National Advocacy and Government Liaison Manager

The National Advocacy and Government Liaison Manager supports IRC Ukraine's national advocacy and government-liaison work, focusing on political and policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and institutional relationship-building. The role involves conducting policy research, analysis, and stakeholder mapping to inform advocacy efforts and maintaining effective communication channels with relevant Ukrainian national authorities.

Responsibilities

• Track, monitor, and analyze national legislative and policy developments relevant to humanitarian and early recovery assistance in Ukraine, producing regular internal analysis notes and briefings.
• Conduct stakeholder and political economy analysis – mapping key government, donor, and civil society actors and their positions, interests, and influence – to inform IRC Ukraine's advocacy strategy and positioning.
• Provide research and analytical inputs, drawing on primary and secondary data collection, to support the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator, as well as program teams, in developing position papers, briefs, and campaign materials.
• Stay up to date on political developments in-country that may affect IRC's humanitarian and early recovery programming, and flag implications to the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator.
• Support the identification, establishment, and maintenance of effective relationships with relevant Ukrainian national and regional authorities, including ministries, agencies, and departments relevant to IRC programming.
• Coordinate and facilitate communication between IRC Ukraine and relevant authorities, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information as needed.
• Advise and draft official communications to government authorities and bodies as required.
• Prepare and manage documentation for International Technical Assistance (ITA) project registration and re-registration in line with Cabinet of Ministers procedures, including official letters, Memorandums of Understanding, and associated annexes; coordinate internally on procurement plans, MoU review, and translation, and externally with donors and government authorities to secure approvals; monitor the progress of submitted applications.
• Support the development and implementation of IRC Ukraine's policy and advocacy strategy, under the direction of the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator and in coordination with program colleagues and partner organizations.
• Support IRC representation in the Ukraine NGO advocacy working group, contributing IRC's analysis and positions to jointly agreed advocacy priorities and initiatives.
• Cultivate relationships with civil society actors and partner organizations to support coordinated advocacy efforts and information-sharing.
• Collaborate with partner organizations to help develop and disseminate positions that support IRC's Strategy Action Plan and the interests of the communities IRC serves.
• Provide country-context input to the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator's engagement with regional and global communications colleagues, helping ensure public-facing messaging reflects the on-the-ground environment.
• Contribute to capacity-building for IRC Ukraine staff and partners on government engagement and liaison practice.
• Support the development of LinkedIn posts and other outreach content aimed at public institutions, in coordination with the Content and Social Media Officer and the Policy, Advocacy and Communications Coordinator.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Foreign Policy, Development Studies, Law, Public Relations or another related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years of professional experience in advocacy, policy, or government-liaison work.
• Proven analytical and strategic thinking skills, with experience supporting advocacy and government-relations initiatives in a challenging environment.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including experience conducting stakeholder analysis, political economy analysis, or similar mapping exercises.
• Knowledge of research methods, including primary and secondary data collection, processing, and analysis.
• In-depth knowledge of Ukrainian government institutions and bodies at national and regional/oblast levels, and of relevant law and policy-making processes.
• Good understanding of Ukrainian government and authority engagement protocols.
• Excellent English and Ukrainian verbal and written communication skills in a wide range of applications (briefs, press releases, letters, presentations) and for different audiences (donors, policymakers, journalists, government officials and general public).
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Fluent Ukrainian communication skills essential.
• Ability to work in a diverse team and on short deadlines.
• Creativity, hands-on attitude, and attention to detail.
• NGO and/or pre-existing government liaison experience desirable.
• This position is open for Ukrainian citizens.

Skills

• Advocacy
• Government Liaison
• Policy Analysis
• Strategic Thinking
• Stakeholder Analysis
• Political economy understanding
• Research Methods
• Primary Data Collection
• Secondary Data Collection
• Data Analysis
• Knowledge of Ukrainian Government
• Policy-Making Processes
• Government Engagement Protocols
• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication
• Interpersonal Skills
• Diplomacy Skills
• Relationship Building
• NGO Liaison Experience
• English Communication Skills
• Ukrainian communication

Languages

English, Ukrainian