Policy and Communications Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent humanitarian organization founded in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein. It operates in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, focusing on restoring health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment to individuals affected by conflict and disaster. The IRC is recognized as one of the largest international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) dedicated to humanitarian aid, striving to help people survive, regain control over their lives, and strengthen their communities. The organization is committed to delivering lasting impact and fostering hope and dignity for millions of individuals worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Policy and Communications Advisor (PCA) for Education plays a crucial role in supporting the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Senior Director and the Education Leadership Team (ELT) in executing the IRC’s strategy aimed at influencing external policies and practices. This position is pivotal in ensuring that IRC’s programming, policy, and research effectively impact clients. The PCA will engage in policy advocacy, develop presentations and think pieces for diverse audiences, and represent the Education Technical Unit. The role involves identifying strategic partnerships, attending relevant meetings, and ensuring effective communication of the Education Unit’s work across various channels. The Advisor will also collaborate closely with the Senior Director and be part of the Education Senior Management Team, acting as the primary liaison with IRC’s External Relations and Communications teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the delivery of IRC’s influence strategy for education by collaborating with the Senior Director and ELT to implement strategic directions for influencing external policies and practices. This includes identifying opportunities for policy advocacy, preparing presentations, and raising internal awareness of IRC’s education initiatives.
• Execute the Global Education Strategy by coordinating strategic opportunities, drafting materials for presentations, and maintaining a library of policy documents.
• Act as the liaison for the Education Technical Unit with IRC’s External Relations and Communications teams, ensuring accurate representation of education initiatives and supporting the review of communications materials.
• Provide coordination support to the Senior Director for Education by organizing meetings and ensuring effective follow-up on opportunities and requests for senior leadership engagement.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong policy and advocacy skills, with a background in development or humanitarian settings. A minimum of 6-8 years of relevant experience in a donor, NGO, or comparable international agency is required. Familiarity with donors and national contexts, particularly in education and humanitarian settings, is essential. Experience in fundraising from various sources and producing communications materials for diverse audiences is also necessary.

Educational Background:
A first degree in a relevant field is required for this position, ensuring that candidates have a foundational understanding of the issues at hand and the skills necessary to perform effectively in the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 6-8 years of relevant experience, including field and programmatic experience in donor organizations, NGOs, or similar international agencies. Candidates should have a proven track record in education, humanitarian, and transitional contexts, with experience in policy advocacy and fundraising.

Languages:
Excellent spoken and written English is essential for this role. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to IRC’s work, such as Arabic, French, Spanish, or Kiswahili, is strongly preferred, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in diverse contexts.

Additional Notes:
This position is expected to conclude on October 31, 2028, and is open to candidates located in and legally authorized to work in the United Kingdom or Germany. The role may require travel, and compensation for the position in London/UK ranges from GBP 52,210 to GBP 61,999 annually, depending on various factors such as labor market conditions, job type, and individual candidate experience. The IRC emphasizes adherence to professional standards and core values, including integrity, service, equality, and accountability, ensuring a safe and supportive working environment.