VP, Policy & Advocacy

About the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.

Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future, and strengthen their communities.

A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity, and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions worldwide for a better future.

Job Overview

The International Rescue Committee has recently redesigned and globalized its approach to policy and advocacy, placing greater focus on robust policy and solution development, while also refining the discipline of advocacy at the IRC.

You will be responsible for leading two distinct, yet inter-related teams:

• Policy & Solutions Team (“Policy Team”), responsible for developing scalable, high-impact, and pragmatic policy recommendations and programmatic solutions.
• Advocacy & Influence Team (“Advocacy Team”), responsible for securing tangible and durable change for IRC clients through strategic advocacy.

You have a network of policy analysts and experts and can work collaboratively across the IRC and partners to bring together a brain trust that can unlock solutions for our clients.

You will lead IRC’s global influence priorities, building the political salience of these priorities, and oversee advocacy experts globally.

These teams are bold, quick-moving, open to new ideas, and collaborative, working in lockstep with IRC’s broader External Relations Department to deliver on shared policy, profile, and fundraising objectives.

Major Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead two high-impact global teams: a policy team responsible for developing scalable, high-impact, and pragmatic policy recommendations and an advocacy team responsible for securing tangible and durable change for IRC clients.
• Work with IRC’s CEO, Leadership Board, and cross-functional counterparts to set IRC’s Policy and Advocacy Priorities based on impact, feasibility, and IRC-added value. Act as a key advisor to IRC leaders on policy and advocacy strategies.
• Partner with IRC CEO, Leadership Board, Board of Directors and Advisors, and Program Leaders to develop influence strategies that advance IRC’s profile and fundraising goals.
• Steward gender equality, diversity, and inclusion both in IRC’s culture and in the policy solutions we develop.

Analysis and Policy Development

• Create open and adaptive ways of working with IRC teams to continually assess the biggest challenges facing IRC’s clients, IRC’s most effective solutions, and corresponding barriers to scale.
• Apply deep knowledge of political and power systems to co-develop specific and creative solutions in IRC’s priority policy areas.
• Lead cross-functional development of IRC’s signature annual policy products. Partner with Marketing & Mobilization leaders to translate analysis into best-in-class products and reports.
• Collaborate with IRC’s Emergency Unit to deliver real-time insights and analytical products such as the annual IRC Watchlist.

External Engagement and Influence

• Advance IRC’s key influence priorities by leading robust advocacy strategies across markets and regions.
• Develop comprehensive power maps for priority issues to identify advocacy targets at global, regional, and national levels.
• Launch and sustain influence tactics that inspire and activate policymakers and publics.
• Amplify IRC’s influence priorities through public advocacy strategies, earned media, and communication partnerships.
• Represent the IRC in high-level policy-related meetings, committees, and fora globally.

Key Working Relationships

• Position reports to: Senior Vice President, External Relations
• Position directly supervises: Policy and advocacy teams

Internal contacts: Technical Excellence leads, Program leadership, Marketing & Mobilization, Awards Management, President’s Office
External contacts: Experts in academic, research/think-tanks, governments, INGOs, and policy-making bodies globally

Job Requirements

Education

• Graduate degree in Public Policy, Law, International Relations, or related field

Work Experience, Skills, and Competencies

• 15 years of experience working on humanitarian and development issues, particularly in conflict and fragility, forced displacement, and overseas development aid reform.
• Demonstrated experience leading global teams and integrating diverse perspectives.
• Proven leadership in policy analysis, advocacy strategies, and policy-making networks.
• Outstanding interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Working Environment

• Standard office work environment.
• Up to 25% travel required.

Compensation and Benefits

The IRC offers a comprehensive set of benefits for US employees, including:

• Competitive pay and retirement savings plans
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off, holidays, and disability insurance

Professional Conduct

All IRC employees must adhere to the values of Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality as outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct.

Commitment to Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment, aiming to increase the representation of under-represented communities globally.

Learn more here