Job Details
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: Regional Director, Middle East Region
JOB CATEGORY: Exempt (Salary)
STATUS: Full-Time
TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Regular
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Associate General Secretary for International Programs
REGION/UNIT: International Programs
LOCATION: Amman, Jordan or another ME office location (Ramallah or Jerusalem
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through November 28,2025.
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 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 programs and policy advocacy and public education related to U.S. and EU 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 with AFSC policies, and program growth.
The Regional Director is expected to travel regularly between Jordan, Palestine, and Israel and will lead Middle East portfolio which includes development, implementation, and oversight of regional programmatic work on peacebuilding, migration, and humanitarian operations. The Regional Director should be deeply committed to promoting lasting peace with justice through our work.
Essential Functions / Responsibilities And Accountabilities
Program Planning and Operational Management:
- 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.
- 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 stakeholders and others. Develop proposals and finalize funding proposals and annual budgets to be recommended for approval to the AFSC International Programs unit.
- Partner with policy staff in the U.S. and Europe to ensure policy related to the Middle East is connected to regional priorities and expertise.
- Supervise the recruitment and professional development of all staff in the region and direct reports.
- Ensure overall fiscal management, operational systems, legal compliance in offices, and stewardship of programs.
- Work 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.
- 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.
- Maintain the legal standing of AFSC in each country where there are programs. Ensure compliance with local laws and regulations governing AFSC operations.
- 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
- 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.
- Oversee programs and institutional relations with Middle East governments, local partner organizations, and other international bodies, seeking to advance AFSC’s thought leadership, network building and partnership collaboration.
- Develop 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.
- 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.
- Maintain regular communication and pursue areas of continuing collaboration with Quaker partners, donors, and other stakeholders and institutional partners.
Program Management and Reporting
- Conduct regular contextual analysis for the Associate General Secretary (AGS), the International Program Group and the Joint Program Committee. Create and track strategic direction papers, annual work plans, budgets and semi- annual narrative reports. Prepare program-related proposals and support donor reports in collaboration with the regional directors and grants team.
- Create and monitor global thematic plan for the peacebuilding portfolio with the US Peacebuilding Director.
- Advise and program staff on program plan development and proposals at a country and program level.
Policy Analysis and Advocacy
- Collaborate with policy and advocacy focused staff in the U.S., Europe and regional offices to develop and implement advocacy strategies and messages related to the region, with special attention to U.S. and European audiences.
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. Master’s degree in related field; advanced degree in international studies, non-profit management, or peace studies is desirable.
- 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.
- 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.
- Demonstrated experience in advocacy work and knowledge of US and/or EU culture and political system.
Other Required Skills And Abilities
- Ability to travel throughout the region to supervise work in Jordan, Palestine (including humanitarian operations in Gaza) Israel, Lebanon, etc.
- 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.
- Required experience with peace building and humanitarian programs and nonviolent approaches to problem solving highly desirable.
- Current and historical working analysis of social, economic, political, and development issues facing the Middle East, and U.S. & EU policies affecting them.
- 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.
- Demonstrated ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in speech and writing; fluency in spoken and written English and professional proficiency in Arabic required.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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 Salary Family: Regional Director, Job Code Regional Director, Salary Family Range: $95k – 120k. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, STD & LTD, defined benefit pension plan, plus other benefits including vacation, PTO, sabbaticals, extended leaves and holidays.
The American Friends Service Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity within our organization. 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.
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
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.
