Country Representative, Jerusalem At American Friends Service Committee

Program Description:

AFSC began its work with Palestinian refugees in Gaza in 1949. Since 1950 AFSC has also maintained a presence in and worked with both Palestinian and Jewish populations in Palestine. Drawing on over 100 years of work and service, and in light of the trends that we see in the world, AFSC focus its efforts on three strategic programs over the next 10 years, namely: just and sustainable peace, just economies, and just responses to forced displacement and migration.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

The Country Representative will serve as an official representative for AFSC; she/he manages contacts with government ministries, UN agencies, and international NGOs and communities. The ideal candidate will have strong skills in fundraising, project development, communications, political analysis and research. He/she will have a strong knowledge and experience in Policy and Advocacy, Program Quality, Finance Management and Administration, as well as liaising with government.

She/He will report directly to Regional Director for the Middle East, consults, and collaborates with regional team and Philadelphia based staff and others as appropriate. She/He will support overall management and program direction, external coordination with organization, legal obligations, reporting, interpretation, and stewardship of AFSC resources in coordination with program managers and regional leadership

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES: The key responsibilities of the Country Representative include the following:

Program Development, Research and Management

1. Analyze, research, develop and identify programmatic interventions and define future work plans aligned with AFSC regional and global strategy.
2. Work closely with the regional leadership and country Program Manager on the overall management and coordination of programs.
3. Participate in country and regional planning activities and other joint planning and program review meetings; propose guidelines to be incorporated and adapted to the regional strategies into program approaches and contribute to regional and organizational learning.
4. Lead the process of creating a Country Strategic Plan
5. Promote inclusion and equity in the program planning, implementing and management with emphasis on issues of differences within communities; young people’s leadership; gender equality and respect for diversity; in coordination with HR.
6. Conduct research to inform policy and advocacy work both in the country and in the US.
7. In collaboration with Regional and country teams, conduct needs assessments to provide Humanitarian Aid based on community needs.
8. Programmatic alignment with organizational strategy reflecting country’s needs.

Representation, Fundraising and Networking

1. Establish and strengthen institutional relationships and partnerships with stakeholders relevant to the organizational strategic goals of the program in local and international NGO sector, media, research institutions, UN agency officials and government ministries. Develop familiarity with relevant stakeholder plans. Participate in relevant coordination meetings.
2. Lead the process of identifying and exploring potential options for funding
3. In cooperation with the Middle East Regional Office contribute to the planning and implementation of fundraising strategies including identification and relationship building with donors based in country, preparation of proposals, and host donor visits.
4. In consultation with the Regional Director, contribute to the elaboration of communication and advocacy strategies to influence changes at local, national, regional and international levels.
5. Working with the regional team on Policy change and Advocacy in the US and coordinating closely with the Palestine Program Director in the US.

Administration and Supervision

1. Maintain proper registration and legal status of the offices with government agencies as needed, consistent with AFSC guidelines and in consultation with the Middle East Regional Director.
2. In coordination with the Regional Finance and Administration Manager, conduct recruitment processes with approval of RD,
3. Perform staff development, performance planning and review. Ensure that all staff are familiar with and work toward the long-term vision and strategic goals of AFSC.
4. Ensure fiscal management of supervised programs including oversight of budgeting and accounting procedures defined by AFSC and donor partners, preparation and timely processing of monthly financial reports, and oversight of contracts and materials.
5. Together with the Regional Finance Manager, provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control including compliance with Middle East In-Field Authorization Manual.
6. Overseas finance and administrative services in the country.
7. Together with the ME Regional Director, analyze and develop strategic staffing plans and budgets to secure the right people with the right skills in the right place
8. Provide leadership support to staff and promote best practices in people management

Accountability and quality

1. Ensure that AFSC standard regulations and operational procedures (Code of Conduct, Infield Authorization Manual, Board Policies and Quaker Values) are followed.
2. Guided by the MEAL best practices, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities
3. Ensure that social justice, equality, and gender equality principles are integrated in the work of the country office internally and externally.

Security

1. Following the guidelines of AFSC’s security policies, develop security protocols, manage emergency situations as they arise, and make recommendations to the Regional Director regarding security and emergency response.
2. Conducting regular updates on security status with local security focal points and staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: A university degree preferred in related fields such as social studies, peacebuilding, international affairs, economics, and management. Master’s degree is preferred

EXPERIENCE: Five years or more of experience in managing international programs with a focus on planning and managing peacebuilding and/or humanitarian assistance, recovery and development programs in conflict affected areas. Deep understanding of issues related to the conflict in the Middle East. Experience in fundraising and developing project proposals and relationships with prospect donors is required

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal
2. Self-starter with ability to work with minimal supervision
3. Strong research and analytical skills.
4. Knowledge of the context and the culture in Middle East, specifically on Palestine\
5. 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.
6. Experience with peacebuilding, conflict transformation programs, and nonviolent approaches to problem solving are highly desirable. Capacity to plan, organize and train others through participatory approaches.
7. Ability to cope in situations of high risk and in compliance with security measures, to work under pressure, and to organize time effectively.
8. Fluency in spoken and written English.
9. Spoken and Written Arabic is desired
10. 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.
11. 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 18 – Exempt – AFSC provides a comprehensive salary which includes a country differential and savings (available for assignments of at least six months). For appointees with children, reasonable school costs are also covered, and each child is eligible for savings allowance. Note: country differential and school costs only apply to staff who are living in a country that is not their home country. Benefits and insurances provided by AFSC are dental care, group life insurance, health, short and long-term disability, accident, and high-risk insurances. Emergency evacuation and business travel insurances are also provided.

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 maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities, and thus requires vaccination for COVID-19; as well as adherence to social distancing, masking, and office occupancy protocols.

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.