Requisition ID: req59027 Job Title: Policy, Advocacy, and Communication Coordinator Sector: Communications Employment Category: Fixed Term Employment Type: Full-Time Open to Expatriates: No Location: Damascus, Syria Work Arrangement:In-person Job Description Background/Context: The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 350 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery. Our longstanding experience in the country to date provides a strong foundation for the IRC to further adapt and expand its programming across Syria, in order to respond to the new realities, with a greater focus on resilience and recovery initiatives. Alongside this, the IRC also It plays a significant role in Syria’s NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and actively engaging in advocacy efforts. Job overview: Reporting to the Syria Country Director, the Syria Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator is responsible for leading IRC Syria’s advocacy, policy, and communications work, with a technical line of support and oversight from the Regional Policy, Advocacy and Communication (PAC) Director. This includes developing briefings, key messages, talking points, and other advocacy and communications materials to influence decision makers to deliver meaningful change for Syrians in need. The PAC Coordinator will work closely with the IRC’s MENA Regional PAC team, Global Communications, as well as policy, advocacy, and communications colleagues in capitals, to ensure that PAC opportunities are leveraged across the national, regional, and global levels. They are a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) to ensure a strategic approach to advocacy engagement and contributing to the strategic direction of IRC’s work in country. Responsibilities: Policy and Advocacy + In collaboration with the Syria Country Program Director and the Regional Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications, lead on identifying IRC’s policy and advocacy priorities; supporting colleagues to implement Syria-related policy with targets in in global capitals, and the region. + Produce high-quality public and private policy and advocacy materials, including talking points, letters, briefing notes, position papers, and advocacy reports. + Regularly liaise with relevant Syria CP stakeholders on issues of concern, including peer agencies, UN, donor representatives, and diplomatic missions, and grow the IRC’s bilateral relationships with key counterparts. + Conduct robust stakeholder mapping and maintain an updated contact list of key targets for the response. + Promote a principled approach to PAC amongst relevant internal stakeholders and ensure that external messaging is evidence-based and driven by realities for our clients, staff, and partners. + Represent the IRC in humanitarian coordination forums, conferences, lobby meetings, and other events as requested; or provide talking points for other senior representatives, including the Country Director and Regional Vice President. + Respond to external inquiries on policy issues, including briefing policymakers and the media. + Provide capacity building on PAC to field staff and partners, and develop the capacity of national staff to implement impactful advocacy interventions. Communications and Media + Identify and document stories and case studies that give voice to IRC clients and their needs and/or the impact of our work to support communications, media, advocacy, and fundraising materials. + Support the development of compelling content for social media channels and the IRC website (quotes, photos, interviews, videos, impact stories). + Support the production, development, and design of content materials such as fact sheets, multimedia products, case studies, and newsletters as required for different audiences. + Update Media Talking Points for IRC spokespeople and ensure that the Syria CP Communications Master Document is updated regularly for use by Global colleagues. + Act as media spokesperson for the IRC, ensuring we spotlight the issues faced by our clients and the solutions necessary to alleviate their needs. + Support media and press visits as requested. + Ensure that the branding and communication guidelines of IRC are uniformly and consistently followed across the country programme. Compliance + Partner with the Compliance and Risk Management Coordinator to cultivate an ethical and compliant working culture within the Syria Country Program. Drive initiatives to address operational challenges by implementing efficient solutions that comply with IRC policies and donor regulations, mitigate risks, and align with the Syria CP strategic objectives. + Identify potential risks and inefficiencies within existing processes and promote accountability, transparency, and ethical practices across all program areas to reduce the risk of fraud and corruption. + As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), take ownership of risk mitigation measures related to PAC and ensure the implementation of recommendations provided by the Compliance and Risk Management Department Job Requirements: Education & Work Experience: + 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience crafting and delivering policy and advocacy work responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations with strong nexus/development interlinkages + An advanced degree in the relevant field is advantageous + Experience in advocating on behalf of marginalized groups in settings affected by a conflict. + Middle East regional experience is considered an asset. + Experience with training and staff capacity building. Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: + Commitment to IRC's mission, vision, values, and the IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. + Strong analytical, problem-solving, and innovative thinking skills; ability to generate effective solutions to complex issues while adhering to labor laws and internal policies. + Excellent communication, presentation, and representation skills, with the ability to link programmatic evidence to policy advocacy and identify emerging trends. + Demonstrated ability to manage interpersonal and inter-departmental dynamics and maintain focus on goals in a cross-cultural and fast-paced environment. + Proven ability to work under significant administrative and programmatic pressures while planning long-term, organizing priorities, and maintaining attention to detail. + Ability to work both independently and collaboratively; a team player who fosters cohesive teamwork and builds positive relationships across all levels. + Strong gender lens in analysis and a firm commitment to women’s rights and gender equality. + High level of professional discretion, integrity, and diplomacy in handling complex situations. + Adaptable and flexible in response to changing requirements and evolving external contexts. + Culturally sensitive and enthusiastic about working with multi-ethnic teams. + Curious, eager to learn and grow, with a sense of humor. Language/Travel: + Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing skills. + Arabic language skills are advantageous. + Travel: 40% Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: Syria Country Program Director Management in Partnership with: Regional Director of Policy, Advocacy, and Communications Position directly supervises: N/A Indirect Reporting: Key Internal Contacts: Program Coordinators, Field Coordinators, Access and Security Coordinators, field staff, Global Advocacy and Communications Colleagues. Key External Contacts: Public and private donor agencies, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, Jordan INGO Forum, partner organizations, foreign governments, Advocacy Coordinators or similar in other organizations, Policy and Advocacy Working Groups. Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. Returning National Candidates:We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the country where this position is based and are currently residing outside of your home country, you may be eligible for an attractive relocation package. Eligibility is determined based on IRC's operational needs and specific role requirements. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs. Accountability to Clients:IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery. #LI-DNI