United States of America: Advisor, Displacement Solutions Policy

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) will advocate to dramatically increase the productivity of humanitarian aid and its ability to achieve outcomes for people living in and displaced by conflict and crisis. This vision is pursued through two objectives: changes in policy and practice that drive transformative, measurable improvement in the effectiveness of aid to people affected by conflict and crisis; and the removal of roadblocks to the delivery of aid and for long-term solutions for displaced people.

The Policy and Advocacy Department is the focal point for coordination of advocacy across the IRC and is accountable for achieving the organization's policy objectives. Our advocacy is rooted in three core principles: focus; proposing solutions to policy makers and being based on evidence from our experience as implementer. The Policy and Advocacy Department is headed by the Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, and consists of team members in Washington, DC, New York, London, Brussels and Geneva.

IRC Overview/Summary:

The Advisor, Displacement Solutions Policy is a new position in the Policy and Advocacy Department created to define the policy strategy for the organization on solutions to protracted displacement. The post holder reports to the Vice President for Policy and Advocacy and is expected to closely collaborate with departmental colleagues in London, Brussels, Geneva, and New York.

The post holder will have an opportunity to define a key area of work for the Advocacy and Policy team as well as the organization as a whole. Over recent years, humanitarian actors, including the IRC, have called for new modalities of programming and coordination with actors outside the humanitarian system to ensure the needs of diplaced people are met. Recognizing that durable solutions are the goal, the focus is now on self-reliance, resilience and inclusion of the displaced in development plans. The IRC intends for its engagement in this policy dialogue to be the product of a rigorous exercise in which impact on our beneficiaries, rationale for change, IRC's value add and resources are considered.

As a guide, the Advisor, Displacement Solutions Policy will engage in research on development financing, development planning and coordination, and country policies in relation to displacement solutions. Preliminary research and upcoming opportunities should lead to a focus on a specific region(s) and particular advocacy objectives under this broad topic where IRC has an added value.

Major Responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of the VP for Policy and Advocacy, the Advisor, Displacement Solutions Policy will define the policy strategy for the organization on solutions to displacement, including:

1 Draft a work plan for the year which outlines research, consultation, drafting and comment periods for the strategy;
2 Conduct and document research through original analysis, literature review, internal and external interviews, participation in key events and other activities as relevant;
3 Define priorities and narrow geographical contexts according to potential and value-add - as well as in close consultation with International Programs Department (context analysis, local capacity, alignment with strategy, etc.);
4 Define target audiences and key decision makers, including stakeholder analysis; 5 Develop key messages and identifying opportunities to deliver messages; 6 Recommend functional changes needed to carry out the strategy;

• As relevant, establish and convene internal working group(s) on solutions to displacement -with participants drawn from relevant Regions and/or across Policy and Practice Department. Such working groups should ensure coherent and informed engagement in ongoing policy work as well as development of a strategy reflective of organization-wide interests, capacity and alignment with IRC's 2020 Strategy.
• Keep abreast of ongoing policy developments, identify policy trends on displacement solutions, report on key developments and analyze ramifications of policy changes, and develop advocacy strategies and actions.
• Support IRC's engagement on displacement solutions through joint initiatives such as Solutions Alliance and REDSS, conferences such as Ditchley or others such as the World Humanitarian Summit - including through strategic recommendations, research, document drafting and reviews, event management support, etc;
• Seek and represent the organization at key meetings on displacement solutions and promote IRC's messages.
• Liaise closely with International Program staff in relevant regions and Technical Units to develop a strategy that is derived from an intimate understanding of IRC's work with the populations we serve.
• Undertake other appropriate duties and tasks as assigned by the VP.

Job Requirements:

• Postgraduate degree in relevant subject including Public Policy, Law , or International Relations preferred
• Demonstrated policy analysis skills and experience writing advocacy strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to write clearly and quickly.
• Minimum 6-8 years experience working in advocacy and policy positions dealing with complex humanitarian and/or emergency settings. Similar work experience with development institutions strongly preferred.
• Strong multi-tasking and organizational skills with an ability to focus both on internal issues as well as external demands.
• Proven team-building and team leadership skills with an ability to maintain esprit de corps with a team that is often geographically dispersed.
• Solid strategic thinking and analytical skills as well as flexibility to a changing work environment.

Working Environment:

• Standard office work environment
• Travel required 15%

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC et les employés de IRC doivent adhérer aux valeurs et principes contenus dans le IRC WAY (normes de conduite professionnelle). Ce sont l'Intégrité, le Service, et la Responsabilité. En conformité avec ces valeurs, IRC opère et fait respecter les politiques sur la protection des bénéficiaires contre l'exploitation et les abus, la protection de l'enfant, le harcèlement sur les lieux de travail, l'intégrité financière, et les représailles.

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