Advocacy & Communication Specialist / Specialiste de plaidoyer et de communication

The Advocacy & Communication Specialist is responsible for implementing the advocacy and communication strategy of DRC in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The role involves developing evidence-based advocacy, enhancing institutional visibility, and supporting strategic positioning with humanitarian actors, authorities, and partners. The position also focuses on localization principles through partner support and capacity building.

Responsibilities

• Identify advocacy priorities linked to humanitarian needs, contextual analyses and DRC programmatic priorities.
• Develop, implement and monitor DRC's advocacy strategy in DRC in close collaboration with the Regional Advocacy and Communication Advisor, Head of Programme and Country Director.
• Produce quality advocacy products including position papers, policy briefs, key messages, one-pagers, talking points, contextual analyses, etc.
• Ensure advocacy messages are based on reliable data from protection monitoring, multisectoral assessments and programmatic data.
• Contribute to transforming program lessons into operational and strategic recommendations.
• Maintain continuous monitoring of humanitarian, political and security context developments influencing DRC operations and positioning.
• Map key advocacy actors and develop collaborations with networks, NGOs, UN agencies and other relevant platforms.
• Integrate advocacy components into project proposals and contribute to data-driven influence strategies.
• Develop and implement DRC's institutional communication plan in DRC.
• Ensure quality and coherence of all communication products according to DRC guidelines.
• Produce varied communication content (Sitreps, factsheets, social media posts, technical notes, articles, etc.).
• Ensure donor visibility requirements are met across project portfolios.
• Monitor visibility plans and control their implementation.
• Promote DRC institutional visibility with partners, donors and stakeholders.
• Provide technical support to program teams to integrate communication requirements throughout project cycles.
• Participate in joint research, data collection and advocacy initiatives involving DRC.
• Maintain regular relations with UN agencies, NGOs, humanitarian networks, media and other relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor representation actions by the country office and coordinate advocacy opportunities with the regional hub.
• Contribute to DRC media relations strategy in DRC in coordination with Program teams, Country management and Regional Advocacy and Communication Advisor.
• Prepare talking points, briefing notes and press kits for DRC spokespersons for media engagements.
• Support national partners in implementing communication, visibility and advocacy activities.
• Strengthen communication focal points capacities within operational bases and partner organizations.
• Develop tools, procedures and supports to improve communication and advocacy quality.
• Regularly monitor partner compliance with DRC and donor visibility and communication requirements.
• Work closely with Program, MEAL and Grants teams to ensure message coherence and results valorization.
• Identify communication and advocacy opportunities from program results.
• Support teams in donor visits, press missions and institutional events preparation.
• Represent DRC in working groups, platforms and coordination mechanisms related to advocacy, communication and protection in coordination with Country management.

Requirements

• Master in international relations, political science, communication, journalism, human rights or other relevant field.
• At least three (03) years of experience in advocacy and communication.
• Confirmed experience within an international NGO or humanitarian organization is a major asset.
• Experience in crisis or conflict contexts is desirable.
• Experience in drafting strategic documents and communication products.
• Excellent writing skills in French and English.
• Good understanding of humanitarian mechanisms and protection issues.
• Ability to analyze data and produce evidence-based advocacy messages.
• Good knowledge of visibility requirements of major institutional donors (ECHO, BHA, FCDO, etc.).
• Good command of Microsoft Office tools; proficiency in graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite or equivalent) is an asset.
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask.
• Excellent internal and external coordination skills.
• High adaptability, initiative and team spirit.
• Listening, analytical and synthesis skills.
• Excellent communication skills, patience and politeness required.
• Exemplary ethical conduct in the workplace.
• Professional full proficiency in French required.
• Professional proficiency in English.
• Knowledge of Swahili and other languages spoken in Eastern DR Congo (notably Ituri and North Kivu) is an asset.

Skills

• Advocacy Strategies
• Communication Strategy
• Drafting Strategic Plans
• Communication products development
• Evidence-based Advocacy
• Data Analysis
• Humanitarian Mechanisms Knowledge
• Protection Issues Knowledge
• Donor Visibility
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Graphic Design Software
• Canva
• Adobe Creative Studio
• Multinational Experience
• Multicultural Environment Experience
• Internal Coordination
• External Coordination
• Organizational Skills
• Multitasking
• French Writing
• English Writing

Languages

French, English, Swahili