What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Affairs Coordinator position at Islamic Relief USA?
Job title: Public Affairs Coordinator
Status: Full-time
Division: Public Affairs, Research and Advocacy (PARA) Department
Location: Alexandria, VA
The Public Affairs Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the public engagement and advocacy efforts of the Department of Public Affairs. The focus of the Department’s work is to promote Islamic Relief’s advocacy priorities among domestic and international government entities, strengthen IRUSA’s relationships with peer NGOs and advocacy coalitions, and to protect IRUSA’s reputation with various stakeholders. The Coordinator will report directly to the Director of Public Affairs, Research and Advocacy (PARA). The candidate must show commitment to IRUSA’s faith inspired values and principles as well as a commitment to the vision and mission of the organization
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Administrative & Coordination
Status: Full-time
Division: Public Affairs, Research and Advocacy (PARA) Department
Location: Alexandria, VA
The Public Affairs Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the public engagement and advocacy efforts of the Department of Public Affairs. The focus of the Department’s work is to promote Islamic Relief’s advocacy priorities among domestic and international government entities, strengthen IRUSA’s relationships with peer NGOs and advocacy coalitions, and to protect IRUSA’s reputation with various stakeholders. The Coordinator will report directly to the Director of Public Affairs, Research and Advocacy (PARA). The candidate must show commitment to IRUSA’s faith inspired values and principles as well as a commitment to the vision and mission of the organization
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Administrative & Coordination
- Coordinate and schedule meetings for PARA team DC meetings with Executive Department officials, Congressional Offices, and setting up meetings/briefings with other relevant institutions.
- Liaise with USRAP and US Grants teams to obtain quarterly updates on Refugee programs, partners and info relevant to Refugee advocacy priorities, legislation and lobbying.
- Liaise with Programs Department’s PQSL team for getting new impact evidence for white papers for briefings (which may entail helping us find an external researcher/writer to synthesize the findings).
- Work with the Communications Department to produce any public affairs materials required for engagement and advocacy; including articles and blogs for external audiences.
- Assist with the recruiting, selection and management of Public Affairs Interns and their related programs.
- Assist with planning and coordination of annual public affairs events, briefings and dinners usually in Washington, DC.
- Utilizes IRUSA social media accounts to promote Public Affairs events in real time.
- Assist in the Public Affairs Department’s representation of Islamic Relief USA’s mission, programs, and advocacy priorities, to Congressional offices, Executive Departments, and state/local government officials.
- In coordination with PARA’s advocacy campaigns & lobbyists’ team, develop and execute advocacy strategies to influence Congressional legislation and Federal Government policies in favor of refugees and displaced persons.
- Take lead on advocacy and engagement in relation to IRUSA’s Refugees advocacy priorities in collaboration with USRAP teams.
- Engage with Members of Congress, US government officials, and other relevant stakeholders to raise awareness and promote the rights and protection of refugees.
- Participate in direct lobbying meetings organized by advocacy coalitions and partners.
- Schedule advocacy meetings with Congressional offices, government department offices, NGOs, and interfaith stakeholders identified by Manager.
- Track Congressional legislation relevant to IRUSA domestic & international policy priorities (i.e. poverty reduction, food security, refugee resettlement, climate change, gender-based violence).
- Coalitions: Represent IRUSA interests in DC-based & national-level advocacy coalitions focused on refugees.
- Attend coalition’s weekly or monthly planning meetings.
- Networking and Partnerships: Build and maintain effective relationships with DC-based refugee organizations, government bodies, and thought leaders to collaborate on advocacy initiatives and share best practices.
- Research and draft memos, policy briefs, talking points, on issues related to IRUSA’s domestic & refugee policy priorities.
- Develop and prepare briefing materials for engagement activities and government relations.
- Maintain and update a contacts database of Congressional staff, government officials, coalition chairs & members, NGO staff, Embassy staff, interfaith leaders etc.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Master’s degree in Public Affairs, Public Policy, Social Work, Political Science, etc., preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years work experience in NGO advocacy, public affairs, government relations, community relations & organizing, and/or communications.
- Prior Congressional or state legislature employment is a plus.
- Possess basic understanding of the Congressional legislative calendar and annual budget & appropriations process, preferred.
- General awareness of the leading domestic social services, multilateral organizations, and advocacy organizations.
- Demonstrated experience or interest in refugee/migration/displacement programs, policy & advocacy.
- General awareness of the leading refugee resettlement and advocacy organizations.
- Possess a basic understanding of the USRAP program.
- Able to handle a fast-paced work setting with diplomacy and composure.
- Ability to independently handle multiple, simultaneous, varied assignments and meet tight deadlines while providing a consistent level of quality and accuracy.
- Strong communications skills, including writing, public speaking, and social media.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, NGO representatives, and interfaith leaders.
- Ability to attend frequent off-site and regional meetings, evenings and weekends.
- Confident and proficient user of Google Workspace, MS Office and various social media platforms (ie X/Twitter, Instagram).
- Highly organized and self-directed in both in-person and virtual work conditions.
- Must be eligible to work in the United States.
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