Advocacy & Communications Lead

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.

Summary of the Role

The Advocacy & Communications Lead will drive IRC Pakistan’s policy advocacy and strategic partnerships strategy to bridge humanitarian and development interventions. You will leverage program evidence, external research, and stakeholder relationships to craft compelling policy messaging and foster key alliances. Reporting to the Country Director and working closely with the Senior Management Team, you will ensure advocacy is deeply integrated with IRC’s program priorities and that public communications effectively amplify IRC’s mission and impact.

Key Responsibilities

Advocacy, Policy & Strategy

• Develop and implement IRC Pakistan’s advocacy strategy, identifying priority policy opportunities, mapping key stakeholders, and forging strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with IRC advocacy and policy teams in the U.S., UK, Europe, and other regions to align local priorities with global policy direction.
• Monitor the humanitarian, development, and political context in Pakistan; provide strategic analysis and timely policy recommendations to senior leadership.
• Translate operational data, research, and field evidence into policy positions, briefs, and advocacy messaging.

Evidence, Research & Messaging

• Produce high-quality, evidence-based content: policy and analysis papers, briefing notes, key messages, reports, articles, blog posts, and presentations.
• Work with program teams (e.g., sector leads, technical coordinators, Deputy Director Programs) to ensure advocacy is grounded in field realities and program data.

External Engagement & Partnerships

• Serve as IRC’s representative in national and interagency advocacy forums, working groups, and policy coalitions.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with governmental bodies, civil society, research institutions, and other like-minded organizations.
• Lead joint advocacy initiatives, learning partnerships, and collaborative engagement to amplify IRC’s policy voice.

Communications & Visibility

• Lead the communications department in Pakistan, including supervising the Senior Communications Manager, ensuring alignment between communications outputs and advocacy goals.
• Develop and oversee a national communications plan to raise IRC’s profile, ensuring messaging is consistent, strategic, and aligned with advocacy objectives.
• Coordinate with global and regional communications teams to maintain coherence in messaging and brand visibility.

Leadership & Team Management

• Manage, mentor, and develop the advocacy and communications team, fostering a high-performing, cohesive, and motivated department.
• Build internal capacity through training, coaching, and workshops so all relevant staff understand and contribute to advocacy objectives.
• Lead departmental planning, budgeting, and resource allocation to ensure efficient and strategic use of funds for advocacy, research, and communications.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning for Advocacy and Communications

• Develop and implement a results framework and monitoring plan for advocacy and communications initiatives.
• Work with M&E colleagues to collect data, monitor progress, and report on outcomes (e.g., policy impact, stakeholder engagement).
• Promote a learning culture: organize learning reviews, incorporate lessons into advocacy strategy, and adapt based on evolving context.

Qualifications & Experience

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Public Policy, International Development, Communications, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• 8–10+ years of professional experience in advocacy, communications, or policy roles, preferably in humanitarian or development settings.
• Proven experience in leading teams and managing departments.
• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and lead advocacy and communication strategies and contextualized approaches.
• Excellent writing, research, analysis, and strategic thinking skills.
• Experience building partnerships with governments, INGOs, think tanks, and international bodies.
• Strong skills in media relations, digital communications, and content creation.
• Budget management experience and strong project planning capabilities.
• High-level political, cultural, and contextual awareness; ability to navigate complex environments.
• Excellent English communication skills (verbal and written); Urdu and/or other local language skills are an advantage.

Competencies & Behaviors

• Leadership & People Management: Experience in mentoring, coaching, and building strong teams.
• Strategic Thinking: Able to develop long-term plans, assess risk, and anticipate shifts in policy.
• Communication & Storytelling: Strong ability to convert evidence into compelling, persuasive narratives.
• Collaboration & Networking: Skilled at building partnerships across sectors and agencies.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in fast-changing, high-pressure environments.
• Integrity & Accountability: High ethical standards, aligned with IRC’s values.

Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis.

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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