Manager - Policy, Advocacy, Systems Innovation & Communications
Job Description
Title: Manager - Policy, Advocacy, Systems Innovation & Communications
Company Name: Islamic Relief Bangladesh
Vacancy: 1
Location: Dhaka (Baridhara)
Salary: Tk. 212152 (Monthly)
Experience:
∎ At least 5 years
∎ The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s):NGO, Development Agency
Published: 5 Jun 2025
Education:
∎ Master of Arts (MA) in Mass Communication & Journalism, Master of Arts (MA) in International Relations, Master of Arts (MA) in English, Master of Social Science (MSS) in Public Administration
Requirements:
Additional Requirements:
∎ A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience at a leadership role in Communication, advocacy, external relationships, Advocacy & system innovations.
∎ Knowledge of humanitarian principles, international development frameworks, and donor communication practices and trends.
∎ A good understanding of the dynamics of external relationships- use of social media and online channels, media houses, and their use in external relations.
∎ Ability to cultivate and build relationships with government officials and ministries.
∎ Able to write engagingly and persuasively for a variety of external audiences, with a native or bilingual proficiency in English.
∎ Excellent analytical skills.
∎ Excellent representation and diplomatic skills / Ability to defend advocacy position in front of external actors
∎ Strong organizational skills / Rigor / Ability to classify and manage priorities.
∎ Capacity to take initiative and propose innovative solutions / Adaptability to a possible changing context
∎ Knowledge to use policy research, lobbying, public campaigning, media, and digital work for effective advocacy.
∎ Professionalism, ability to develop solid evidence-based arguments and recommendations.
∎ Good knowledge and understanding of international advocacy, government affairs, and political sensitivities.
∎ Familiarity with systems change, systems innovation approaches
∎ Skills in graphic design, video, photo editing, and web development applications (would be a plus)
∎ Good knowledge and understanding of international advocacy, government affairs, and political sensitivities.
∎ Gender-sensitive with a commitment to inclusive communication practices.
∎ Fluent in English and Bangla (written and spoken).
∎ Proficient in MS Office; knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and digital communication tools is a plus.
∎ Essential Competencies:
∎ A minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience at a leadership role in Communication, advocacy, external relationships, Advocacy & system innovations.
∎ Knowledge of humanitarian principles, international development frameworks, and donor communication practices and trends.
∎ A good understanding of the dynamics of external relationships- use of social media and online channels, media houses, and their use in external relations.
∎ Ability to cultivate and build relationships with government officials and ministries.
∎ Able to write engagingly and persuasively for a variety of external audiences, with a native or bilingual proficiency in English.
∎ Excellent analytical skills.
∎ Excellent representation and diplomatic skills / Ability to defend advocacy position in front of external actors
∎ Strong organizational skills / Rigor / Ability to classify and manage priorities.
∎ Capacity to take initiative and propose innovative solutions / Adaptability to a possible changing context
∎ Knowledge to use policy research, lobbying, public campaigning, media, and digital work for effective advocacy.
∎ Professionalism, ability to develop solid evidence-based arguments and recommendations.
∎ Desirable Competencies:
∎ Good knowledge and understanding of international advocacy, government affairs, and political sensitivities.
∎ Familiarity with systems change, systems innovation approaches
∎ Skills in graphic design, video, photo editing, and web development applications (would be a plus)
∎ Good knowledge and understanding of international advocacy, government affairs, and political sensitivities.
∎ Gender-sensitive with a commitment to inclusive communication practices.
∎ Language and computer skills:
∎ Fluent in English and Bangla (written and spoken).
∎ Proficient in MS Office; knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and digital communication tools is a plus.
Responsibilities & Context:
∎ Lead the development, execution, and periodic review of IRB’s national advocacy and systems strengthening strategy.
∎ Prepare talking points, policy briefs, messaging, reports, and advocacy materials aligned with programme objectives.
∎ Collaborate with sector leads (e.g., Child Protection, Climate Change, Humanitarian Response, Economic Empowerment & Governance) to develop sector-specific advocacy plans and campaigns.
∎ Represent IRB in key forums, working groups, and interagency coordination platforms at national and subnational levels.
∎ Contribute to global/regional advocacy campaigns and ensure IRB’s voice is reflected in global humanitarian and development discourse.
