Communication, Advocacy and Policy Senior Coordinator at International Rescue Committee

• The IRC seeks a Communications Advocacy and Policy (CAP) Senior Coordinator who will lead on the communication strategy and portfolio for the Gavi REACH project. Gavi REACH is a three-year $50 million project funded by Gavi and focused on increasing vaccination coverage among children under 5 in Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen. The CAP Senior Coordinator will report to the Project Director and collaborate closely with the Technical Teams to conceptualize, plan and implement the project’s internal and external communications, as well as leading policy and advocacy efforts for the project.
• The individual will ensure that the project’s messaging is consistent and engaging and lead on communications needs for Gavi REACH including preparing and updating various communications outputs, leading communications needs for Gavi REACH events, liaise with IRC Communications team on project communications and provide support for reporting and other documents generated by Gavi REACH. The Senior Coordinator is also responsible to develop communications and advocacy strategy and drive the implementation of the strategy. The staff is also in charge of identifying and formulating policy recommendations based on needs.

Job Responsibilities
Develop and implement a communications strategy for the REACH Project

• Developing and implementing communications plans, strategies and work plans, campaigns, events, and other initiatives in support of the project activities
• Provide communications support for Learning Agenda activities (including participating in Learning Agenda meetings, supporting documentation of learning agenda activities, and building the capacity of Gavi REACH country staff on communications related to the Learning Agenda). Develop dissemination strategies for the Learning Agenda portfolio
• Researching, preparing fact-checking, editing, and producing professional media and communications materials for various audiences and ensuring their timely dissemination and amplification via IRC and non-IRC communications channels at the country and regional level and, where appropriate, global level.
• Creating high-quality media and multimedia content for dissemination in the country, and via Gavi REACH platforms.
• Support communications needs for Gavi REACH events (in consultation with the Technical Team and project leadership)
• Serve as a point person for supporting country level communication needs and review of communication products from IRC and REACH partners
• Maintaining a prominent position in the news and for advocacy. This includes by initiating and drafting briefing notes, preparing press releases, fact sheets, talking points, press lines and guidance notes, social media outputs, etc.
• Prepare and manage the project’s communication budget.
• Ensure photos and videos for external use globally are captured with consent and shared following the IRC's Content process.
• Provide training on advocacy to target countries’ staff and develop the capacity of national staff to implement impactful advocacy and policy interventions.

Technical Support And Coordination
Advance the REACH Projects Advocacy:

• Identify policy advocacy needs from Project interventions across the target countries and formulate and implement advocacy strategies to increase the impact and scale of the REACH project.
• Serve as a resource on immunization advocacy for IRC policy, advocacy, and communications colleagues leading engagement in multilateral processes and with the United Nations system and donor governments
• Contribute to increased awareness of the uniqueness of the Zero-dose Immunization Program (ZIP) among internal and external stakeholders through creative approaches.
• Act as a strategic thought partner for the REACH Project’s overall immunization policy and advocacy work
• Monitor and engage with immunization-focused key events

Policy Analysis, Research, And Writing

• Deepen the IRC’s immunization policy engagement through analyzing policy and financing trends in the 4 target countries
• Produce relevant, timely policy analyses, briefs and reports
• Develop various advocacy products including country briefs, learning briefs, technical briefs, advocacy briefs, social media kits and other publicity materials for the project
• Drafting talking points and messages related to GAVI REACH for PMU leadership and senior IRC staff

Advance Coordination With Internal And External Partners

• Coordinate and lead all Communications-related meetings on behalf of Gavi REACH
• Work with Gavi REACH Technical Team on developing and packaging content for internal and external audiences
• Manage internal partnerships with the IRC Health Unit and Global Communications, Advocacy, and Policy teams to ensure integrated, strategic, and cohesive activities
• Foster and maintain external partnerships with GAVI, Reach for Sahel, CORE Group, and other immunization partners.

Capacity-building For Policy, Advocacy, And Communications

• Contribute to the development of Gavi REACH staff in Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen through training and mentoring on Communication-related issues.

Qualification

• Education: Master’s degree in Communications, Public Health, Journalism, International Relations, Public Relations or a related field.
• Minimum Master’s degree and 5 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor’s degree and 7 years of relevant experience in working in media, journalism, advocacy, and communications and marketing
• Experience in global health or global development required.
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in policy, advocacy and/or communications for global health
• Knowledge of desktop publishing software
• Outstanding writing, editing, and social media skills.
• Ability to work independently and generate creative solutions and approaches to documenting project learnings
• Experience developing technical, learning briefs and other key communications outputs for health projects
• Preferred experience supporting public health projects, programs or initiatives.
• Very good technical affinity for media contexts including knowledge of a wide range of multimedia, web, and digital tools.