Who are we?
The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunities for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.
The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.
All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.
DRC Syria
DRC has been actively operating in Syria since 2008 mainly supporting refugees. In June 2012, DRC was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expand its humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to IDPs and the vulnerable resident population countrywide. Since then, DRC activities have been focused on NFI distributions, Shelter, WASH, Protection, Education, Livelihoods, and Mine Risk Education in six Governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs). While Protection/community service activities are provided to beneficiaries throughout our Community Centers.
About the job
The Advocacy Specialist - Policy and Research Specialist will be part of the Syria Community Consortium (SCC) Management Unit. The SCC consists of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), the International Medical Corps (IMC), the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and Oxfam, four leading INGOs present in Syria for over a decade, responding to the Syria crisis. The overall goal of the SCC is to strengthen resilience capacities and promote the socio-economic well-being and self-reliance of at-risk crisis-affected communities in Syria by capitalizing on positive capacities and reducing reliance on negative coping strategies while addressing larger contextual challenges. The SCC aims to become a thought leader in the field, contributing to policy debates and influencing other actors, including the UN, INGOs, and donor governments. The Policy and Research Specialist will work closely with the advocacy, programme, and field teams to lead and inform research and contribute to developing SCC’s policy positions on humanitarian issues such a principled humanitarian access and feasibility of effective resilience programming in Syria. This will be done through dedicated research including field visits to meet with the communities that the SCC assists. Additionally, the Policy and Research Specialist will coordinate the development of relevant joint advocacy/policy materials with the four partner organizations and support the generation of products and research in line with the SCC’s joint advocacy strategy. The Policy and Research Specialist will work closely with Oxfam – the influencing (advocacy and policy) lead of the SCC.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support on delivery and production of policy products for the SCC.
- Within collaboration with SCC members’ programme teams and the SCC’s influencing lead, compile, gather, and analyze information and data from programme activities to use for advocacy purposes, and SCC’s evidence-based advocacy.
- Develop and lead research methodologies, relevant to the SCC’s advocacy strategy, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Support the development of communication materials for the SCC.
- Manage internal and external communications for the SCC.
- Manage dissemination and external events related to learning agenda.
Experience and technical competencies:
- 3-5 years of experience working in research and influencing-related functions
- Experience working with communities and crisis affected populations
- Ability to identify research and policy priorities across SCC Resilience Programme Framework pillars
- Ability to lead on the design and implementation of research projects and policy activities
- Strong understanding of the political and humanitarian context in Syria
- Ability to develop and design communications materials (blogs, articles, photos and videos)
- Proven experience of qualitative and quantitative research, including research design and methodologies, data collection and analysis
- Ability to travel outside Damascus with possibility of overnight stays in field offices
Behavioural competencies:
- Attention to details, and ability to work under pressure
- High level analytical skills
- Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships quickly with a wide variety of people
- Patient, adaptable, flexible, able to improvise and remain responsive and communicate clearly and effectively under pressure
- Excellent planning, management and coordination skills, with the ability to work with little supervision
- Strong communication (written and spoken), and interpersonal skills, with experience in coordinating multicultural teams
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, including political science, international relations, media, journalism, or communications. An advanced degree in related discipline is beneficial.
Languages:
- Excellent written and spoken skills in both Arabic and English
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
- Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.
We offer:
Contract length: 6 months
Level: Non-Management – G2
Location: Damascus - Syria
Expected Start date: 01 September 2025
Application process:
Interested? Then apply for this position here: Advocacy Specialist - Consortium Policy and Research Specialist - Application Form
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV-only applications will not be considered.
Applications close: 26 June 2025
Need further information?
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website www.drc.org
Working at DRC
Help applying
DRC as an employer
Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:
- Professionalism, impact & expertise
- Humanitarian approach & the work we do
- Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
- Culture, values & strong leadership
- Fair compensation & continuous development
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.