Policy, Communications and Advocacy Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization dedicated to helping people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crises. Established to provide life-saving assistance and long-term support, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, employing approximately 15,000 staff members. In the Middle East alone, NRC has over 3,000 staff working to assist those affected by conflict in countries such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, and Palestine. The organization focuses on core competencies including Shelter, Education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to support vulnerable displaced populations. NRC is committed to defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that their needs are met in challenging environments. The organization fosters a culture of empowerment, encouraging employees to share ideas and take responsibility, while also promoting diversity and inclusion across all levels of its operations.

Job Overview:
The Policy, Communications and Advocacy Manager will play a pivotal role in leading NRC’s advocacy efforts in Syria. This position requires a strategic leader who will develop and implement comprehensive influencing, media, communications, and visibility strategies that align with NRC’s programmatic priorities. The manager will be responsible for driving a humanitarian advocacy agenda that resonates both domestically and internationally, ensuring that the advocacy strategy is in sync with regional and global priorities. The role involves collaborating with various teams to implement advocacy plans effectively at the field level, thereby enhancing NRC’s influence and visibility in humanitarian discussions. The successful candidate will be a passionate leader with a strong background in humanitarian advocacy and policy, capable of managing teams and fundraising efforts to support NRC’s mission.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Policy, Communications and Advocacy Manager will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: leading the development of key policy positions and advocacy messages that align with NRC’s global and regional strategies; ensuring oversight and approval of all influencing, media, and communication products in Syria according to NRC guidelines; building and maintaining relationships with advocacy and media colleagues in other organizations, including NGOs, UN agencies, and civil society, to foster collaboration on joint advocacy efforts; providing advocacy, policy, and communication input into program proposals to secure funding for advocacy and communications activities; working closely with the media and communications coordinator to ethically raise issues and amplify the voices of displacement-affected individuals; supervising media and communications activities to ensure alignment with team priorities and compliance with NRC’s media guidelines; and actively participating in the strategic direction of the country program, providing analysis and reports to senior management, and advising on program and policy-based advocacy. The manager will also undertake any other tasks reasonably delegated by the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 4 years of experience working in advocacy within the humanitarian sector, with at least 3 years in a managerial capacity. A Bachelor’s degree in political science, journalism, law, or a related field is required, while a Master’s degree is considered an added advantage. Applicants should have experience working in complex and volatile contexts, particularly with humanitarian protection programs and advocacy. Professional knowledge of humanitarian and protection principles is essential, along with excellent networking and negotiation skills to foster effective working relationships. Strong writing and analytical skills are necessary, with a proven history of producing high-quality communications materials under tight deadlines. Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory, and candidates should demonstrate excellent teamwork skills, organizational abilities, and sound political judgment on sensitive issues.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in political science, journalism, law, or any relevant field. A Master’s degree is highly desirable and will be considered an asset in the selection process. The educational qualifications should reflect a strong foundation in the principles of advocacy, communication, and humanitarian work, equipping the candidate with the necessary skills to navigate the complexities of the role effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of experience in advocacy within the humanitarian field, with at least 3 years in a managerial role. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in complex and volatile environments, demonstrating their ability to adapt and respond to challenging situations. Experience with humanitarian protection programs and a solid understanding of humanitarian policy and advocacy are crucial for success in this role. Additionally, candidates should have experience managing teams and collaborating with senior management teams to drive advocacy efforts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, both in written and verbal communication. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage, as it may enhance the ability to engage with local stakeholders and communities effectively. Proficiency in additional languages may also be beneficial, depending on the context of the work and the communities served.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Damascus, Syria, with a contract duration of 12 months. The role may require travel of approximately 30% to 40%. The salary and benefits will be determined based on NRC’s national or international salary scale, and the position is open to both national and international candidates. NRC is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative thinking and provides employees at all levels with the opportunity to take responsibility and contribute to the mission of assisting those in need.