Director of Public Affairs

Job posted by: International Rescue Committee (IRC)-USA - Tue, 25 Nov 2014

Job Details:

Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC)-USA

Deadline Sat, 24 Jan 2015

Job type: Permanent

Location: Jordan

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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.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 6.5 people are internally displaced and 9.3 million are in need of humanitarian assistance. Today’s 3.25 million refugees are expected to increase to 3.5 million by the end of 2014. 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 $100 million, a rapidly expanding portfolio and more than 1100 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.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Public Affairs is a key member of IRC’s regional senior management and global Policy and Practice teams, charged with strategically positioning IRC on key humanitarian policy debates and raising its profile locally and internationally. He/she oversees the development of appropriate, coherent and compelling messaging at local, national and international levels, with the aim of influencing the policies or practices of key actors, enhancing the impact and increasing the coverage of IRC’s work.

 

The Director of Public Affairs works closely and collaboratively with a number of stakeholders, including regional and country program staff, global public policy and advocacy staff, and global communications staff. The Director supervises the SRR Media Officer and the SRR Communications and Information Manager, and supports advocacy focal points in country programs. He/she reports to the Regional Director and works closely with the Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy and the Vice President of Communications, who contribute to the Director’s annual workplan and performance assessment. The Director is based in Amman with frequent travel in the region, and occasionally to New York, Washington D.C., London, Brussels and Geneva.

 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Overall Strategy and Management:
  • In coordination with the Regional Director, lead the development and implementation of policy, advocacy and communications strategies for IRC in the region
  • Inform organizational strategy and operations in the region by providing robust context and policy analysis
  • Build and maintain relationships with diverse like-minded organizations and individuals to develop networks and increase collective impact
  • As the lead for strategic messaging, line manage the Media Officer and the Communications and Information Officer
  • Conduct or commission research and analysis to support the implementation of policy, advocacy and communications strategies.

 

Advocacy and Policy:

  • Working with the guidance of the Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, develop and drive policy and advocacy messages and products for in-country, regional and international stakeholders and policymakers, ensuring that field priorities and perspectives are integrated
  • In conjunction with country program staff and the global advocacy and policy and communications teams, closely monitor humanitarian policy debates and media pertaining to the Syria crisis, ensuring that relevant information is analyzed and disseminated in a timely and effective manner
  • Alert the Regional Director and VP to relevant policy developments
  • Provide analysis and produce content for executive and regional leadership
  • Write policy and advocacy material including talking points, briefing notes, position papers and advocacy reports
  • Provide policy screening for IRC materials related to key issues in the region
  • In coordination with the Regional Director, represent IRC in regional advocacy, policy and coordination forums, as well as at key lobbying meetings
  • Coordinate and support the policy work of country-level advocacy and policy staff, advocacy focal points and senior program staff providing training when necessary
  • Respond to external inquiries on policy issues, including briefing policymakers and media

 

  • Communications and Media:
  • Working with the guidance of the Vice President of Communications, develop and deliver a compelling Communications storyline/narrative for IRC in the region
  • Partner with Global Communications to develop an annual regional communications plan that delivers on IRC priorities, i.e., demonstrates how IRC is expanding its reach and increasing its impact in the region. Elements of the plan will include social media strategy, target regional speaking opportunities for IRC leaders, Communications-driven partnerships, identification and planning for major IRC milestones in the region, and measurable metrics related to IRC-driven features in already-identified priority/top-tier regional (including Arabic) and global news outlets
  • Partner with Global Communications to manage reactive messaging, and act as regional spokesperson as required
  • Work with the Regional Communications and Information Manager to ensure that website and communications material is compelling, accurate, updated, and in line with IRC’s strategy in the region.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities: Regional Media Officer (Beirut); Regional Communications and Information Manager (Amman)

Key Working Relationships

Internal: SRR Regional Director; VP, Public Policy and Advocacy; VP, Communications; SRR regional team; SRR Country Directors; global policy staff; global communications staff; HQ staff as appropriate.

External: Host country government officials, public and private donor agencies, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, foreign governments, media representatives.

 

Professional Standards

IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the 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 required
  • 10-15 years of increasingly responsible professional experience responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations, with at least 5 years crafting and delivering policy, advocacy and media strategies and messaging
  • Minimum 7 years of supervisory experience in a high-performance environment
  • Solid communications and media relations experience required
  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, with demonstrated outstanding writing skills
  • Superb interpersonal, communication, relationship-building and negotiation skills
  • Proven ability to persuade and influence diverse audiences
  • Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and reporting skills
  • Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes
  • Previous supervisory experience required
  • Ability to navigate interpersonal and inter-departmental organizational dynamics to keep focus on goals and products
  • Must be willing and able to travel regularly within the region and occasionally internationally
  • 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 with minimal supervision, while being a team player
  • A keen understanding of political complexities in the Middle East region is required; previous experience working in the Middle East is strongly preferred

 

Other Information: Amman is currently not assessed as a high-risk environment and it remains a generally safe city as long as IRC security protocols are observed. The post is fully accompanied and housing will be provided by IRC according to the IRC Jordan housing policy. Travel at approximately 20%-25% of the Director’s time is anticipated.


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