∎ Conduct policy analysis and ensure senior management is informed on key national and regional policy shifts.
∎ Facilitate evidence generation through research and documentation to support advocacy objectives.
∎ Remain up to date on key issues at the national and regional level, through engagement with relevant stakeholders.
∎ Alert the SMT to relevant policy developments and provide analysis and input for various inter-agency meetings such as the Technical Monitoring Group, the Humanitarian Country Team, and others.
∎ Support the Head of Programmes and Programmes Manager to articulate priority advocacy objectives and develop program-specific advocacy strategies. In addition, work with Sector Managers, Technical Coordinators, and Area managers on key issues within clusters, working groups, and area-specific forums.
∎ Support the teams in collecting adequate and reliable information and feedback to be used in advocacy activities.
∎ Advise the Country Director and SMT on advocacy and communication trends, risks, and opportunities.
∎ Lead IRB’s communication strategy to enhance visibility among donors, partners, and the public. Ensure presence at sector events, regular stakeholder meetings, attendance in government programs, hosting IRB events (e.g. briefings to stakeholders or field trips), and related external communications/PR/ lobbying.
∎ Oversee production of high-quality external content: reports, case studies, human-interest stories, social media assets, videos, etc.
∎ Build relationships with journalists and media outlets to amplify IRB’s work and campaigns.
∎ Ensure compliance with branding and visibility requirements of donors and stakeholders.
∎ Guide visual identity updates and collaborate with design agencies to modernize IRB’s communication presence.
∎ Develop and maintain strong and productive relationships with relevant Government Department, UN, International organizations and other stakeholders.
∎ Develop CO Annual Report, Departmental Annual report.
∎ Develop and implement a targeted stakeholder engagement plan across government, INGOs, UN agencies, international organizations, Donors and civil society to advance policy and advocacy objectives.
∎ Develop and coordinate the development of relevant content and messaging to support stakeholder engagement.
∎ Lead in preparing target-oriented messages for different stakeholder.
∎ Cultivate strategic partnerships and facilitate regular dialogues with relevant ministries, national actors and donor community.
∎ Support the Country Director and senior team in high-level stakeholder engagements and public speaking opportunities.
∎ Facilitate briefings, exposure visits, and tailored events for donors, partners, and media.
∎ Ensure Media & Visibility plan for each of the projects in the earlier stage & lead the implementation process accordingly.
∎ Ensure Media & Visibility requirements (Plan, Materials & Execution) are set by the donor and other stakeholders in the context of humanitarian appeals, responses, or development programs on time.
∎ Ensure branding, Media, or visibility tools are updated & available.
∎ Provide leadership and direction to the team through proactive engagement, communication, and direction.
∎ Supervise and mentor the advocacy and communications team.
∎ Build internal capacities of sectoral teams to integrate advocacy and visibility components.
∎ Lead on annual planning and ensure that communication and advocacy outputs are linked to programme deliverables.
∎ Conduct regular performance management, coaching, and professional development of team members.
∎ Ensuring that each member of the team fully understands the outcomes that are expected of them and they are aware of the success criteria which pertain to their work.
∎ Ensuring that work is planned and organized in a way that will meet the needs of staff at the Islamic Relief Country Office and in project areas in the most cost-effective manner possible.
∎ Promote and uphold IRB’s safeguarding, child protection, and gender policies in all communication and advocacy materials.
∎ Willingness to travel to field locations for content gathering, programme monitoring, and stakeholder outreach.
∎ Perform any other duties assigned by Management.
∎ Job Context:
∎ This newly created leadership role will spearhead IRB’s national policy, advocacy, systems strengthening and communication strategy to strengthen its external positioning, build strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and influence systems and policies for sustainable impact. The postholder will manage strategic communication, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and system-based advocacy, ensuring that IRB’s programmes speak to national and global development narratives.
∎ Key Responsibilities:
∎ Advocacy & Systems Strengthening Strategy Development, Implementation and Strategic Advice - 30%
∎ Lead the development, execution, and periodic review of IRB’s national advocacy and systems strengthening strategy.
∎ Prepare talking points, policy briefs, messaging, reports, and advocacy materials aligned with programme objectives.
