Requête nº: req12305

Intitulé de poste: EU Policy & Advocacy Advisor – Conflict, Migration & Development

Secteur d’activité: Revendication et affaires gouvernementales

Type de contrat: Régulier

Taux d’occupation: Plein temps

Ouvert aux expatriés: Non

Lieu de travail: Belgium

Descriptif du poste

BACKGROUND

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 IRC is on the ground in some 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 Belgium is deeply committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees, and to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels of the organisation. We want our teams to become more representative of all sections of society and particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Populations, who are underrepresented across the humanitarian sector.

IRC in Europe

The International Rescue Committee Europe is part of the IRC global network which has its headquarters in New York, Berlin and London. 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 a number of country programmes in Europe and the North Africa region with IRC programme offices in Italy, Greece, Serbia, Libya and Tunisia.

THE POLICY & ADVOCACY DEPARTMENT

The European Policy and Advocacy Team, headed by the Director of Policy & Advocacy, consists of 14 staff based across the UK, Belgium and Germany.

The core purpose of the Policy and Advocacy Department is to increase the IRC’s influence and profile, 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 team of policy analysts and advocates based in Washington DC, New York, Geneva, Amman and in other priority countries and regions.

Purpose of the role

As 2021 progresses, the world faces unprecedented humanitarian emergencies. More than 235 million people are currently in need of humanitarian aid and more than 80 million are displaced from their homes.
A key driver of many of today’s crises is conflict – and, in particular, long-running, protracted conflict situations. Many crises have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic which risks reversing decades of hard-won progress to increase equality and reduce poverty, hunger, and mortality rates, especially in fragile and conflict-affected states.
As a leader on the global stage and the world’s largest development and humanitarian aid donor, the European Union has a key role to play in ensuring that populations in fragile and conflict-affected states such as those along the Central Mediterranean Route and in the Sahel are supported and not left behind. EU leadership will be necessary to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, ensuring a transformative recovery from COVID- 19 that is fully inclusive, pays attention to the realities of people on the move, particularly the most vulnerable, including women and children, and reduces risks from future potential crises.
The EU Policy and Advocacy Advisor develops and leads implementation of IRC’s strategy on Conflict, Migration and Development vis à vis the EU institutions; builds on and delivers EU-related change objectives across these work streams; and ensures that IRC maximises the EU’s influence in international fora to advance our priorities. This position will focus on the external dimensions of EU migration policy; the overlaps between conflict and migration with reference to Europe, and West and North Africa, especially Libya and Niger, and the synergies between migration, development dividends and achieving the SDGs. It will also seek to improve donor practice for greater impact for populations in crisis by increasing multiyear, flexible, efficient and accountable financing.

The post-holder will develop and implement an advocacy strategy to bring about tangible changes in the way that European institutions and member state governments are responding to the root causes of forced displacement and irregular migration, including conflict and poverty, and are working to achieve development goals in these regions.

As part of this agenda, you will work in concert with field-based advocates to conduct detailed policy analysis and development, produce policy products with clear recommendations for change, and advise on the most effective tactics to achieve impact for these products at both technical and political levels, including through IRC’s digital channels.
Part of IRC’s European policy and advocacy team, this position will work closely with IRC’s Crisis Response, Recovery and Development programmes department and with communications colleagues and the Global Policy and Advocacy team. It will build new partnerships with like-minded NGOs and think-tanks to bring maximum influence to bear on those making crucial decisions regarding the SDGs, Agenda 2030, EU Africa relations, and the EU’s response to external migration. Building new relationships with target policymakers, advisers and officials in relevant European capitals will be crucial to success, as will increasing IRC’s profile and influence through our digital channels.

This role will be based in Brussels, and dependent on travel restrictions following the pandemic, would entail frequent European travel and some international travel.

Scope and Authority

Authority:

• Lead on IRC’s policy and advocacy strategy on conflict, migration and development
• Act as the global focal point for IRC’s policy and advocacy work towards the EU and within Europe on Agenda 2030 and the external dimension of the new Pact on Migration and Asylum
• Represent IRC at meetings with senior European advocacy targets
• Brief senior IRC colleagues on relevant issues relating to the EU and the protection of people on the move, particularly along the Central Mediterranean Route, the Sahel and the Balkans.

