Advocacy Manager
Qualifications of Advocacy Manager:
- Location: Bujumbura
- Vacancy No: JR00000540
- Salary: N/A
- Organization: IRC International Rescue Committee
- Deadline: November 1, 2025
Brief details about Advocacy Manager:
About
Information about the organization that has offered the job:
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.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping people survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC provides lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee war or disaster. Working today in more than 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions of people uprooted and struggling to persevere. The IRC leads the way from hurting home.
IRC in Burundi
IRC opened its office in Burundi in 1996 to respond to the urgent needs of displaced people.
Based in Bujumbura with provincial offices in Muyinga, Ruyigi, Cibitoke, and Gitega, the IRC is one of the largest NGOs in Burundi. Its goal is to provide emergency assistance, development services, and post-conflict reintegration, work to protect human rights, and advocate for people uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression.
With the end of the civil war in Burundi and the resulting continued return of Burundian refugees abroad, the IRC took a first step towards post-conflict reconstruction programs. In 2024, the IRC Burundi adopted a new strategic action plan (25-27) and a dynamic program and portfolio on the prevention and response to gender-based violence, child protection, adaptation to climate change, access to rights and good governance, economic recovery, water, hygiene and sanitation.
In Burundi, IRC is one of the key partners of the Government and the European Union in the implementation of sectoral policies related to the agenda of repatriation and reintegration of Burundian refugees abroad. Indeed, the European Union funds two projects for IRC and a consortium of NGOs aimed at strengthening the protection and resilience of displaced populations in Tanzania, Burundi and other Great Lakes countries.
To ensure the integrated coordination of these two projects, the IRC is recruiting an Advocacy Manager.
Job Description
The IRC leads a consortium of partners in implementing the EU-funded Cross-Border Protection, Resilience and Reintegration Program, implemented in Burundian refugee camps in Tanzania and return areas (8) in Burundi. The program focuses on improving protection, effective conflict prevention and mitigation, and strengthening the resilience of cross-border and returnee communities. IRC partners with the DRC, AVSI, JVC, JRS, Terre des Hommes, ICCA, AFRABU, UNHCR, and the governments of Burundi and Tanzania to implement this continuum of programs.
For this program, the IRC is seeking a dynamic and motivated individual to lead the overall development and implementation of the advocacy, visibility, and outreach plans for this innovative program, in line with IRC and EU guidelines and strategies. The ideal candidate will work closely with other IRC offices and consortium partner teams and will be expected to provide support in line with program needs and requirements, ensuring that advocacy deliverables meet the required standards and guidelines.
Job location
You will be based at the IRC coordination office in Bujumbura, but you will have direct links with each of its field offices, as well as with staff and partners who are members of both consortia.
Travel to these sites will be frequent and exchanges with them will be daily.
Key Responsibilities
Objective 1: Analyze the Burundian context
- Gather information on current government policies related to forced displacement;
- Analyze and evaluate research and data interpretation, ensuring that key questions are identified;
- Conduct discussions with Forced Displacement teams to identify influential /key people /partners in civil society and state structures who can influence changes so that displaced and vulnerable people can survive and regain control of their lives;
- Monitor and report to management the evolution of the positions of the various national and international actors on policies related to Forced Displacement;
- Determine areas of influence to lead IRC advocacy in Burundi and work to position the IRC there;
- Regularly share this research information with program teams;
Objective 2: Develop the IRC network and contribute to the strategic positioning of the organization
- Represent the organization, actively participate in meetings (Sustainable Solutions Working Group, Coordination of Reintegration Actors, Forced Displacement exchange frameworks, etc.) and provide comments on its position in relation to the themes discussed;
- Establish and maintain relationships with IRC strategic stakeholders/partners in Burundi and build a relational network to facilitate the mutual exchange of information with these stakeholders in order to ensure a certain effectiveness in their mobilization and adherence to the IRC’s vision;
- Identify government, local and international civil society actors with a view to developing partnerships and jointly defining advocacy objectives and carrying out joint advocacy actions;
- Build relationships of trust with the Burundian authorities.
Objective 3: Manage the planning and implementation of IRC advocacy activities in Burundi
- Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, Forced Displacement, contribute to the organization of national advocacy and strategic communication activities in line with the IRC strategy at the Global level;
- Participate in the planning and preparation of advocacy events, campaigns, meetings and workshops ( national/international days ; advocacy events, etc.);
- Guide, support and advise field teams in the planning of certain events requiring quality advocacy and communication;
- Assist in the organization of seminars/workshops/conferences on topics essential to the conduct of IRC advocacy;
- Develop, complete and finalize all documents to be delivered as part of advocacy activities, respecting deadlines;
- Monitor data collection from advocacy activities to ensure monitoring and evaluation of advocacy projects;
- Support the advocacy team in the implementation of strategies and programmatic activities.
REQUIRED PROFILE:
Qualifications and professional experience:
- Higher degree (at least Baccalaureate) in social sciences, communication, law, public health, sociology, nutrition or other relevant qualification,
- A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in advocacy or a related field (research, analysis, human rights) within a humanitarian or similar organization (e.g., UN agency, donor, human rights organization or government body);
Technical and behavioral skills:
- Strong advocacy skills (research/analysis/policy development, lobbying/diplomacy, strategy formulation, experience in arguing to change policies/practices, representation, public communication);
- Experience in data collection (e.g. qualitative research, human rights monitoring, refugee case study, etc.), research, analysis and synthesis as well as data visualization;
- High quality written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex arguments to a non-specialist audience, and the ability to write articles that will be published for the general public;
- Fluency in written and oral English;
- Practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the area of forced displacement in Burundi;
- Strong project management skills (ability to think and plan strategically, coordinate, monitor and evaluate);
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (empathy, partnership building, negotiation);
- Have the ability to analyze and adapt approaches to different environments and actors;
- Organizational skills, strong ability to work in a team, empathy and flexibility;
- Know how to manage stress and be able to work in difficult conditions;
- Excellent consortium coordination and lobbying skills to ensure effective liaison with all partners, staff and external stakeholders involved in the project;
- Adhere to IRC’s backup policy;
- An openness to technology and innovation (Mastery of social networks and use of database management software or creation of convincing visuals and impact analysis to measure the effectiveness of online initiatives.
Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC employees must adhere to the values and principles set forth in The IRC Way – Standards of Professional Conduct. These are integrity, service, accountability, and equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on beneficiary protection from exploitation and abuse, child protection, anti-workplace harassment, fiscal integrity, and anti-retaliation.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to closing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that create an environment conducive to the participation of women in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Disclaimer: IRC does not request money or credit card details from applicants. Beware of online scams and fraud. IRC is not responsible for any scams or fraudulent activity that may occur through the improper use of our logo or name.
All applications must include: A cover letter addressed to the People and Culture Coordinator, IRC Burundi. • Copies of certificates of services rendered • Identity card • A curriculum vitae • 3 references (Name and surname, Telephone and E-mail).
Application files are submitted electronically.
The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. local time. Only those selected will be contacted for a written test and/or interview.