Advocacy Advisor

Job posted by: International Rescue Committee (IRC)-USA - Wed, 27 May 2015

Job Details:

Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC)-USA

Deadline Sun, 26 Jul 2015

Job type: Permanent

Location: Turkey

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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.

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 7.6 million people are internally displaced and 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 4.8 million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 3.8 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis with an annual budget in excess of $140 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1,250 staff in the region. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women’s protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

SCOPE OF WORK:
Under the supervision of the Country Director and in coordination with the regional Public Affairs team, the Advocacy Advisor will be responsible for developing and implementation of IRC Turkey’s advocacy strategy. Key to the implementation of the strategy will be ensuring that advocacy efforts and policy content are timely and relevant and draw on the voices of the conflict-affected communities IRC seeks to serve.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Working under the guidance of the Country Director and the Director of Public Affairs in the regional office, develop and implement IRC Turkey’s advocacy and policy strategy;
  • Work with IRC’s program teams to develop advocacy and policy positions that reflect the priorities of the communities IRC seek to serve in Syria and Turkey;
  • Develop advocacy and policy messages and products, including talking points, briefing notes, position papers and advocacy reports, for in-country, regional and international stakeholders;
  • Keep the Country Director and regional team updated on all relevant policy and advocacy developments;
  • In coordination with the Country Director, represent IRC in appropriate coordination forums;
  • Actively participate in and support the NGO Forum Advocacy Working Group and take a lead role on AWG taskforces as they relate to IRC priorities;
  • Coordinate closely with the regional and global advocacy and policy teams and with advocacy and policy staff in IRC’s other country programs in the region;
  • In conjunction with relevant actors, closely monitor advocacy and policy debates and media pertaining to the Syrian crisis / Turkey, ensuring that relevant information is analyzed and disseminated in a timely and effective manner;
  • Provide policy screening for IRC materials related to key issues in Syria / Turkey;
  • Provide focal point contact for the regional Media Officer;
  • Respond to external inquiries on advocacy and policy issues including, when appropriate, briefing policymakers and media.
  • Support the Country Director and the country team during the Strategy Action Planning (SAP) process, including actively engaging with aspects of the assessment and drafting of various sections of the SAP.

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

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Advanced degree in relevant field
  • At least three years of professional experience crafting and delivering advocacy and policy responding to complex humanitarian crises
  • At least 2 years experience working internationally, preferably in a conflict setting
  • Demonstrated superior writing and editing skills
  • Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and reporting skills
  • Strong planning, organizational and interpersonal skills
  • Must be able to work independently while being a team player
  • Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose and values
  • Fluent in spoken and written English
  • Functional Arabic strongly preferred
  • Middle East regional experience preferred

Working Environment: The position will be based in Antakya, Turkey with frequent travel to Gaziantep. The Advocacy Advisor will live in shared housing.


Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=a2F0cmluYW1pbGxlci41NDI3MC40ODEwQGlyYy5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20


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