in humanitarian and development coordination fora including NCCI Advocacy WG and Durable Solutions, 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

The Government engagement specialist based in Baghdad – 1 staff

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Direct Reporting to: Country Director.

• Indirect Reporting to: Regional Director of Advocacy, Policy & Communications.

• Close collaboration with: 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.

Requirements

• At least five 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, 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 Erbil, Iraq with private accommodation. Regular travel to all IRC Iraq field offices in Kurdistan as well as Southern and Central Iraq, including Baghdad, is required, security permitting.

Working Environment: The overall security situation in Erbil is relatively calm. Security in field sites and Baghdad is currently fairly stable but subject to change at any time.

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 an Iraqi national, are currently located outside of your home country and possess at least three years of international work experience, the Syria Response 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.