The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC has been present in Central Africa previously known as the Great Lakes region- and is currently operating in Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Tanzania and Cameroon. The IRC in Central Africa region implements programs through the arc of crisis, in emergency, humanitarian and development contexts. As an organization the IRC uses its influence and raises the voice of our clients to effect meaningful change.

The Central Africa region works in collaboration with the Global Advocacy and Influence team, which uses the power of IRC’s ideas and influence to solve the biggest challenges facing IRC clients across the globe, including in Central Africa.

Job Overview / Summary:

The Regional Advocacy and Communications Coordinator will lead the development and implementation of the Central Africa regional advocacy and communication strategy and provide strategic guidance and support to advocacy efforts at a country and regional level as well as contributing to global communications objectives with the global communications team. The Senior Coordinator will be responsible for developing policy positions & advocacy plans across regional and sub-regional themes, overseeing internal & external communication needs for the region and strengthening the IRC’s position in regional and international fora. Senior Coordinator will develop and implement activities to enhance principled humanitarian action; drive transformative, measurable improvement in the effectiveness of aid; and raise attention to the dynamics affecting communities in Central Africa.

Main Responsibilities:

• Advocacy Strategy: Lead advocacy strategy and messaging development and implementation for Central Africa regional and country-level policy goals, developing global advocacy messaging and supporting the influence efforts of Country Offices 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, including power mapping and tactical planning.

• Communications Strategy: Convene, collaborate with, and lead a dynamic range of IRC teams across the Central Africa Region in collaboration with the Associate Director for Global Communications, to develop and implement a communication strategy for Central Africa that drives awareness of the crises in the region, as well as IRC’s impact and advocacy, enhancing the IRC’s reputation, supporting fundraising objectives, and influencing target policy makers.

• Communications: Oversee production of polished and accessible external facing products including reports and press releases to inform key audiences including civil society, press and media about IRC activities and the needs of displaced people in CA and to influence policy decisions.

• Internal Collaboration: Facilitate mechanisms to ensure sharing of information and analysis, and alignment of policy/advocacy messaging and positioning across country programs, the regional office and global headquarters. Serve as the primary point of contact for influence and communications in the region. Ensure that information about the IRC’s response activities in CA is disseminated to regional and HQ staff as appropriate.

• Policy Engagement and Agenda-Setting: Develop regional and country-specific policy agendas, in collaboration with internal and external experts, that respond to identified challenges in the humanitarian/development sectors and are aligned with S100 and one another. Develop analysis and position papers to inform advocacy work for the region and globally where relevant.

• Spokesperson assistance: Assist IRC’s official spokespersons (Regional & Country senior leaders) by providing briefings on the situation in Central Africa’s sub-regional contexts 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, resulting in high-quality, top-tier coverage.

• Advocacy: Engage in regional and national dialogues with key policymakers and stakeholders to pursue country, regional and global advocacy priorities. Maintain active working relationships with external national, regional and global stakeholders including other INGOs, UN Agencies, think tanks, analysts and community-based organizations.

Key working relationships

• Position reports to: CA Deputy Regional Director

• Position indirectly reports to: VP of Global Advocacy and Influence

• Position supervises: N/A

• Key internal relationships: Central Africa RVP, Country Directors and Deputy Director -Programs, Global Advocacy and Influence colleagues particularly the Director of Regional Advocacy, Global Policy and Solutions colleagues, Global and country-based communications colleagues, and relevant subject matter experts including Technical Advisors, Frontline colleagues etc.

• Key external relationships: Regional and national advocacy fora, international and national NGOs, UN agencies.

Requirements

Education:

• Degree in Law, Government, Political Science, International Relations, Strategic Studies, or related discipline.

• Fluency in French & English is essential both oral and written.

Work experience:

• 5-8 years of experience working on humanitarian, development and/or foreign policy issues. At least two years of experience living and working overseas, preferably in Central Africa region.

• Demonstrated experience in advocacy and communications efforts in relevant contexts with a focus on creativity and strategic thinking.

Demonstrated skills and competencies:

• 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 and an ability to cultivate and maintain a personal network of sources and contacts.

• Knowledge of humanitarian system and assistance, blockages to humanitarian access and solutions to protracted displacement, particularly in the Central Africa context including the Central Sahel region.

• Understanding of international relief and development issues, such as the role of international stakeholders, including regional institutions, the UN, donors.

• Strong communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate successfully in easily understandable language with diverse individuals and groups and within a fast-paced humanitarian/rapid onset emergency setting is desirable

• 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.

**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.