Advocacy Advisor

The overall purpose of the role:

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 from DRC is effectively communicated across channels, and supports the organization’s program and strategy.

Responsibilities:

Advocacy

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

• Review and update advocacy strategy for Iraq on a quarterly basis and provide summary of changes to the SMT and the program teams;
• Develop and update talking points, topline messaging, and advocacy tasks for DRC Iraq;
• Develop and recommend media strategies and opportunities in line with advocacy objectives;
• Keep an updated crisis info documents on Iraq, detailing the current context, protection concerns, and regulatory situations;
• Establish strategic relationships with media outlets to ensure push of key advocacy messages and communication materials;
• Support Area managers and program managers to articulate their top priority advocacy objectives and complete advocacy based on programmatic needs;
• 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;
• Remain up-to-date on key issues at the national level, through engagement with relevant stakeholders, in order to inform senior management and program staff;
• Identify and guide the management on key advocacy opportunities and targets at national and regional levels;
• Draft and support the production of advocacy products as outlined in the advocacy strategy for use at the country, regional and international levels;
• Engage with the regional office and the HQ advocacy offices on shared advocacy messaging and campaigns;
• When necessary ensure advocacy products are signed-off according to DRCs international sign-off procedures.

Communications

• Take the lead on communications tools and products including press releases, feature stories, case studies;
• Source and write internal and external publications;
• Lead in the production of annual report;
• Production of media guidelines;
• Lead in development of communications for donor requirements;

Representation

• Ensure DRC MERO, HQ, Brussels and Geneva 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 development of 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 for 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 minute taking and follow up and coordination of action plans for monthly meetings.

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

Experience and technical competencies:

Essential:

• Prior experience working in humanitarian-development contexts or fragile states.
• Significant prior experience working in advocacy on humanitarian issues, refugee rights, human rights, and/or development issues.
• Experience of influencing and advocacy work including lobbying, policy development and information provision in humanitarian issues.
• Excellent skills in advocating towards government officials.
• Experience of and strong skills in developing and implementing humanitarian advocacy strategies and campaigns.
• Attention to detail.
• Extensive knowledge of human rights and international humanitarian law.
• Understanding of UN and donor operations at country and regional level.
• High level analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people.
• Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and 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 in coordinating multicultural teams.
• Commitment to Danish Refugee Council values

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;

Education: 

• University degree in communications, law, Human Rights or a related field
• Master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage 

Languages: 

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

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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: 1 Year
• Salary Band: NMG Level 1
• Start Date: 16 July 2023

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff.

 Diversity & Inclusion:  DRC Iraq is committed to promoting an inclusive work environment according to our Age, Gender, and Diversity approach (AGD). We aim to have a more diversified leadership structure creating opportunities for qualified women to take on managerial roles. We also continuously work to make our workplace more accessible for persons with specific needs. We offer benefits related to psychosocial support, health insurance, maternity and paternity leave, child sick leave, and lactation breaks. As part of our commitment to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, we strongly encourage applications from female candidates, persons living with disabilities, as well as representatives of minorities.