Advocacy Coordinator – Iraq | ReliefWeb

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 displaced 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.

More information about DRC operations in Iraq can be found 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 advocate for the Iraq programme

About the track

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

Advocacy

In close coordination with the CD and the main programs, perform the following:

• Lead the implementation of the advocacy strategy in collaboration with SMT and relevant technical program staff. This includes providing updates on the progress of the strategy and assessing its relevance at defined intervals.
• Provide advice to SMT on key advocacy priorities and opportunities in alignment with the advocacy strategy.
• Work closely with the CD to ensure regular contact with key government officials and embassies. Provide briefings, discussion topics and personal support as needed.
• Develop and update talking points, key messages and advocacy tasks for DRC Iraq; Support the development of messages and actions around key national policy responses and frameworks, as well as other factors such as UN coordination, protection concerns, influencing donor financing strategies and priorities, security, and current and future challenges affecting displaced populations and their access to humanitarian assistance and protection services;
• Maintain up-to-date crisis information documents on Iraq, describing the current context, protection concerns and regulatory situations;
• Design and support the production of advocacy products as outlined in the advocacy strategy for use at national, regional and international levels. Provide timely contextual updates and key messages to the DRC advocacy network, including in the region, DRC headquarters and representations.
• Build relationships with key advocacy targets, directly and by supporting the CD and other SMT members, as relevant, including within the UN, diplomatic/donor community, Iraqi institutions and Iraqi civil society. Keep SMT and programme colleagues informed of relevant policy developments and their implications for the aid response in Iraq.
• Work with the program head, Grants Department, and technical program staff to identify opportunities to incorporate advocacy activities into the program (and program proposals), including appropriate resources.
• Support area managers and program managers in formulating their key advocacy objectives and completing advocacy based on programmatic needs;
• Ensure consultation with civil society organisations and support civil society organisations in advocacy. Ensure that joint advocacy initiatives are pursued where possible;
• Identify and guide management on key advocacy opportunities and goals at national and regional levels;

Communication

• Lead communication tools and products, including press releases, background stories and case studies. Support programme colleagues at project sites in collecting high-quality case studies for external use, following the DRC principles of ‘do no harm’ and with informed consent.
• Sources and writing of internal and external publications;
• Draft social media messages for DRC regional channels, in line with an agreed strategy.
• Lead the development of donor requirements communications;

Representation

• Ensure that DRC MERO, HQ and DRC Representative Offices are aligned with the DRC-Iraq advocacy strategy and understand and promote DRC’s requests;
• Work with key technical staff at embassies, the UN, NGOs and other interlocutors in Iraq to ensure that the 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 to achieve their priority advocacy goals in both emergency and development contexts. This should include guidance on the meaningful and safe participation of beneficiaries in advocacy and communication;
• Build networks of key informants and stakeholders within Iraq and in relation to the Iraqi context;
• Represent DRC in advocacy-related and (where relevant) regional advocacy forums or as otherwise delegated by the CD, including the Advocacy Working Group.

Other tasks

• The ability to act as an English-speaking spokesperson for DRC Iraq if required;

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be modified based on operational needs, but remain consistent with the overall purpose of the role.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 4 years of relevant experience. In addition we also expect the following:

Required

• Minimum 1 year of experience in advocacy/research/policy, 2 years of experience with INGOs or NNGOs, ideally focused on displacement, relief operations (humanitarian or development) or human rights.
• Experience in influence and advocacy work, including lobbying, policy development and information provision on 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.
• Cultural awareness and the ability to quickly build relationships 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 organize a significant workload consisting of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.
• Strong communication skills (both oral and written) and interpersonal skills, with experience in coordinating multicultural teams.
• Commitment to the values ​​of the Danish Refugee Council.

Desirable

• In-depth knowledge of aid delivery in Iraq and the role of international NGOs, Iraqi civil society and the United Nations.
• Extensive knowledge of human rights and international humanitarian law.
• Insight into UN and donor activities at national and regional levels.
• Excellent skills in advocating with government officials.
• High Quality Writing Skills in Arabic

Desired characteristics and qualifications

• Demonstrable skills in advocacy work;
• Preferably comparable work experience at an INGO in the region;
• Previous experience in media, media relations, marketing or journalism is an advantage

Education

Relevant degree, preferably a Master’s degree, in public policy, social work, communications, political science or extensive experience in research.

Languages

Fluent English

Knowledge of Arabic and Kurdish is an advantage

Report to: Country Director

Location: Erbil or Baghdad with significant travel to field locations in Federal Iraq and KRI

Key stakeholders

• Internal: Country Director, Senior Management Team, Programme Team.
• External: Representatives of agencies, representatives of government at appropriate levels

In this role you will be expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

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

To collaborate: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take responsibility and initiative and strive for innovation.

Communicate: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrate integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct with respect to our values ​​and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

WE OFFER

• Contract duration: 6 months (extendable subject to availability of financing and satisfaction with performance)
• Salary scale: NMG (for nationals); NMG level 1 (for internationals)
• Start date: November 1, 2024
• Comprehensive health insurance for staff, partner and up to two children under the age of 18.
• Personal accident insurance covers the risk of an occupational accident during working hours.
• Psychosocial support for staff and family members.
• Learning and development opportunities for professional growth.

Salary and conditions are in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s terms of employment for national staff. Please consult drc.ngo under Vacancies.