Middle East Policy Advocacy Director

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Washington, DC

Application Deadline: May 14, 2024

Salary range: 75k-85k

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

The Policy Advocacy Director for the Middle East will work to develop and further a Middle East Advocacy Strategy and is responsible for advancing the issues of peace and justice in the Middle East through policy advocacy, public education, and constituency mobilization. The Director implements and measures the impact of strategies to influence U.S. thinking, policy, and practice relating to the Middle East with key focus on advocacy related to Palestine.

The position reports to the Regional Director for the Middle East based in Amman, Jordan, with secondary/dotted line reporting to the Just Peace Global Policy Director in Washington D.C and is part of the Middle East Leadership Team. The position requires building relationships and collaboration with key movement partners and networks working on matters related to U.S. Middle East policy. In addition, they coordinate internally with AFSC international programs, US based staff, Office of Public Policy (OPPA), and the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in New York. The Director keeps abreast of the relevant contextual realities, emerging issues, and policy developments in the U.S. and the Middle East with a focus on Palestine. The Director attends external meetings and conferences, creates resource documents, and speaks publicly on behalf of AFSC.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

1. Within the framework of the approved AFSC strategic plan, the Middle East Regional Advocacy plan, develop specific goal-oriented actions and ways to measure progress, appropriate for achieving the strategic objectives in the United States.
2. Identify strategic opportunities for advocacy. Facilitate and/or participate in external advocacy meetings, organized actions, and convenings to discuss priority issues associated with the Middle East.
3. Produce education and communication materials such as Action Alerts, newsletters, policy briefs, reports, and content for social media platforms and relevant news outlets in consultation with the Middle East Regional Team, the Policy Office, and the Communications Department.
4. Collect information and analysis from the Middle East Leadership Team and package for policy audiences in Washington; in the context of doing so, carefully manage confidential materials and information.
5. Build relationships with relevant key bodies and decision makers and coordinate/implement potential joint activities.
6. Carry out identified advocacy and diplomacy efforts informed by the Middle East leadership team, partners, AFSC policy and advocacy staff, and the QUNO Director and staff.
7. Plan, lead, or coordinate campaigns, delegations, speaking, and study tours as approved in the strategies in consultation with the appropriate AFSC bodies.
8. Keep abreast of current political, security developments and contextual realities in the region and research and produce analytical educational materials and analysis for internal usage.
9. Actively participate in internal networks including with the US Palestine Activism program and the policy round table and work with the Office for Public Policy and Advocacy to develop content, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation efforts.
10. Monitor progress toward achievement of goals and objectives of strategies and programs, undertake regular evaluations to measure outcomes and impact and draw lessons to inform programs and decision-making.

Organizational Support

1. Ensure that all assigned projects are carried out effectively and professionally and are consistent with the mission, goals, and objectives of AFSC.
2. Promote teamwork to achieve a common purpose.
3. Engage in continuous professional growth.
4. Adhere to all AFSC policies and procedures.

Decision-Making

1. With the overall guidance and consent of the Regional Director for the Middle East, coordinate consultations and solicit comments on key policy papers, advocacy strategies, media materials, and public education plans.
2. Provide consultation on thematic or geographic issues related to the Middle East and facilitate discussions and input around possible initiatives or on how to address emerging problems.
3. Participate in the Middle East Leadership Team, Regional staff, and internal meetings with other advocacy staff.

Communications

1. Provide verbal and written briefings and updates on Middle East issues to appropriate audiences, as needed.
2. Maintain regular contact with regional team members in the Middle East and visit staff and programs on a regular basis; make timely requests for information from the field in order to leverage strategic advocacy openings as they are identified.
3. Under the direction of the Regional Director for the Middle East, draft position statements, press releases, op-eds, talking points, etc. and manage the process for review, as defined by AFSC policy.
4. Coordinate work with the Communication Department (media, web, and publication team) and serve as an information resource on Middle East issues for AFSC staff members.
5. Take the time necessary to become well informed of the Middle East work to communicate the work and underlying principles with eloquence.

Collaboration

1. Facilitate or participate in collaboration between staff members throughout AFSC on advocacy themes and convene or participate in advocacy-related calls with relevant persons as necessary.
2. Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with organizations, professional groups, institutions, etc. that will expand the reach and maximize the effectiveness of the AFSC.
3. Regularly participate as a member of the U.S. Palestine Activism Network, Global Policy Round Table and engage with OPPA regularly.

Diversity and Inclusion

1. Consider accessibility and inclusivity in all planning and activities. Ensure no groups are excluded on the grounds of language, gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion, and so on, unless an event or activity is deliberately designed for a specific group.
2. Ensure all internal policy and practice in the coordinator's work reflect a commitment to inclusion, in terms of accessibility, recruitment, and other policies and benefits. Continue to educate staff on AFSC’s commitment to inclusion and what this means.
3. Encourage partners to adopt inclusive policies, practices, and considerations in all the activities they engage in with AFSC support, and beyond, if possible.

Administration

1. Formulate budgets for public education and advocacy work on the Middle East and participate in the annual budgeting processes.
2. Participate in the development of strategies for obtaining funds for the region, including writing proposals for grants and identifying potential donors.
3. Maintain all financial records on program work and prepare financial reports for accountability following organizational and regional finance procedures.
4. Supervise interns and fellows as required.

Other Responsibilities

1. Willingness to work beyond the Middle East Advocacy Strategy on related AFSC thematic foci with AFSC working groups, as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduate degree or the equivalent related experience in social policy, peace studies, conflict resolution, political science, international relations, law, or a related area studies field is required.

Experience:

1. Ten years’ experience or more in policy analysis, research, and advocacy work, including significant prior work experience.
2. Understanding of U.S. political processes and demonstrated ability to connect with government officials, congressional staffers, and key policymakers.
3. At least two years’ experience living and working in the Middle East preferred.
4. Demonstrated success in coalition-building, constituency outreach, public education, and working with academics, policy experts, and key non-governmental actors.
5. Demonstrated experience and understanding of conflict resolutions, conflict transformation, reconciliation, and peace building.
6. Ability to connect with diverse audiences, negotiate and influence situations using tact and diplomacy—both internally and externally.

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. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
3. Demonstrated high level of professional skill in written and oral communication in English. Skill in Arabic language desirable.
4. Ability to work independently, function well under pressure, and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities.
5. Proven ability to reach out collaboratively to individuals, groups, and organizations.
6. Ability to travel regularly, nationally and internationally, and to attend frequent evening and weekend meetings, working overtime as needed.

COMPENSATION: salary range: (75k-85)–Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life and accident cover.

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, national origin, 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 and have at least one booster shot 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 represented.

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