Director of Advocacy

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization that helps people affected by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. Established in 1933, the IRC operates in over 40 countries and has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. The organization is dedicated to providing assistance to those in need, advocating for their rights, and promoting policies that improve their circumstances. The IRC's mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The organization is committed to a collaborative approach, working with local partners and communities to ensure that aid is effective and sustainable. The IRC also emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion in its workforce and programs, striving to create a culture that respects and values the contributions of all individuals.

Job Overview:
As the Director of Advocacy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the IRC's advocacy efforts to align with key priorities that address crisis situations and promote solutions on a global scale. Your primary responsibility will be to develop and implement influence strategies that leverage IRC's programmatic insights and research evidence to inspire collective action among stakeholders. You will be expected to have a deep understanding of current federal legislative and policy trends in the United States, as well as the ability to navigate the political landscape effectively. This position requires you to engage with a variety of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian entities, to build relationships and advocate for IRC's priorities. You will also be responsible for crafting specific advocacy messages tailored to donor governments and ensuring that IRC's global priorities are integrated into advocacy strategies. Your role will involve collaboration with various teams within the IRC to ensure a cohesive approach to advocacy and influence.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of advocacy strategies for specific policy goals, ensuring alignment with IRC's influence priorities.
• Collaborate with policy leads to maximize opportunities for IRC to advance its advocacy objectives.
• Develop U.S. power maps for key policy issues to identify influence priorities and cultivate relationships within the U.S. Government.
• Engage with Congressional representatives and other key stakeholders to support IRC's credibility and profile.
• Track and analyze legislative and executive branch positions relevant to IRC's work, translating policy asks into actionable legislative requests.
• Contribute to policy generation by providing U.S.-specific analysis that enhances the credibility and efficacy of IRC's solutions.
• Support the communications team in developing advocacy materials and strategies tailored to the U.S. market.
• Act as a spokesperson for IRC on focused advocacy areas and engage with legislative and governmental staffers.
• Foster a positive team culture by collaborating openly with colleagues and supporting their work. 1
• Potentially supervise Senior Advisors or other staff members.

Required Qualifications:

• A degree in a relevant field such as Public Policy, Law, or International Relations.
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy and advocacy strategy development, with a focus on creativity and strategic thinking.
• A minimum of 10-12 years of experience working on complex humanitarian and/or development issues.
• Knowledge of U.S. Government functioning and prior work experience with the U.S. Government or Congress is a plus.
• A strong network of influencers and policymakers, with a deep understanding of global issues related to the humanitarian field.
• Excellent public speaking and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex material into coherent narratives that resonate with policymakers.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines and manage competing demands effectively.
• Self-motivated and able to work collaboratively with diverse teams.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a degree in a relevant field such as Public Policy, Law, or International Relations. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of advocacy work and the legislative processes involved in influencing policy decisions.

Experience:
The position requires a significant level of experience, specifically 10-12 years in advocacy and humanitarian or development work. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing advocacy strategies and influencing policy at high levels, particularly within the U.S. Government. Experience working on complex humanitarian issues and engaging with diverse stakeholders is crucial for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as the role involves extensive communication with U.S. policymakers and stakeholders. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly if they relate to the regions where IRC operates or the communities it serves.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Washington, DC, and candidates must reside in the DC area. The role is hybrid, allowing for a combination of remote and in-office work. The compensation for this position ranges from $130,000 to $153,000, depending on various factors such as the labor market, job type, and individual candidate experience. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. Benefits include paid time off, medical and dental insurance, a retirement savings plan, and an Employee Assistance Program.