Refugees International Director of Policy and Advocacy

Director of Policy and Advocacy

REPORTS TO:
President

PURPOSE:

The Director leads the Program Department of Refugees International (RI) and works in close collaboration with the President, heads of other departments, and advocacy staff. As the person responsible for the development of policy and advocacy positions, and as the lead campaign strategist for the organization, s/he ensures that RI achieves its programmatic goals. S/he also ensures that the objectives of RI’s priority thematic areas and geographical regions are in line with the organization’s strategic plan. The Director supervises staff who work on policy development and advocacy through RI offices in Washington, New York, and London. This high level advocacy targets governments, the United Nations, and other international organizations. The Director is significantly involved with fundraising and is a member of RI’s management team.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Policy:

Develops and implements federal legislative and administrative policy strategies to achieve RI’s programmatic priorities.
Analyzes information and provides guidance on analytical reports on humanitarian developments.
Maintains close ties with UN officials, and reviews and analyzes the development of UN humanitarian policies.
Oversees the organization’s policy strategy for Europe.

Advocacy:

Oversees the development and timely implementation of advocacy strategies to meet RI’s thematic and regional objectives, working within the framework of the Board-approved strategic plan, under the President, and with input from staff. The thematic areas to be addressed include humanitarian response, protection and security, statelessness, climate-induced displacement, and women and children’s rights.

Conducts outreach to the public, humanitarian agencies, academia, and policymakers to increase the impact of RI’s research.
Ensures the overall quality of advocacy materials, which serve as the starting point for RI’s advocacy initiatives.

Management:

Directs the development of staff work plans in line with the strategic plan, and ensures that the objectives of RI’s thematic areas are integrated into its work across geographic regions.
Monitors and evaluates progress made toward achieving plan objectives, and adjusts strategies and tactics as appropriate.
Works closely with the Development Department to draft and pitch proposals and ensure fulfillment of grant and donor reporting requirements in collaboration with other colleagues. Assists with fundraising outreach and high-level donor relations and participates as needed in institutional or other grant meetings.
Supports staff capacity-building to enhance their engagement and performance on policy and advocacy issues.
Works closely with the Director of Operations to ensure overall security of staff traveling on missions, including as a member of the security management team and the incident management team.
Collaborates with colleagues in the Program, Development, and Communications Departments on cross-cutting issues and supports the achievement of RI’s overall mission.
Manages the Program Department’s finances, including analysis, budget preparation, monitoring, and projections in full compliance with funder requirements.
Performs other reasonably related duties as assigned.

SPECIAL EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Fifteen to twenty years of significant professional experience involving work on policy and advocacy campaigns for a non-governmental organization, think tank, Congressional office, United Nations office, or similar institution, preferably with a focus on displacement, humanitarian action, or related issues.
At least five years of supervisory experience, preferably in a non-profit setting.
Prior involvement with humanitarian advocacy networks and targets in the U.S. and Europe.
Familiarity with proposal development and grant management and reporting.
Professional experience overseas in humanitarian work with refugees and internally displaced people, preferably for five years or more.
Academic qualifications in international affairs, area studies, political science, humanitarian action, or a related field, at the Master's level or above.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIREMENTS:

Strong grasp of the cluster system and humanitarian reform.
Solid understanding of the UN system and U.S. Government.
Exceptional communication skills, particularly the ability to write quickly and clearly, edit materials, and deliver effective public presentations.
A track record of proposal development and grant management is highly desirable.
English language fluency is required; a working knowledge of another language of value to RI’s overseas work (such as French, Spanish, or Arabic) is a plus.
A record of relevant publications is preferred.
Ability to work well with others in small teams.
Recent completion of hostile environment training is preferred.
Willingness and ability to travel on one or two missions per year to places with security risks for up to two months per year.
Flexibility and sense of humor.

Applicants are asked to follow the instructions below.

How to apply:

Please apply by 31 March 2013 to jobs@refugeesinternational.org using the following subject line: “Policy & Advocacy – Your Surname.” Please include a cover letter, CV/resume, and writing sample. Only finalists will be contacted.