Senior Advocacy & Communications Officer

About the Organization:

The White Helmets is a community-based civil defense organization founded in 2013 to provide emergency management services in areas of Syria where state-run services had collapsed following the outbreak of the conflict. With support offices in Canada, Turkey, and Europe, the White Helmets operate in Syria in non-regime-controlled areas serving more than 4.5 million civilians. Formally known as Syria Civil Defense, we have a team of around 3,000 volunteers whose humanitarian work helps hundreds of communities prepare for, respond to & recover from violent attacks and natural disasters. Our mission is to protect lives and property as well as engaging communities to raise awareness, acting with both integrity and professionalism, while promoting justice in situations of war and peace, ultimately seeking to achieve high levels of sustainability and resilience for a safe and stable society. The WH have saved over 120k lives since 2013. Our work has received unparalleled levels of recognition and support, becoming a symbol of humanity and inspiration in Syria and internationally. Les Casques Blancs (CB) is a not-for-profit organisation registered in Quebec, Canada. It aims at promoting, developing and implementing community-based, service-based and recovery-oriented projects to improve the lives of civilians in conflict zones. It aims also to create resilience in order to participate in the empowerment of civilians to defend their own rights; assist vulnerable people, forced to be displaced by providing access to resources and regain their dignity. Les Casques Blancs is a member of The White Helmets Group and works to support the goals of the White Helmets Group. Further information about us can be found at www.whitehelmets.org and www.syriacivildefence.org

Scope Of Work

The Senior Advocacy & Communications Officer provides support to the White Helmets Group in developing, designing, and implementing advocacy campaigns that carry messages in service of the organization’s objectives with the aim of drawing attention to priority issues for the humanitarian workers. They will work to increase public, political and financial support to the White Helmets. With a special focus on the Syrian crisis, the Senior Advocacy & Communications Officer will work on building international alliances and advocate for justice, accountability, the protection humanitarian workers and humanitarian access. Under the supervision of the White Helmets’ Advocacy and Communications Manager, they will coordinate US-focused advocacy and campaigning and lead on relations with the US government and congress. The position will also support advocacy to UN Member States in New York. The Senior Advocacy and Communications Officer will develop alliances with other non-governmental organisations and support fundraising.

Terms of Reference:

Job Title: Senior Advocacy & Communications Officer (ACO)

Duty Station USA (Washington or New York)

Line Manager Advocacy and Communications Manager

Line management responsibility NA

Full/Part-Time Full time

Tasks & Activities:

• Develop and implement The White Helmets’ US advocacy strategies with a focus on identifying and following through on opportunities for The White Helmets work and voices to have an impact
• Track policy developments in US Government and Congress, and at the United Nations
• Join, develop, and maintain coalitions, working groups, and partnerships with a range of international professional associations, rescue worker networks and human rights
• Build relationships with journalists to provide briefings, information and brief colleagues to speak to media
• Attend or help other staff of The White Helmets to prepare for advocacy and coordination meetings
• Conduct desk research on a broad range of topics
• Prepare, draft, edit, format, and distribute materials such as news releases, reports, letters, briefing papers, talking points, background research, parliamentary hearing questions, dispatches, web content, public letters and statements, op-eds and other publications
• Develop and lead an annual schedule of virtual and in person events, roundtables , supported by other staff members
• Provide support to the White Helmets leadership in planning, coordinating, and follow up actions of advocacy trips and international engagements
• Design public campaigns about the White Helmets’ aimed at garnering increased support from the US public
• Assist in fundraising activities

Required Qualifications:

• University studies/higher education in International Relations, Social and Political Sciences, Business Administration or related field. Masters preferred
• At least 5 years of proven professional experience in advocacy, policy, and research.
• Knowledge of or experience with US government and congress
• Knowledge of or experience with International Organisations, particularly UN bodies like the General Assembly and Security Council
• Experience developing working relationships with with non-governmental organisations, research centres, researchers, think tanks, etc
• Experience of organising online and in person events
• Knowledge of the Syrian context
• Strong research and analytical skills, evidence of persuasive writing skills and/or policy writing preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills and independent judgment and discretion, as well as tact, diplomacy, and maturity in dealing with colleagues at all levels of the organization are required
• Self-motivation and the ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently, under pressure
• Demonstrated knowledge of human rights, international relations, diplomacy, and/or policy
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required
• Arabic language is required

How to Apply:

If you are interested in applying for this position, please fill the application form on the applicayion link and attach a CV and a cover letter explaining your background and interest in what we do.

The cover letter should demonstrate your ability to communicate persuasively your suitability for this position, in line with the core competencies of the Senior Advocacy & Communications Officer position.

Kindly note that the original of your diplomas may be requested for verification purpose. This position is open to candidates with valid work and residence permits in the United States of America.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date for application: 31 December 2022

****Please note that White Helmets is working to register in USA as a charity, the consultancy agreement may be transferred to Employee type if we register officially in USA.