Middle East Policy Education & Advocacy Coordinator

American Friends Service Committee; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 64,000 - 96,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Friends Service Committee is seeking a Middle East Policy Education & Advocacy Coordinator to develop and implement advocacy strategies promoting peace and justice in the Middle East. The position requires strong policy analysis, communication skills, and experience in advocacy and coalition-building, along with engagement with diverse audiences. It offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

403b match

Paid Time Off

Sabbaticals

Holiday leaves

Qualifications

• Graduated degree or equivalent experience in relevant fields is required.
• Minimum 5 years experience in advocacy work.
• At least 2 years living and working in the Middle East preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement Middle East Advocacy Strategy.
• Produce education and communication materials.
• Coordinate campaigns and engage with stakeholders.

Skills

Policy analysis

Advocacy work

Public education

Coalition-building

Negotiation

Written communication

Oral communication

Cultural competency

Education

Graduated degree in social policy, peace studies, or related field

Job description

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

Join Our Team! Make A Difference.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Middle East Policy Education & Advocacy Coordinator

JOB CATEGORY: Exempt

STATUS: Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Regular

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Regional Director, Middle East

DOTTED LINE SUPERVISOR (IF APPLICABLE): Just Peace Global Policy Director, Washington DC

REGION/UNIT: International Programs

LOCATION: Washington DC, US

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 20, 2025

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

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Policy Education & Advocacy Coordinator 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 coordinator 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 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 of Policy (OPPA), and the Quaker United Nations Office (QUNO) in New York. The coordinator 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 coordinator attends external meetings and conferences, creates resource documents and speaks publicly on behalf of AFSC.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Program Development and Implementation

• Within the framework of the approved AFSC strategic plan develop specific goal orientated actions, and ways to measure progress, appropriate for achieving the strategic objectives in the United States, e.g.

Participate in and/or facilitate external meetings and conferences to discuss priority issues associated with the Middle East.

Produce education and communication materials such as Action Alerts, newsletters, policy briefs, reports and content for the website in consultation with the Middle East Regional Team and the Communications Department.

Collect information and analysis from the Middle Leadership Team and package for policy audiences in Washington; in the context of doing so, carefully manage confidential materials and information.

Build relationships with relevant key bodies and decision makers.

• Carry out and identified advocacy and diplomacy efforts informed by Middle East Leadership team, partners, AFSC policy and advocacy staff, and the QUNO Director and staff.
• Plan, lead or coordinate campaigns, delegations, and speaking and study tours as approved in the strategies, in consultation with the appropriate AFSC bodies.
• Keep abreast of current political and security developments and contextual realities in the region, and research and produce analytical educational materials and analysis for internal usage.
• Actively participate in internal networks to develop content, reporting and monitoring and evaluation efforts.
• Monitor progress toward achievement of goals and objectives of strategies and programs, undertake regular evaluations to measure outcomes, impact and draw lessons to inform programs and decision making.

Organizational Support

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

Decision-Making

• 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.
• 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.
• Participate in the Middle East Leadership Team, Regional staff, and internal meetings with other advocacy staff.

Communications

• Coordinate work with Communication Department (media, web and publication team) and serve as an information resource on Middle East issues for AFSC staff members.
• In coordination with the Middle East Leadership, serve as the principal U.S. contact on Middle East issues and provide verbal and written briefings and updates to appropriate audiences, as needed.
• Under the direction of the Regional Director for Middle East, draft position statements, press releases, op eds, talking points, etc. and manage the process for review, as defined by AFSC policy.
• Maintain regular contact with regional team members in Middle East 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.
• Take the time necessary to become well informed of the Middle East work in order to communicate the work and underlying principles with eloquence.

Collaboration

• Facilitate collaboration between staff members on advocacy themes throughout AFSC and convene advocacy related calls with relevant persons as necessary.
• Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with organizations, professional groups, institutions, etc. that will expand the reach and maximize the effectiveness of the AFSC.

Diversity and Inclusion

• Consider accessibility and inclusivity in all planning and activities. Ensure no groups are excluded on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity, religion and so on, unless an event or activity is deliberately designed for a specific group – i.e, Muslims, women etc.
• 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.
• Encourage partners to adopt inclusive policies, practices and considerations in all the activities they engage in with AFSC support, and beyond, if possible.

Administration

• Formulate budgets for public education and advocacy work in the Middle East in the U.S and participate in the annual budgeting processes.
• Participate in the development of strategies for obtaining funds for the region, including writing proposals for grants and identifying potential donors.
• Maintain all financial records on program work and prepare financial reports for accountability
• Supervise interns and fellows as required.

Other Responsibilities

• Willingness to work beyond the Middle East Advocacy Strategy on related AFSC thematic field with AFSC working groups, as appropriate.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

Directly or indirectly supervises employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training and engaging employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Education Required: Graduated 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.
• Minimum Experience Required: Five (05) years’ experience in policy analysis, research and advocacy work, including significant prior work experience in Washington, D.C. required.
• At least two years experience living and working in the Middle East preferred.
• Understanding of U.S. political processes and demonstrated ability to connect with government officials, congressional staffers, and key policy makers.
• Demonstrated success in coalition-building, constituency outreach, public education, and working with academics, policy experts, and key non-governmental actors
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of conflict resolutions, conflict transformation, reconciliation and peace building.
• Ability to connect with diverse audiences, negotiate and influence situations using tact and diplomacy—both internally and externally.
• Ability to work in the evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Demonstrated high level of professional skill in written and oral communication in English. Skill in Arabic language desirable.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Respect for Quaker values and testimonies. Knowledgeable and supportive of the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Exempt Salary Family: Program Officer II: Job Salary Family Range: $64,480-$95,459. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, Short Term Disability & Long Term Disability, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, Paid Time Off, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holiday’s.

The American Friends Service Committee provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sec, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This position is an at-will employment, meaning that the employment relationship can be terminated by either the employer or the employee at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. In addition position duties and expectations change over time. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.