Associate Director, UN Advocacy

International Rescue Committee•New York, NY

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Director for United Nations Advocacy is responsible for developing and implementing advocacy strategies to advance the views of IRC staff in the field and the interests of the clients we serve with the UN Secretariat agencies (Secretary-General’s Office, Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and Department of Peacekeeping), UN Specialized Agencies, UN ECOSOC Humanitarian Segment, the UN General Assembly’s Humanitarian Coordination pillar and UN Security Council (UNSC) member states. As a core member of IRC’s Global Policy & Advocacy team, the Associate Director seeks to inform and influence the international response to understanding crisis and to use our extensive field and technical experience to provide thought leadership on innovative aid solutions. The Associate Director is the internal and external focal point for matters related to the United Nations in New York and, as such, provides strategic advice and support to the other internal departments on matters before the UNSC. The work of this vital role will be done in close collaboration with colleagues in New York, Washington, Geneva, London, Brussels, Stockholm, and relevant IRC field offices.

Requirements

Graduate degree or equivalent experience in relevant field such as Public Policy, Law or International Relations
6-8 years of proven experience in advocacy roles, including significant time in representational positions, and knowledge and execution of advocacy techniques and policy analysis
Successful experience managing high-level relationships
Prefer direct experience with the United Nations, a UN Mission or with a peer organization doing UN-facing advocacy
Prefer knowledge of humanitarian issues and the work of humanitarian organizations.
Deep knowledge of humanitarian programming, especially in conflict-driven settings
Extensive knowledge of relevant UN-related processes and products, particularly: UNSC deliberations and dynamics, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, UN reform reviews, UN Agency Executive Committee deliberations, Global Compacts on Refugees and Migrants
Deep familiarity with international humanitarian law and laws of armed conflict
Deep familiarity with leveraging points throughout UN and Member States that can be targeted to achieve policy change objectives; strong network among key Members States and NY-based UN agencies
Knowledge of and experience working with humanitarian organizations, including relevant INGOs, think tanks and academic institutions
Ability to think strategically, synthesize complex information and develop innovative policy and advocacy approaches
Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate successfully with experts, high level decision-makers, and colleagues in the humanitarian and development fields
Excellent writing skills and the ability to translate complex material and data into coherent narratives that resonate with policymakers
Ability to travel and to work on tight deadlines
Initiative and ability to work independently on fast-paced issues, and juggle competing demands

Responsibilities

Track UNSC developments related to country priorities and conduct targeted UNSC outreach and engagement to UNSC member state missions.
Analyze and report on relevant policy trends, humanitarian dimensions, and key developments within the UN Security Council and the UN Secretariat; identify opportunities and support development of recommendations for policymakers.
Develop and implement advocacy strategies to influence policy and program approaches of donors, host governments, and humanitarian and development organizations to improve the use of aid and ensure better outcomes for people affected by forced displacement, consistent with our overall priorities and strategy on aid reform.
Liaise closely colleagues across the organization to ensure that our global advocacy strategies and UN policy recommendations are rooted in the IRC’s field experience and technical expertise.
Identify and facilitate opportunities for IRC senior leaders to build relationships with UN and UN Mission decision-makers to directly advance IRC’s thought leadership agenda.
Expand IRC’s policy influence within UN OCHA and with New York-based representatives of relevant UN Specialized Agencies by establishing a working rapport with senior staff, alerting OCHA and other Agencies to IRC’s concerns in various crises, and driving policy reforms to improve humanitarian action on the ground.
Engage with policy stakeholders at the highest levels by representing the IRC at key meetings at the United Nations, including attending regular face-to-face meetings with the UN Security Council Permanent Representatives, Deputy Ambassadors, Political Officers, First and Second Counselors, Policy Experts and Humanitarian Affairs Officers.
Lead development and coordination of IRC’s engagement in major UN fora, including annual UN General Assembly meetings.
Contribute to policy generation by providing UN specific analysis to increase the credibility and efficacy of our solutions through constant collaboration and in focused policy fora.
Support IRC’s policy team in identifying and developing policy priorities that are impactful and achievable.
Engagement with public audiences to showcase the work of the IRC.
Represent IRC’s views in meetings of the UN Security Council, UN Secretary-General’s Executive Office, Under-Secretary-Generals, Inter-Agency Standing Committee Principals and Working Groups, various Special Representatives to the Secretary-General, UN Special Envoys, UN Panels of Experts, and UN Special Rapporteurs.
Steward Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: both in the culture of IRC, as well as in the policy solutions we develop and the ways we wield influence.
Support a positive team culture by acting openly and collaboratively, supporting colleagues in their work and sharing credit with others where appropriate.

Benefits

10 sick days
10 US holidays
20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure
medical insurance starting at $163 per month
dental starting at $6.50 per month
vision starting at $5 per month
FSA for healthcare and commuter costs
a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching
disability & life insurance
an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.