Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.
The International Rescue Committee UK (IRC UK) is part of the IRC global network, which has its headquarters in New York and London. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through over 20 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient.
The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.
IRC UK was established in London in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with European policy-makers on behalf of the people we serve. IRC UK comprises approximately 130 staff. Europe is one of the fastest growing regions for the IRC and currently consists of offices in Germany, Belgium, Sweden, the UK and Switzerland. IRC also runs programmes across five countries in Europe and provides technical assistance to more than 10 others.
THE POLICY & ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT
The European Policy and Advocacy Team, headed by the Executive Director of Policy & Advocacy for Europe, consists of 20 staff based across the UK, Belgium, Sweden, France and Germany. The core purpose of the Policy and Advocacy Department is to increase the IRC’s profile and influence, developing the IRC as a thought leader in Europe that can drive transformational policy change in the humanitarian and development sector. We aim to improve outcomes for people living in, and displaced by, conflict and crisis. The team works closely with IRC’s global teams of policy analysts and advocates based in Washington DC, New York, Geneva, Amman and in other priority countries and regions.
The Purpose of the Role
Increasing IRC’s profile and influence with policy-makers and decision-makers in the UK is key to meeting our goal of delivering improved outcomes for those affected by conflict and disaster around the world. Working in co-ordination with IRC colleagues across Europe and globally, this role will drive an integrated approach to planning and implementation of our influencing strategies that brings together digital and media communications, policy, advocacy and supporter mobilisation to advance IRC’s change objectives in the UK. The Advocacy Director will deepen relationships with UK Government, Parliament and Whitehall, and with policy-makers and political opinion formers such as think-tanks, as part of achieving policy change. S/he will provide overall leadership and vision, setting direction, ensuring the timely and effective implementation of priorities, inspiring and guiding the team.
Reporting jointly to the Executive Director of Policy and Advocacy, Europe, and the Executive Director, IRC UK, the post will work closely with IRC policy teams to ensure maximum political impact for our policy products and ensure policy development is part of an integrated theory of change. This will include developing and implementing a plan to increase IRC’s advocacy impact, mapping existing networks and identifying gaps, building and sustaining new relationships, producing briefings and other advocacy products, organising events, monitoring our impact and demonstrating clear results. It will also support the development of the organisation’s overall approach to strategic advocacy. Through building new relationships and increasing the IRC’s profile, it will influence policy-makers and decision-makers who hold responsibility for action on the issues of most concern to the IRC and the people we serve The post holder will also work alongside colleagues in other humanitarian, development and refugee agencies in both formal and informal coalitions to advance joint advocacy objectives.
The Director of Advocacy also its on the UK Management Team, and supports the Executive Director in setting out the strategic direction for IRC UK. This includes being part of the organizational planning, supporting with board activities and risk management.
Scope and Authority
Authority:
- This position has authority to brief senior leaders in the humanitarian and development sector as well as ensuring the IRC is represented at key stakeholder meetings;
- Represent the IRC at lobbying meetings with political targets and others at advocacy events and forums. This includes representing the Executive Director of Policy & Advocacy for Europe and/or the Executive Director of IRC UK;
- Act as convening chair of NGO consortium events as needed;
- Manage a team of advocates.
Responsibility for Resources:
- Strategic and operational management of the Advocacy Team;
- Work with other budget-holders and manage advocacy budget lines on priority issues/contexts;
- Project manage specific advocacy events with an appropriate budget.
Key Working Relationships
- Report to the Executive Director of Policy and Advocacy, Europe and the Executive Director, UK;
- Work together with the Policy Directors and Director of EU Policy and Advocacy, and with other Policy, Advocacy and Technical Unit colleagues in New York, Washington DC, Geneva and other key regions of the world to help develop clear and succinct advocacy messages and products from more complex policy and technical documents;
- Close coordination with other External Relations teams (communications and private fundraising) to deliver coherent and consistent messaging to our external audiences in line with the Department’s Theory of Change;
- Work closely with the European Strategic Partnerships Team on engagement with key public institutional donors and influencing donor policies affecting the IRC;
- Work with the UK Management Team;
- Close co-ordination with Technical Units and with Policy and Advocacy colleagues;
- Support relevant staff in the IRC President’s Office with key advocacy messages and initiatives involving the IRC President.