Advocate

REPORTS TO:
Director of Regional Programs

PURPOSE:
The Advocate is a core program position at the staff level for Refugees International. Advocates travel three to four times a year to regions experiencing humanitarian crises and carry out assessments of the level and causes of displacement. These assessments involve interviews and discussions with displaced persons, UN and NGO personnel, and government officials. Upon completion of the assessment missions, advocates are responsible for documenting their findings in concise policy reports, and devising and carrying out an advocacy strategy to advance their recommendations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In conjunction with a mission team member, conduct assessments of humanitarian crises and the level and causes of displacement as well as make recommendations for improving protection and humanitarian assistance. Assess the impact of crises on particular individuals and communities through interviews with the displaced. Conduct interviews with other individuals knowledgeable about the situation, including NGO staff and United Nations and government officials.
• Summarize analysis of humanitarian crises and how to address them in concise policy pieces called field reports.
• Devise and carry out an advocacy strategy to assure the implementation of recommendations published in the field report. Work closely with colleagues, including the President, Director of Program and Director of Communications, to develop and carry out the agreed strategy.
• Hold frequent meetings with U.S. government officials, UN personnel, and other stakeholders to advance the overall advocacy agenda of the organization and to carry out a plan of action related to a particular region.
• Write additional material for RI’s website; draft statements for Congressional hearings and briefings in consultation with the Government Relations Advocate and Communications team.
• Develop media contacts, conduct interviews and contribute blogs for the agency’s website as needed to advance the advocacy agenda of the organization.
• Represent the agency at coordination meetings organized by NGOs, the U.S. government, the UN, think tanks, and other relevant institutions; lead the organizations coalition work on assigned regions and countries.
• Collaborate with fellow advocates and other RI staff to advance agency thinking on key issues and to support achievement of the agency’s mission.
• Collaborate with the Development Department on fund raising efforts by drafting segments of grant proposals, meeting donors, drafting/contributing to progress reports, helping to organize Board and donor missions, and giving public talks on refugee issues.
• Perform other desk-based research as necessary, when not on mission.
• Perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

---

• Bachelor’s degree in international humanitarian affairs, political science, human rights, Middle East and/or African studies; Master’s degree preferred; three to five years of highly relevant experience involving some combination of overseas work, preferably with refugees/internally displaced persons or in crisis situations; experience working for US based NGOs and/or direct experience with US advocacy and US policy highly desirable; experience in Sudan, the DRC or Afghanistan extremely advantageous.
• Familiarity with the key agencies of the international humanitarian system, including the OCHA cluster system and funding mechanisms; good communication skills, especially clear writing and public speaking; familiarity with digital photography and digital videography very useful; English language fluency and a high level of French required, and Arabic language skills desired; ability to work well with others in small teams; willingness to travel to unsafe and isolated places with limited external support; hostile environment training preferred; flexibility and sense of humor.

Contact Details

---

Contact:

rosa guerrero

Telephone:

202-828-0110

Email:

rosa@refintl.org