Jordan: Regional Director, Middle East

Application Deadline: October 15, 2017

For consideration, please attach your cover letter and resume to the online application.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

The Regional Director is the official representative of the AFSC in the Middle East, and as such is expected to translate Quaker values into action in the region. The Regional Director leads, develops and manages AFSC programs in the region and provides the vision and leadership for the organization’s policy, advocacy and public education in the U.S. related to U.S. policy in the Middle East. They supervise and guide AFSC staff in the region. The Regional Director is responsible for the stewardship of the AFSC’s financial, material, and human resources in accordance with the organization’s mission and values, including staff development and supervision, delegating to members of the regional team as needed, compliance to AFSC policies, and program growth.

The Regional Director is expected to live in Jordan and will lead Middle East program expansion which includes identifying strategic opportunities for conflict transformation, establishing peace building relationships and exploring program partnerships. The Regional Director should be deeply committed to promoting lasting peace with justice through our work.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the Regional Director, Middle East include the following:

Program Planning and Management:

1. Provide leadership and program vision; oversee the planning, development and implementation of AFSC’s work in the Middle East, ensuring program quality, impact, and coherence with AFSC values, principles, and the organizational and regional strategic plans.
2. Provide leadership and oversight for the development of regional and country program plans and budgets. Explore opportunities for program growth working through and with existing stakeholder and others. Develop idea proposals and finalize funding proposals and annual budgets to be recommended for approval to the AFSC International Programs unit.
3. Provide leadership and guide the policy, advocacy and education priorities and strategies in the U.S. related to countries in the region.
4. Supervise the recruitment and professional development of all staff in the region and direct reports.
5. Ensure overall fiscal management and stewardship of programs.
6. Ability to work independently, yet within a framework of long-distance communication, consultation, and decision making while liaising with Middle East and Philadelphia staff on a regular basis for planning, monitoring, support and evaluation.
7. Ensure that systems are in place for adherence to AFSC policies and procedures, and that policies are understood by all staff with a consultative approach.
8. Maintain the legal standing of AFSC in each country where there are programs. Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations governing AFSC operations.
9. Oversee the management of all security issues, including emergency situations as they arise, and make recommendations to the Associate General Secretary regarding AFSC’s emergency response.

External Representation and Outreach:

1. Articulate AFSC’s basic philosophical and faith-based principles, as appropriate, with staff and partners, including the organization’s commitment to a nonviolent approach to conflict and long term strategies for peacebuilding.
2. Oversee programs and institutional relations with Middle East governments, local partner organizations, and other international bodies, seeking to promote and enhance partnerships and collaboration.
3. Support AFSC’s convening role within the region - bringing people together who would not otherwise meet to address issues critical to the development of peace in the region.
4. In cooperation with relevant AFSC departments and staff, participate in developing and implementing fundraising plans and promotion of AFSC programs in the Middle East, with special attention to regionally-based donors and to the needs of programs in the devolvement processes.
5. Maintain regular communication and pursue areas of continuing collaboration with Quaker partners, donors, and other stakeholders and institutional partners.

Policy Analysis and Advocacy:

1. Collaborate with US based staff in Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New York and in the US regional offices in development and implementation of advocacy strategies and messages related to the region, with special attention to U.S. audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in related field; advanced degree in international studies, non-profit management, or peace studies is desirable.

Experience:

1. At least 10 years working experience with an international organization managing complex programs, including program planning and administration, evaluation, proposal writing and fundraising, managing budgets and accounts, staff supervision and training. Experience in more than one country required; minimum of 6 years of experience in the Middle East required.
2. At least 4 years’ experience in a senior management position with oversight of staff, budgets, fundraising and representation; at least 5 years of practical experience in program planning and implementation with demonstrated knowledge of participatory consultative methodologies and strategies.
3. Demonstrated experience in advocacy work and knowledge of US culture and political system.

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

1. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
2. Required experience with peace building and conflict transformation programs and nonviolent approaches to problem solving highly desirable.
3. Current and historical working analysis of social, economic, political, and development issues facing the Middle East, and U.S. policies affecting them.
4. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
5. Demonstrated ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in speech and writing; fluency in spoken and written English and professional proficiency in Arabic required.
6. Demonstrated ability to work effectively remotely from Central Office, while participating in a highly consultative process for decision making. Ability to set priorities and to meet deadlines. Ability to work under pressure in the social, political, and physical environments of the Middle East. Ability to delegate and work with a team.
7. Ability to travel frequently and under the particular travel requirements of the assignment. Ability to cope with situations of high risk in compliance with security measures.
8. Computer skills (PC/Windows), particularly in word processing, spreadsheet and database applications (MS Office), and e-mail.
9. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff

Compensation: Salary Range starts at $89,318 –Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity**,** sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

To apply, please visit https://www.afsc.org/job-center and complete and submit an online application.