The Regional Policy and Advocacy Lead is a key member of IRC East Africa’s regional senior management team, responsible for developing and coordinating regional policy positions, strategically positioning the IRC on key humanitarian policy debates, and raising its profile locally and internationally. The role oversees the development of appropriate, coherent, and compelling policy analysis and messaging at local, national, and international levels to influence the policies or practices of key actors and enhance the impact of the IRC’s work. As a member of the regional team, the Lead works closely with country programs throughout the region to provide targeted support in developing local advocacy and policy solutions and building the capacity of country program teams to advocate on priority issues in their contexts.
Key Responsibilities
Overall Strategy
- In close coordination with the Deputy Regional Director and Regional Vice President, lead the development and implementation of the policy and advocacy strategy for the region.
- Contribute to and support the implementation of global Policy and Advocacy Team and Mobilization and Marketing team strategies.
- Ensure the East Africa strategy and organizational strategies are aligned and ladder onto each other.
- Build and maintain relationships with diverse organizations and individuals to develop networks and increase collective impact, specifically liaising with the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG).
Advocacy and Policy
- Develop and drive policy and advocacy messages and products for in-country, regional, and international stakeholders and policymakers, ensuring field priorities are integrated.
- Use real-time, credible data to facilitate the development and implementation of influencing strategies and policies within the region.
- Coordinate and support the policy work of country-level advocacy staff, providing training and ensuring information is disseminated internally and to external stakeholders.
- Produce advocacy materials including talking points, briefing notes, position papers, and advocacy reports.
- Represent the IRC in regional fora and develop or strengthen alliances to push forward humanitarian topics of shared concern.
- Act as an IRC spokesperson on advocacy issues where appropriate.
- Provide analysis and content for executive and regional leadership, briefing them on relevant policy developments.
- Collaborate with policy and communications staff in Washington DC, New York, London, and Brussels to ensure regional perspectives are reflected in global policy development.
- Support multi-country programs and research projects within the region to ensure advocacy is evidence-based.
- Serve as the regional focal point for the development of high-profile products like the IRC’s Emergency Watchlist.
Requirements
- University degree in Communications, Marketing, International Affairs, Policy & Advocacy, Political Science, or a relevant field (Master's preferred).
- At least 10 years of increasingly responsible professional experience responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations.
- Proven track record of delivering change through highly impactful policy, advocacy, and communications strategies.
- Demonstrated creativity, innovative thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent analytical, presentation, communication, and writing skills.
- Superb interpersonal, relationship-building, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a multi-ethnic team.
- Keen understanding of political complexities in the East Africa region; previous experience in the region is strongly preferred.
- Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential.
- Willingness to travel to remote sites under challenging conditions and unstable security environments.
