Regional Advocacy Coordinator – IRC – Kenya

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive, recover and gain control of 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, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster.

BACKGROUND

The IRC’s Horn, East Africa and Zimbabwe (HEAZ) region consists of some of the world’s most complex ongoing crises – South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and Burundi – as well as the neighboring countries most-impacted by the conflict and natural disaster induced migration caused by these crises – Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Zimbabwe, which is an increasingly fragile state, is also part of this dynamic region. Given its regional footprint, IRC is at the forefront in tackling the complex humanitarian issues affecting the region. IRC serves as co-chair to the Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS) based out of Nairobi, Kenya. IRC is also member to the global Solutions Alliance, based out of Geneva, and has been a founding member of the Solutions Alliance Somalia, of which we are participant to the Steering Committee. IRC is an active participant in fora of the Interagency Working Group (IAWG) and other regional refugee and emergency response working groups in Nairobi.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Regional Advocacy Coordinator is a key member of IRC’s HEAZ regional support team and the Global Policy & Advocacy team, charged with strategically positioning IRC on key humanitarian policy debates and raising its profile locally, regionally and internationally. As a member of the regional team, s/he will work closely with country programs throughout the region to provide targeted support in developing local advocacy and policy solutions and building the capacity of country program teams to advocate on priority issues. The Regional Advocacy Coordinator works closely and collaboratively with these internal stakeholders as well as broad range of external stakeholders. S/he will develop appropriate, coherent and compelling messaging with the aim of influencing the policies and practices of key actors, enhancing the impact and increasing the coverage of IRC’s work.

S/he reports to the Deputy Regional Director and works closely with the Global Policy & Advocacy’s International Programs Director and advocacy officers in the U.S. and Europe. The position is based in Nairobi with travel in the region, and occasionally to U.S. or European cities.

SCOPE OF WORK

Using real-time, credible data, facilitate the development and implementation of influencing strategies and policies within the region in coordination with country programs and regional teams; ensuring consistency in messaging and information flow from the local to global arena;
Represent the IRC in regional fora, and develop or strengthen networks/alliances to push forward topics of shared concern within the humanitarian community – bridging understanding of key issues from the local/national, to regional, to global level;
Foster an expanded and coordinated dialogue about improvements to international humanitarian and development architecture and corresponding systems and tools for more effective response.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist in developing and implementing regional advocacy strategies and ensure timely revisions as the context evolves
Ensure that country priorities are integrated into appropriate strategy documents and plans
Help develop the capacities of country programs on influencing response in complex contexts
Work closely with advocacy and communications staff in Washington DC, New York, London, Brussels and Geneva, sharing the strategy and other information
Closely monitor policy debates and ensure relevant information is disseminated to advocacy colleagues throughout the IRC
Act as IRC spokesperson on advocacy issues where appropriate and take part in relevant country and international policy/advocacy fora as guided by key stakeholders
Support on qualitative research projects within the region to ensure that advocacy themes are shaped by new evidence being generated
REQUIREMENTS:

· At least three years of experience in delivering advocacy and policy development work responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict environments;

· Must have at least five years of professional experience in humanitarian affairs; protection; refugee affairs; and international human rights;

· Demonstrated creativity, ability to apply innovative thinking and problem solving skills;

· Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and writing skills;

· Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential;

· Must be willing to travel to remote sites under challenging conditions;

· Ability to work well in unstable security environments, and under significant administrative and programmatic pressures.

Positions Reports to: Deputy Regional Director, HEAZ

Works Closely With: Global Policy & Advocacy team in the U.S. and Europe