Advocacy, Policy and Communication Coordinator – Lebanon

Background

IRC opened an office in Lebanon in 2012 and launched humanitarian assistance programs. More than a decade later, IRC is now active throughout Lebanon, with headquarters in Beirut and field offices in Qobayat, Zahle, Tripoli and Mount Lebanon. IRC’s programs help both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese people across multiple sectors: education, livelihoods, protection, women’s protection and empowerment, and child protection.

Scope of work:

The IRC is seeking a Policy, Advocacy and Communications (PAC) Coordinator for the Lebanon Country Program based in Beirut. Under the supervision of the Country Director and the Regional PAC Director, the PAC Coordinator will lead the design and implementation of the PAC strategy for Lebanon. The PAC Coordinator will be part of the Lebanon Senior Management Team and will work with country leadership to leverage IRC’s influence with external stakeholders; elevate client voices; contribute to meaningful policy change; support principled engagement; and promote IRC’s work, using programmatic evidence and aligned with program objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Under the leadership of the Regional PAC Director, you will define the IRC Lebanon Policy, Advocacy and Communications (PAC) strategy and the policy priorities for the IRC in Lebanon. You will lead the implementation of the strategy in the field and advise and support colleagues in world capitals in implementing the strategy with objectives in the Middle East, Europe and the US.
• Be a member of the Lebanon Senior Management Team (SMT) to ensure a strategic approach to PAC and contribute to the strategic direction of IRC’s work in the country.
• Produce high-quality public and private policy and advocacy materials, including briefings, position papers, discussion points, letters, and advocacy reports.
• Work with colleagues to support the production of IRC’s programmatic thematic reports, with a focus on IRC’s monthly protection monitoring reports, through assessments of red lines and sensitivities, and inputting relevant contextual information.
• Consult regularly with in-country stakeholders on issues of concern, including the UN, donors, diplomatic missions and peer agencies. Expand the IRC’s bilateral relationships with government counterparts.
• Ensure a thorough stakeholder inventory and an up-to-date contact list of key target groups in the country.
• Promote a principled approach to advocacy, policy and communications among relevant internal stakeholders and ensure that external messaging is evidence-based and driven by realities on the ground.
• In collaboration with the in-country programme staff and global advocacy and communications teams, you will closely monitor humanitarian policy debates and media coverage relating to Lebanon, ensuring that relevant information is analysed and disseminated in a timely and effective manner.
• Provide analysis to the SMT and, where relevant, provide input to high-level meetings.
• Represent the IRC at humanitarian coordination forums, conferences, lobby meetings and other events as requested; or provide talking points to other senior representatives, including the Country Director.
• As requested, act as a spokesperson for the IRC media, so that we can highlight our clients’ problems and the solutions needed to alleviate their needs. Manage the PAC department, including budget, staff and output. Line management of the Senior Communications Coordinator of the IRC Lebanon.
• Ensure capacity building on PAC among field staff and develop the capacity of national staff to implement impactful advocacy and policy interventions.

Professional standards

The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values ​​and principles set out in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service and Accountability. In line with these values, the IRC implements and enforces policies relating to Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity and Anti-Retaliation.

Key working relationships

• Direct reporting to: Country Director
• Management in collaboration with: Regional Director of Policy, Advocacy and Communications
• Management of: IRC Lebanon Senior Communications Officer
• Close collaboration with: Program Coordinators, Field Coordinators, Regional Context Advisor, field staff, Global Advocacy and Communications colleagues

Required experience/qualifications/skills:

• At least 5 years of progressive, responsible professional experience in drafting and implementing policy and advocacy work in response to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations with strong interlinkages between development and nexus.
• Ability to link evidence from programmatic work to the policy agenda and identify emerging trends.
• Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and representation skills.
• Fluent English (written and spoken) is essential, with exceptionally strong writing skills a must. Arabic language skills are preferred.
• Ability to navigate interpersonal/interdepartmental dynamics to maintain focus on goals and products.
• Ability to function well in rapidly changing external contexts and under significant administrative and programmatic pressures.
• Demonstrable expertise in applying a gender lens analysis.
• Culturally sensitive, skilled and interested in working with a multi-ethnic team.
• Advanced degree in relevant field desired.
• Experience with training and capacity building of staff is an advantage.
• Experience in the Middle East and North Africa region is preferred.

IRC is an equal opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of their merits, without regard to race, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.