National advocacy and government liaison manager

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, 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 of people world-wide for a better future.

This position will be based in Kyiv, with occasional travel to other locations in Ukraine as necessary. This position is open for Ukrainian citizens.

JOB SUMMARY:

The National Advocacy and Government Liaison Manager supports IRC Ukraine's national advocacy and government-liaison work, with a strong focus on political and policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and institutional relationship-building. Working closely with, and under the strategic direction of, the IRC Ukraine Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, this role provides the analytic and on-the-ground liaison work that underpins IRC Ukraine's national advocacy positioning. This person will support the identification, establishment, and maintenance of effective communication channels with relevant Ukrainian national – including ministries, agencies, and departments – in areas relevant to IRC programming, and will conduct policy research, analysis, and stakeholder mapping to inform IRC's advocacy efforts. The person will also provide support and guidance to program teams in terms of coherent engagement with the public institutions across all levels of governance.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, the National Advocacy and Government Liaison Manager will:

• Analysis and research
  • Track, monitor, and analyze national legislative and policy developments relevant to humanitarian and early recovery assistance in Ukraine, producing regular internal analysis notes and briefings.
  • Conduct stakeholder and political economy analysis – mapping key government, donor, and civil society actors and their positions, interests, and influence – to inform IRC Ukraine's advocacy strategy and positioning.
  • Provide research and analytical inputs, drawing on primary and secondary data collection, to support the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, as well as program teams, in developing position papers, briefs, and campaign materials.
  • Stay up to date on political developments in-country that may affect IRC's humanitarian and early recovery programming, and flag implications to the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator.
• Government and institutional liaison
  • Support the identification, establishment, and maintenance of effective relationships with relevant Ukrainian national and regional authorities, including ministries, agencies, and departments relevant to IRC programming.
  • Coordinate and facilitate communication between IRC Ukraine and relevant authorities, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information as needed.
  • Advise and draft official communications to government authorities and bodies as required.
  • Prepare and manage documentation for International Technical Assistance (ITA) project registration and re-registration in line with Cabinet of Ministers procedures, including official letters, Memorandums of Understanding, and associated annexes; coordinate internally on procurement plans, MoU review, and translation, and externally with donors and government authorities to secure approvals; monitor the progress of submitted applications.
• Advocacy support and representation
  • Support the development and implementation of IRC Ukraine's policy and advocacy strategy, under the direction of the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator and in coordination with program colleagues and partner organizations.
  • Support IRC representation in the Ukraine NGO advocacy working group, contributing IRC's analysis and positions to jointly agreed advocacy priorities and initiatives.
  • Cultivate relationships with civil society actors and partner organizations to support coordinated advocacy efforts and information-sharing.
  • Collaborate with partner organizations to help develop and disseminate positions that support IRC's Strategy Action Plan and the interests of the communities IRC serves.
  • Provide country-context input to the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator's engagement with regional and global communications colleagues, helping ensure public-facing messaging reflects the on-the-ground environment.
  • Contribute to capacity-building for IRC Ukraine staff and partners on government engagement and liaison practice.
  • Support the development of LinkedIn posts and other outreach content aimed at public institutions, in coordination with the Content and Social Media Officer and the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator (close, regular coordination) and the communications team; Senior Management Team and program staff; regional and global communications, advocacy, and policy colleagues.
External: NGO Forum, the Advocacy Working Group; government officials at national and regional levels; public and private donor agencies; international and national NGOs; UN agencies.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education: Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Foreign Policy, Development Studies, Law, Public Relations or another related field.

Demonstrated Skills and COMPETENCIES: Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in advocacy, policy, or government-liaison work. Proven analytical and strategic thinking skills, with experience supporting advocacy and government-relations initiatives in a challenging environment. Strong research and analytical skills, including experience conducting stakeholder analysis, political economy analysis, or similar mapping exercises. Knowledge of research methods, including primary and secondary data collection, processing, and analysis. In-depth knowledge of Ukrainian government institutions and bodies at national and regional/oblast levels, and of relevant law and policy-making processes. Good understanding of Ukrainian government and authority engagement protocols. 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. 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 and/or pre-existing government liaison experience desirable. This position is open for Ukrainian citizens.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

This role requires full-time work in the office or hybrid type of work is possible after probation period. Applicants must have a home or alternate workspace so they can effectively complete their work during regularly scheduled work hours. Travel to other locations is needed up to 30% of time. Exempt from overtime. Sometimes work on weekends may be required. Work in the matrix organization. Fast pace of working, multitasking and stressful work. The organization cares about staff and provides flexible working options (start early-finish early, start later-finish later, remote work). IRC employees are eligible to the following benefits: Competitive salary, Purposeful job and development opportunities, English classes and unlimited online training courses, Life Insurance, Medical insurance for staff and family members, Free psychological support to employees and their family members, 30 calendar days of annual vacation with flexibility beyond the legally set minimum requirements, Up to 10 days of paid medical leave.

Professional Standards:

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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