Advocacy and Community Liaison Officer

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 IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damaturu of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

Job Overview/Summary

The Advocacy and Community Liaison Officer will support the design and implementation of advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and community liaison strategies aimed at strengthening program visibility, government engagement, community participation, and policy influence. The position will serve as a critical link between IRC, communities, government stakeholders, partners, and other relevant actors to ensure effective coordination, representation, and community-centered programming.

The role will support advocacy initiatives through evidence generation, stakeholder mapping, policy engagement, community feedback mechanisms, and strategic relationship management. The Advocacy and Community Liaison Officer will also contribute to strengthening accountability to affected populations, promoting positive community relations, and enhancing IRC’s positioning with key external stakeholders.

The position will work closely with programming, MEAL, protection, communications, and field teams to ensure that community voices, field realities, and program evidence inform advocacy priorities and external engagement strategies.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• Support the implementation of advocacy and community engagement strategies aligned with country program priorities.
• Facilitate effective engagement with government ministries, community leaders, civil society organizations, and humanitarian actors.
• Support coordination and communication between IRC field teams and external stakeholders at state and community levels.
• Contribute to the documentation of humanitarian needs, community concerns, and program impact to inform advocacy messaging.
• Support community consultations, stakeholder meetings, and engagement forums.
• Ensure community feedback and accountability mechanisms are strengthened and functional across program locations.
• Monitor and analyze humanitarian, political, and community developments relevant to IRC programming and advocacy priorities.
• Support the integration of protection mainstreaming, accountability, and community participation across programs.
• Representing IRC in relevant coordination meetings and external engagements as assigned.

Program Development

• Contribute to proposal development processes by providing context analysis, stakeholder mapping, and advocacy-related inputs.
• Support the development of advocacy briefs, talking points, donor engagement materials, and external communication products.
• Assist in identifying strategic partnership and collaboration opportunities with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Support the development of visibility and engagement materials highlighting program impact and community voices.
• Contribute to donor visits, high-level field visits, and stakeholder engagement planning and coordination.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Support capacity strengthening of staff and community structures on advocacy, stakeholder engagement, accountability, and community liaison approaches.
• Provide technical support to field teams on community engagement and representation approaches.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across departments and field locations.
• Support staff understanding and adherence to IRC policies, safeguarding principles, and accountability standards.
• Contribute to learning documentation, best practices, and lessons learned from advocacy and community engagement activities.

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Conduct stakeholder analysis and mapping to support advocacy and engagement strategies.
• Support data collection and documentation of client stories, community feedback, and program outcomes for advocacy purposes.
• Analyze contextual developments, policy trends, and humanitarian issues affecting vulnerable populations.
• Contribute to reports, briefing notes, situation analyses, and advocacy products.
• Support evidence-based advocacy by coordinating with MEAL and technical teams to gather relevant program data and insights.

Coordination & Representation

• Maintain effective working relationships with government agencies, community leaders, civil society organizations, donors, UN agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Representing IRC in coordination platforms, community meetings, and stakeholder forums as delegated.
• Support the organization of advocacy events, campaigns, policy dialogues, and community engagement activities.
• Strengthening IRC’s visibility and reputation through professional engagement and representation.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration between IRC and community structures to support program acceptance and access.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Advocacy and Communications Coordinator

Indirect/Technical Reporting: Field Coordinator, Technical collaboration with Program Coordinators, MEAL, Protection, and Field Management teams.

Position directly Supervises: N/A (or Community Volunteers/Assistants where applicable)

Key External Contacts:

• Programs Team
• MEAL Team
• Protection Team
• Health and Nutrition Team
• Communications Team
• Grants Unit
• Supply Chain and Operations
• Field Management Teams

Region/Global:

• Regional Advocacy Team
• Global Communications and Advocacy Units

Key External Contacts

• Government Ministries and Agencies
• Community Leaders and Structures
• Civil Society Organizations
• UN Agencies
• INGOs and NGOs
• Donors and Development Partners
• Media Representatives
• Community-Based Organizations

Job Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, International Relations, Mass Communication, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Law, or related field.
• Master’s degree is an added advantage.

Job Requirements

Work Experience:

· Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience in advocacy, community engagement, stakeholder coordination, humanitarian programming, or related field.

· Experience working with NGOs, INGOs, government institutions, or humanitarian organizations.

· Experience in Northeast or Northwest Nigeria humanitarian context is highly desirable.

· Demonstrated experience engaging with government stakeholders, communities, and partners.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

· Strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills.

· Excellent report writing, presentation, and communication skills.

· Understanding of humanitarian principles, accountability frameworks, and mainstreaming protection.

· Strong community engagement and facilitation skills.

· Experience in coordination, representation, and partnership management.

· Ability to analyze contextual and policy developments.

· Strong documentation and storytelling abilities.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

· Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multicultural environments.

· Strong organizational and coordination skills.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

· High level of professionalism, integrity, and diplomacy.

· Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Languages:

· Fluency in English required.

· Knowledge of Hausa, Kanuri, or other local languages is an added advantage.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

· Experience using online communication and collaboration platforms.

· Strong digital documentation and reporting skills.

· Ability to use social media and digital engagement tools is an advantage.

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.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings