Advocacy Coordinator
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 displacement-affected 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.
Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here:
Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Advocacy Coordinator to join our programme in Iraq.
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 of DRC are effectively communicated across channels in support of the organisation’s program and strategy.
Duties and Responsibilities
Advocacy Conduct the following in close consultation with the CD and the Head of Programs:
Lead the delivery of the advocacy strategy in coordination with SMT and relevant technical programme staff, including providing updates on progress towards the strategy and reviewing relevance at defined intervals. Advise SMT on key advocacy prioritises and opportunities in line with the advocacy strategy. Work closely with the CD to ensure regular engagement with key government officials and Embassies, providing briefings, talking points and in-person support as needed. Develop and update talking points, topline messaging, and advocacy tasks for DRC Iraq; 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, influencing donor funding strategies and priorities, security and current and future challenges that have an impact on displaced populations and their access to humanitarian assistance and protection services; Keep updated crisis info documents on Iraq, detailing the current context, protection concerns, and regulatory situation; Draft and support the production of advocacy products as outlined in the advocacy strategy for use at the country, regional, and international levels; provide timely contextual updates and key messages to the DRC advocacy network, including in the region, HQ, and DRC representations. Build relationships with key advocacy targets directly and through supporting the CD and other SMT members as relevant, including within the UN, diplomatic/donor community, institutions in Iraq, and Iraqi civil society. Keep SMT and programme colleagues informed on relevant policy developments and their implications for the aid response in Iraq. Work with the Head of Programme, Grants Department, and technical programme staff to identify opportunities to build advocacy activities into the programme (and programme proposals) with necessary resources included. Support Area managers and program managers to articulate their top priority advocacy objectives and complete advocacy based on programmatic needs; Ensure consultation with CSOs and support CSOs on advocacy, ensuring joint advocacy initiatives are pursused wherever possible; Identify and guide the management on key advocacy opportunities and targets at national and regional levels.
Communications
Take the lead on communications tools and products, including press releases, feature stories, and case studies; support programme colleagues in project locations to collect high-quality case studies for external use, following DRC do-no-harm principles and with informed consent. Source and write internal and external publications; Draft social media posts for DRC’s Regional channels in line with an agreed strategy. Lead in the development of communications for donor requirements.
Representation
Ensure DRC MERO, HQ, and DRC representation offices are in line with DRC Iraq advocacy strategy and understand and promote its asks; Liaise with key technical staff at Embassies, 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 developing 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 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; The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs, but they will remain in line with the role's overall purpose.
Experience and technical competencies:
At least 5 year experience in advocacy/research/policy or in INGO or NNGO, ideally focusing on displacement, aid responses (humanitarian or development), or human rights. Experience in influencing and advocacy work, including lobbying, policy development and information provision in 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 ability to build relationships quickly 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 organise a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities. Strong communication (written and spoken) and interpersonal skills, with experience coordinating multicultural teams. Commitment to Danish Refugee Council values.
Desirable
Strong knowledge of the aid response response in Iraq and the role of international NGOs, Iraqi civil society, and the United Nations. Extensive knowledge of human rights and international humanitarian law. Understanding of UN and donor operations at country and regional level. Excellent skills in advocating towards government officials. High-quality writing skills in Arabic
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;
Languages
Fluency in written and spoken English Knowledge of Arabic and 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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
Education:
Relevant degree, preferably Masters'; Public Policy, Social Work, Communications, Political Science or strong experience in research.
We offer
Contract length: 06 Months
Position Band: This position will be placed at Non-Management band (G1)
Start date: March 2025
Duty statio