Key Working Relationships

• Reports to the Head of EU Policy and Advocacy
• Works very closely with the Policy and Advocacy Adviser for Resettlement, Protection and Integration and the Conflict and Humanitarian Advisor in the EU office, and with the Policy and Advocacy teams in London, Brussels, Geneva, New York and Washington DC.
• Regularly line manages a Policy and Advocacy intern, with scope for further line management opportunities as the team grows.
• Close co-ordination with IRC Communications, Fundraising and Donor Relations colleagues, in particular the EU media and digital teams to deliver effective advocacy.
• Close collaboration with IRC country offices leading our response in a number of countries, particularly those delivering the IRC response in West and North Africa, the Sahel, and the Balkans.
• Close collaboration with IRC technical advisors, particularly on protection and health.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategy development and implementation, including relationship-building and advocacy (50%)

• Develop and lead an advocacy strategy for conflict, migration and sustainable development in Europe, to deliver tangible change that results in improved outcomes for the people the IRC serves.
• Convene a cross functional working group to drive the implementation of this plan including strengthening existing relationships and building new connections with senior stakeholders and advocacy targets in the EU institutions and other appropriate bodies – and providing clear evidence of influencing their positioning.
• Plan and oversee events as part of the above, including with think-tanks, other NGOs and partners.
• Keep track of relevant EU developments, particularly in the areas of migration, humanitarian, foreign affairs and development assistance policy, and ensure that these are communicated to colleagues across the organisation as appropriate.
• Undertake other duties as requested by the Head of EU Policy and Advocacy and/or the Director of Europe Policy and Advocacy.

Policy advice and guidance (25%)

• Produce solution-focused policy products to raise the profile and understanding of the root causes of forced displacement and irregular migration, and provide clear and workable recommendations to improve EU policy coherence and funding modalities 
• Deploy these products effectively to build the understanding of relevant policymakers and politicians to ensure people on the move are better assisted and protected and that EU action supports partner countries to attain achieve the SDGs.
• Work with IRC colleagues in relevant country programme teams such as Niger, Libya and in the Balkans to develop IRC positions on key protection and asylum issues that may arise during the negotiations on the EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum;
• Collaborate with IRC colleagues in Europe and elsewhere to build upon IRC policy positions from our experience and learning on the ground with migrant and refugee protection, support, returns or reintegration and bring these lessons to bear with policymakers in relevant European capitals.
• Work with communications colleagues to ensure that this work has the greatest possible public influencing impact

Coalition building, networking and profile-raising (25%)

• Identify, create and act upon opportunities to build new networks and coalitions of NGOs, think-tanks and others with a shared interest in the external dimension of migration, aid reform, the SDGs and the EU’s external migration strategy, and develop shared projects as appropriate
• Raise IRC’s profile as a European thought leader and practitioner in these areas.
• Provide support to institutional donor liaison and private fundraising colleagues, for example by making presentations and attending key meetings internally and externally where relevant.

Profil

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Skills, Knowledge and Qualifications:

• Relevant Masters degree or equivalent qualifications/ experience.
• Highly strategic thinking and significant experience in developing and driving effective advocacy strategies, translate this into plans for action and then results.
• Proven political judgment, and experience of working with or advocating to politicians, government and institutional targets.
• Detailed knowledge of the workings of EU institutions and current EU debates, with a track record of influencing EU policy and of working with senior contacts in European capitals, EU institutions, the European Parliament or in a relevant public affairs role.
• Strong understanding of the issues underlying the global displacement and refugee crisis, and knowledge of policy issues related to migration and asylum, the nexus approach and sustainable development.
• Robust understanding of the main workings and issues within the EU related to migration, asylum and development.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, and the ability to translate complex material and data into coherent narratives.
• Excellent negotiating skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, including through public presentations.
• Excellent analytical skills, first-class attention to detail, strong organisational and time management skills
• Comfort and effectiveness with delivering and operating in a fast-moving, and highly matrixed international environment.
• The ability to travel, to work to tight deadlines, and on own initiative.
• Commitment to equality, including gender and racial equality, and to IRC’s vision, missions and values

Experience:

• Significant experience of working in or with the European Commission (particularly INTPA or NEAR), the European Parliament, EU Council or in a relevant public affairs role
• Experience of working in or with NGOs and civil society
• Experience of working on complex policy issues, ideally on migration, foreign affairs, humanitarian and development issues and in developing new policy positions
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful influencing strategies – including in working closely with communications colleagues to shape opinion and deliver change
• Experience of building effective coalitions between NGOs or other externally-facing organisations
• Experience of working as part of cross-functional teams around shared goals and quickly forming effective working relationships to deliver results
• Experience of representing an organisation at a senior level in external networks, forums and events

Desirable

• Knowledge of the international NGO sector
• Experience of working in development or humanitarian relief or related field in country programmes
• Experience of developing and implementing integrated campaigns to advance advocacy, fundraising and communications goals
• Additional language(s), preferably working knowledge of French and/or German

The deadline for applications is midnight between Friday 26th / Saturday 27th February.

Candidates must have the right to work in the country for which they are applying.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the online recruitment process, please contact the UK HR team at [email protected]

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