Interim Advocacy and Liaison Manager

The Interim Advocacy and Liaison Manager will lead IRC Ukraine's advocacy strategy development and implementation, coordinating with regional and global colleagues to align priorities. The role involves representing IRC in key fora, liaising with Ukrainian authorities, and supporting advocacy and government engagement efforts.

Responsibilities

• Follow up and advise on the national legislation and policy developments related to humanitarian and early recovery assistance in Ukraine.
• Define, in collaboration with the Country Director, pathways to influence law and policy making.
• Lead the development and implementation of an advocacy and liaison strategy, working closely with Country Director, programme colleagues, and partner organizations.
• Coordinate with the Country Director, programme/partnership teams, the communication teams and regional advocacy colleagues to develop and regularly update key public and private advocacy messages, campaigns, position papers, and documents in line with strategic advocacy objectives in Ukraine.
• Represent IRC in the Ukraine NGO advocacy working group, as well as cultivate relationships with other civil society actors and developing partnerships and coordination towards achieving joint goals.
• Initiate and actively contribute to joint NGO advocacy positions, messages, and initiatives, as prioritized in the IRC Ukraine advocacy strategy.
• Liaise with multiple stakeholders in-country to stay up-to-date on political developments that may influence IRC’s humanitarian and early recovery programming.
• Coordinate and facilitate communication between IRC Ukraine and relevant authorities, to foster collaboration and coordination, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of relevant information, as and when needed.
• Collaborate closely with partner organizations to develop and disseminate relevant positions that support IRC’s Strategy Action Plan and the interests of the communities IRC serves.
• Draft official communications, including correspondence to relevant government authorities and bodies, as required and requested.
• Advise on protocol for all such communication.
• Prepare documentation for International Technical Assistance (ITA) project registration and re-registration in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers procedures including official letters, Memorandum of Understanding and associated annexes.
• Coordinate internally with IRC staff to ensure input on procurement plans, MoU reviews and translation of documents.
• Coordinate externally with IRC donors and relevant government authorities to obtain approvals in support of IRC’s application.
• Monitor progress of each application once submitted.
• Represent IRC Ukraine at meetings, high-level visits, UN meetings, government of Ukraine coordination meetings and cluster and other coordination meetings, as delegated by the Country Director.
• Work together with regional and global communications teams to ensure that IRC’s public-facing messages are in line with and advance the objectives identified by the advocacy strategy and advise on media red lines.
• Providing capacity-building support to IRC’s country staff and partners to strengthen their advocacy and government engagement skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Foreign Policy, Development Studies, Law, Public Relations or another related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum professional experience of 3-5 years supporting advocacy/policy material.
• Proven analytical and strategic thinking skills and experience leading advocacy and Governmental Relations’ initiatives in a challenging environment.
• In depth knowledge of Ukrainian governmental institutions and bodies, both at national and regional/oblast levels, relevant law and policy-making processes.
• Good understanding of Ukrainian government and authority engagement protocols.
• Evidence of excellent English and Ukrainian verbal and written communication skills in a wide range of applications (briefs, press releases, letters, presentations) and for different audiences (donors, policymakers, journalists, government officials and ‘general public’).
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify challenges and propose practical solutions.
• Fluent Ukrainian communication skills essential.
• Ability to work in a diverse team and on short deadlines.
• Creativity, hands-on attitude, and attention to detail.
• NGO experience desirable.
• Female candidates are highly encouraged.
• This is a short-term leave coverage (2 months) position and open for Ukrainian citizens only.

Skills

• Advocacy Strategies
• Government Relations
• Policy Analysis
• Ukrainian Government Engagement
• Stakeholder Liaison
• Strategic Thinking
• Analytical Skills
• Diplomacy Skills
• Oral and Written Communication
• Brief Writing
• Press Release Writing
• Presentation Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem Solving
• Ukrainian Language Proficiency
• English Language Proficiency
• Advocacy Material Support
• Development Studies
• International Relations
• Public Relations
• Political Science

Languages

English, Ukrainian