∎ Collaborate with sector leads (e.g., Child Protection, Climate Change, Humanitarian Response, Economic Empowerment & Governance) to develop sector-specific advocacy plans and campaigns.
∎ Represent IRB in key forums, working groups, and interagency coordination platforms at national and subnational levels.
∎ Contribute to global/regional advocacy campaigns and ensure IRB’s voice is reflected in global humanitarian and development discourse.
∎ Conduct policy analysis and ensure senior management is informed on key national and regional policy shifts.
∎ Facilitate evidence generation through research and documentation to support advocacy objectives.
∎ Remain up to date on key issues at the national and regional level, through engagement with relevant stakeholders.
∎ Alert the SMT to relevant policy developments and provide analysis and input for various inter-agency meetings such as the Technical Monitoring Group, the Humanitarian Country Team, and others.
∎ Support the Head of Programmes and Programmes Manager to articulate priority advocacy objectives and develop program-specific advocacy strategies. In addition, work with Sector Managers, Technical Coordinators, and Area managers on key issues within clusters, working groups, and area-specific forums.
∎ Support the teams in collecting adequate and reliable information and feedback to be used in advocacy activities.
∎ Advise the Country Director and SMT on advocacy and communication trends, risks, and opportunities.
∎ External Communication and Media Engagement - 25%
∎ Lead IRB’s communication strategy to enhance visibility among donors, partners, and the public. Ensure presence at sector events, regular stakeholder meetings, attendance in government programs, hosting IRB events (e.g. briefings to stakeholders or field trips), and related external communications/PR/ lobbying.
∎ Oversee production of high-quality external content: reports, case studies, human-interest stories, social media assets, videos, etc.
∎ Build relationships with journalists and media outlets to amplify IRB’s work and campaigns.
∎ Ensure compliance with branding and visibility requirements of donors and stakeholders.
∎ Guide visual identity updates and collaborate with design agencies to modernize IRB’s communication presence.
∎ Develop and maintain strong and productive relationships with relevant Government Department, UN, International organizations and other stakeholders.
∎ Develop CO Annual Report, Departmental Annual report.
∎ Implementing Stakeholder Engagement & Public Relations - 25%
∎ Develop and implement a targeted stakeholder engagement plan across government, INGOs, UN agencies, international organizations, Donors and civil society to advance policy and advocacy objectives.
∎ Develop and coordinate the development of relevant content and messaging to support stakeholder engagement.
∎ Lead in preparing target-oriented messages for different stakeholder.
∎ Cultivate strategic partnerships and facilitate regular dialogues with relevant ministries, national actors and donor community.
∎ Support the Country Director and senior team in high-level stakeholder engagements and public speaking opportunities.
∎ Facilitate briefings, exposure visits, and tailored events for donors, partners, and media.
∎ Ensure Media & Visibility plan for each of the projects in the earlier stage & lead the implementation process accordingly.
∎ Ensure Media & Visibility requirements (Plan, Materials & Execution) are set by the donor and other stakeholders in the context of humanitarian appeals, responses, or development programs on time.
∎ Ensure branding, Media, or visibility tools are updated & available.
∎ Staff Management & Development - 10%
∎ Provide leadership and direction to the team through proactive engagement, communication, and direction.
∎ Supervise and mentor the advocacy and communications team.
∎ Build internal capacities of sectoral teams to integrate advocacy and visibility components.
∎ Lead on annual planning and ensure that communication and advocacy outputs are linked to programme deliverables.
∎ Conduct regular performance management, coaching, and professional development of team members.
∎ Ensuring that each member of the team fully understands the outcomes that are expected of them and they are aware of the success criteria which pertain to their work.
∎ Ensuring that work is planned and organized in a way that will meet the needs of staff at the Islamic Relief Country Office and in project areas in the most cost-effective manner possible.
∎ Compliance, Safeguarding, and Other Duties -10%
∎ Promote and uphold IRB’s safeguarding, child protection, and gender policies in all communication and advocacy materials.
∎ Willingness to travel to field locations for content gathering, programme monitoring, and stakeholder outreach.
∎ Perform any other duties assigned by Management.
∎
Skills & Expertise:
Compensation & Other Benefits:
∎ Mobile bill, Tour allowance, Provident fund, Weekly 2 holidays, Insurance, Gratuity
∎ Festival Bonus: 1
∎ Salary will be Negotiable for exceptionally qualified and experienced candidate.
