Advocacy and Communication Coordinator

Erbil or Baghdad

In 2003, , DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. Today, DRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here: Iraq | DRC Danish Refugee Council

The Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Advocacy and Communication Coordinator

About the job

Support the DRC Iraq program in advocating for the rights and protection of the displaced population in Iraq by leading advocacy efforts in partnership with other stakeholders, NGOs, UN Agencies, and working groups. Ensure the expertise and impact of DRC are effectively communicated across channels and support the organisation’s program and strategy. . Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Advocacy

Conduct the following in close consultation with the CD and the Head of Programs:

• Lead the delivery of the advocacy strategy in coordination with SMT and relevant technical programme staff, including providing updates on progress towards the strategy and reviewing relevance at defined intervals.
• Develop and update talking points, topline messaging, and advocacy tasks for DRC Iraq; Support in developing messaging for and actions around key national policy responses and frameworks, as well as other factors such as UN coordination, protection concerns, funding for the response, security and current and future challenges that have an impact on displaced populations and their access to humanitarian assistance and protection services;
• Keep updated crisis info documents on Iraq, detailing the current context, protection concerns, and regulatory situations;
• Draft and support the production of advocacy products as outlined in the advocacy strategy for use at the country, regional, and international levels; provide timely contextual updates and key messages to the DRC advocacy network, including in the region, HQ, and DRC representations.
• Build relationships with key advocacy targets directly and through supporting the CD and other SMT members as relevant, including within the UN, donor community, institutions in Iraq, and Iraqi civil society. Keep SMT and programme colleagues informed on relevant policy developments and their implications for the aid response in Iraq.
• Work with the Head of Programme, Grants Department, and technical programme staff to identify opportunities to build advocacy activities into the programme (and programme proposals) with necessary resources included.
• Support Area managers and program managers to articulate their top priority advocacy objectives and complete advocacy based on programmatic needs;
• Identify and guide the management on key advocacy opportunities and targets at national and regional levels;

Communications

• Take the lead on communications tools and products, including press releases, feature stories, and case studies; support programme colleagues in project locations to collect high-quality case studies for external use, following DRC do-no-harm principles and with informed consent.
• Source and write internal and external publications;
• Manage DRC Iraq social media channels by an agreed strategy and provide content for global and regional social media channels.
• Lead in the development of communications for donor requirements;

Representation

• Ensure DRC MERO, HQ, and DRC representation offices are in line with DRC Iraq advocacy strategy and understand and promote its asks;
• Liaise with key UN, NGO and other interlocutors in Iraq to ensure DRC has up-to-date information on the humanitarian situation and response in the region;
• Support country management and other programme staff in their work, including developing a plan for achieving their priority advocacy objectives in both an emergency and development context. This should include guidelines on the meaningful and safe participation of beneficiaries in advocacy and communications;
• Build networks of key informants and stakeholders within Iraq and regarding the Iraqi context;
• Represent DRC in advocacy-related and (as relevant) regional fora related to advocacy or as otherwise delegated by the CD, including the Advocacy Working Group.

Other Tasks

• The possibility to act as an English spokesperson for DRC Iraq when necessary;
• Support the senior management team in taking minutes, following up, and coordinating action plans for monthly meetings.

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs, but they will remain in line with the role’s overall purpose.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 4 years of similar experience. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Strong knowledge of the aid response response in Iraq and the role of international NGOs, Iraqi civil society, and the United Nations.
• Significant experience in advocacy, ideally focusing on displacement, aid responses (humanitarian or development), or human rights. s.
• Experience in influencing and advocacy work, including lobbying, policy development and information provision in humanitarian issues.
• Experience and strong skills in developing and implementing advocacy strategies and campaigns.
• High-level analytical and strategic thinking skills. High-quality writing skills in English and Arabic.
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise, remain responsive, and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure.
• Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Strong communication (written and spoken) and interpersonal skills, with experience coordinating multicultural teams.
• Commitment to Danish Refugee Council values

Desirable

• Extensive knowledge of human rights and international humanitarian law.
• Understanding of UN and donor operations at country and regional level.
• Excellent skills in advocating towards government officials.

Preferred attributes and qualifications

• Proven skills in advocacy work;
• Preferably, similar working experience within an INGO in the region;
• Previous experience in media, media relations, marketing, or journalism an advantage;

Languages:

• Fluent in English and Arabic
• Knowledge of Kurdish an advantage

Education:

Relevant degree

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

WE OFFER

• Contract Length: 12 months
• Salary Band: F (non-management)
• Start Date: As soon as possible
• Comprehensive health insurance for staff, spouse, and up to two children under 18.
• Personal Accident insurance coverage in the event of work-related accidents during working hours.
• Psychosocial support for staff and family members.
• Learning & Development opportunities for professional growth.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff. Please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 13 April 2024

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.