The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is hiring an Advocacy, Policy and Communication Specialist to lead strategic influence and positioning efforts across the West and Central Africa region. You will shape policy, develop advocacy plans, and oversee communications to advance humanitarian and development goals.
What You'll Do
- Lead advocacy strategy and messaging development and implementation for regional and country-level policy goals.
- Develop global advocacy messaging, identify, build and monitor influential regional stakeholders, processes and relationships.
- Support the influence efforts of Country Programs through field visits and/or virtual meetings where relevant.
- Facilitate the implementation of regional, country-specific and global advocacy strategies, including developing plans to reach relevant audiences and advocacy targets.
- Support IRC’s efforts to scale impactful programmatic interventions by crafting strategies to overcome political and policy barriers.
- Develop regional and country-specific policy agendas in collaboration with internal and external experts.
- Develop analysis and position papers to inform advocacy work for the region and globally.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of the IRC regional communications strategy.
- Oversee production of polished and accessible external reports to inform key audiences and influence policy decisions.
- Contribute to press releases and lead sign-off of relevant regional products.
- Facilitate mechanisms to ensure sharing of information and analysis, and alignment of policy/advocacy messaging across country programs, regional office and global headquarters.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for influence in the region.
- Engage in regional and national dialogues with key policymakers and stakeholders to pursue advocacy priorities.
- Maintain active working relationships with external stakeholders including other INGOs, UN Agencies, think tanks, and community-based organizations.
- Act as an IRC spokesperson, providing briefings to key internal and external stakeholders, including policymakers, government officials, journalists, and donors.
- Engage with international and regional media to pitch stories about IRC’s response, advocacy priorities and partnerships.
What We're Looking For
- Degree in Law, Government, Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Studies, or related discipline.
- Fluency in French & English is essential both oral and written.
- 6-8 years of experience working on humanitarian, development and/or foreign policy issues.
- At least two years of experience living and working overseas, preferably in West Africa.
- Demonstrated experience in advocacy and communications efforts in relevant contexts with a focus on creativity and strategic thinking.
- Excellent research and writing skills and the ability to translate complex material and data into coherent narratives.
- Excellent networking, interpersonal, communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills.
- Knowledge of humanitarian system and assistance, blockages to humanitarian access and solutions to protracted displacement, particularly in the West Africa context including the Central Sahel region.
- Understanding of international relief and development issues and sector decision making processes, and the political landscape informing them.
- Strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate successfully in easily understandable language with diverse individuals and groups.
- Ability to think strategically and work quickly and effectively under pressure, including the ability to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
- Proactive and able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Culturally sensitive - able and interested in working with a multi-diverse team.
Team & Environment
Reports to Deputy Regional Director. Indirectly reports to Policy and advocacy team. Supervises Regional Communications Coordinator and technically supports country-based advocacy colleagues.
Benefits & Compensation
- Parental leave.
- Gender-sensitive security protocols.
- Other supportive benefits and allowances.
Work Mode
This is a hybrid role based within the West and Central Africa region.
The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. The IRC and IRC employees must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.