∎ Other benefits will be provided as per organizational HR policy.
∎ Salary will be Negotiable for exceptionally qualified and experienced candidate.
∎ Other benefits will be provided as per organizational HR policy.
Workplace:
∎ Work at office
Employment Status: Full Time
Job Location: Dhaka (Baridhara)
Job Highlights:
∎ For detailed job highlights, please download the job description from our official website (islamicrelief.org.bd)
Read Before Apply:
For more details on Job information, Please download the job description from our official website (islamicrelief.org.bd). Female Candidates are highly encouraged to apply. However, Islamic Relief Bangladesh considers diversity in the workplace and is a committed equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all suitable candidates regardless of gender, race, family or marital status, ethnicity, disability, class, caste, or religion.
Apply Procedure:
Hard Copy:
∎ If the candidates feel that their qualifications, exposure, and experience match our requirements, and they are willing to commit to our values and are sympathetic to our beliefs then please download the Application Form from our official website (islamicrelief.org.bd) and send the filled form to [email protected] on or before the closing date. Please mention only the "Position Name" as the subject of the e-mail. Interviews are expected to take place on an ongoing basis and the vacancy may close earlier than the above closing date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the further selection process.
Company Information:
∎ Islamic Relief Bangladesh
∎ Bangladesh Country Office: House # 10, Road # 10, Block-K, Baridhara, Dhaka-1212
∎ Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) - founded in 1984 and based in Birmingham, UK - is an independent humanitarian and development organization. It supports the world’s most vulnerable people in their fight against poverty & sufferings regardless of race, political affiliation, gender, or belief, and without expecting anything in return. It is a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
IRW has a presence in 45 countries across the globe. Some funds of the organization come from individual donations and others from institutional donors such as the DFID, EU, SIDA, CIDA/IDRF, Forum Syd, WFP, UNDP, and ECHO.
Islamic Relief(IR) started working in Bangladesh in 1991 in order to help the distressed survivors of the devastating cyclone by providing emergency relief and supporting communities to rebuild in the wake of that cyclone. Initially, it focused on emergency relief & disaster preparedness activities. Later on, it expanded its programs on both humanitarian and development challenges. Now it works in an integrated manner combining emergency humanitarian assistance, short-term work opportunity, shelter support, awareness & training on different DRR, climate change, development, health & hygiene and social issues, cash grant, IGA means, health & nutrition, safe water & sanitation, education, advocacy and linkage with different service providers. As a registered charity, IR is open and transparent; it continually assesses its work and operational methods to improve impact and effectiveness.
Islamic Relief values and commitment to safeguarding: IRB is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults, and beneficiaries with whom IRB engages. IRB expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.
In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
Address::
∎ Bangladesh Country Office: House # 10, Road # 10, Block-K, Baridhara, Dhaka-1212
∎ Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) - founded in 1984 and based in Birmingham, UK - is an independent humanitarian and development organization. It supports the world’s most vulnerable people in their fight against poverty & sufferings regardless of race, political affiliation, gender, or belief, and without expecting anything in return. It is a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. IRW has a presence in 45 countries across the globe. Some funds of the organization come from individual donations and others from institutional donors such as the DFID, EU, SIDA, CIDA/IDRF, Forum Syd, WFP, UNDP, and ECHO.Islamic Relief(IR) started working in Bangladesh in 1991 in order to help the distressed survivors of the devastating cyclone by providing emergency relief and supporting communities to rebuild in the wake of that cyclone. Initially, it focused on emergency relief & disaster preparedness activities. Later on, it expanded its programs on both humanitarian and development challenges. Now it works in an integrated manner combining emergency humanitarian assistance, short-term work opportunity, shelter support, awareness & training on different DRR, climate change, development, health & hygiene and social issues, cash grant, IGA means, health & nutrition, safe water & sanitation, education, advocacy and linkage with different service providers. As a registered charity, IR is open and transparent; it continually assesses its work and operational methods to improve impact and effectiveness. Islamic Relief values and commitment to safeguarding: IRB is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity, and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults, and beneficiaries with whom IRB engages. IRB expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. IRW also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.
Application Deadline: 14 Jun 2025
Category: NGO/Development
