Palestine Strategy Director

Position 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.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Palestine Strategy Director

JOB CATEGORY: Exempt (Salary)

STATUS: Full-Time

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Regular

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: AGS for US Programs / AGS for International Programs

REGION/UNIT: US/IP-CENTRAL OFFICE

LOCATION: US based/hybrid, with the ability to travel periodically.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through September 30,2025.

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 Palestine Strategy Director is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of AFSC’s global strategy related to Palestine. Since 1948, AFSC has worked in Gaza and Palestine and later expanded programming to Israel to realize a just and lasting peace for all people in the region. The work includes humanitarian and peacebuilding programming, advocacy and mobilization efforts in the U.S. and global policy spaces.

This role will oversee all AFSC policy advocacy, public education, and constituency mobilization strategy related to Palestine. The position requires thought leadership and partnership development with key movements, people, and networks working on matters related to Palestine.

The Director plays a crucial role in implementing AFSC's 10-year strategic plan by overseeing a cohesive Palestine strategy across US and International Programs (IP). This position involves supervising staff leading programs in the area. The Director will seek opportunities for high-impact interventions while developing a collaborative multi-year plan. They will coordinate high level dialogues, campaigns and/or research to influence key stakeholders, and drive systems change. The Director will represent AFSC in global conversations.

Working closely with colleagues across AFSC, the director will support implementation and monitoring efforts, set strategic objectives, and promote the Palestine advocacy work globally. The Director will also collaborate with program staff and advancement teams to develop funding proposals and letters; stewardship reports for donors and supporters; research for policymaker and other constituencies; and externally-facing communication materials.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Oversight

• Lead the development, implementation, and oversight of AFSC’s global strategy related to Palestine across U.S. and international advocacy and mobilization programs, in alignment with AFSC’s 10-year strategic plan.
• Supervise and support staff leading Palestine-focused programs, including the U.S. Palestine Activism Program Director and Middle East Policy and Education Coordinator, and other possible consultants and volunteers.
• Liaise closely with the Middle East Regional Director, Palestine and Israel Country Director, and other staff based in the Middle East, ensuring an effective, inclusive team approach.
• Closely coordinating with AFSC’s Action Center for Corporate Accountability (ACCA) and Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) team, US and IP advocacy leads, and Peacebuilding Directors.
• Identify and develop opportunities for high-impact interventions, campaigns, and collaborations that advance Palestinian rights and just peace in the region.

Advocacy and Public Engagement

• In coordination with the Global Policy and Strategy office, direct AFSC’s global policy advocacy and constituency mobilization related to Palestine, including influencing U.S. foreign policy, multilateral, and international institutions.
• Serve as a key spokesperson and representative for AFSC’s Palestine work in national and international forums, networks, coalitions, and media.
• Initiate, coordinate, and ensure implementation of high-level advocacy campaigns, public education initiatives, and policy briefings to inform and mobilize diverse audiences.

Program Integration and Coordination

• Promote cross-program cohesion by aligning strategies and ensuring consistent messaging and approaches across U.S. and international efforts.
• Support the development of multi-year program plans, research agendas, and coordinated responses to emerging political developments affecting Palestine.
• Facilitate integration of Palestine work with AFSC's broader global justice and peacebuilding agendas.

Movement and Partnership Building

• Build and nurture strategic relationships with Palestinian-led movements, global solidarity networks, advocacy groups, and policy influencers.
• Develop collaborative initiatives and shared platforms for advocacy and action with partners in civil society, academia, faith communities, and multilateral institutions.
• Support and model principled allyship in alignment with AFSC’s values and longstanding commitment to justice in Palestine.

Research, Communications, and Fundraising

• Collaborate with colleagues on a Palestine media and communications strategy. Produce timely and impactful policy briefs, public reports, op-eds, and other communications materials. Liaise on a regular, weekly basis with the communications department.
• Work closely with advancement teams to develop compelling proposals, donor reports, and stewardship materials that support Palestine-related programming and advocacy. Attend donor meetings as needed.
• Monitor and analyze political, social, and legal developments related to Palestine to inform AFSC strategy and public communications

Internal Collaboration and Representation

• Serve as a key resource on Palestine for AFSC staff and leadership, providing strategic guidance, coordination, and support across departments.
• Represent the Palestine work in internal leadership settings and planning processes, including collaboration with staff across divisions and departments.
• Participate in thematic initiatives and strategy development across the organization.

Supervisory and Management Responsibilities

• Directly supervise staff working on Palestine advocacy strategy and programming; support their development through coaching, mentorship, and performance evaluation.
• Ensure sound management of program budgets and alignment with institutional priorities and values.
• Contribute to organizational leadership through participation in cross-unit planning, reflection, and learning
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required. Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Peacebuilding, Foreign Policy, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in leading advocacy, systems change, and/or movement building required. Established leader in U.S. based mass mobilization efforts.
• Experience in conflict analysis, resolution, and transformation, including informal/quiet diplomacy, mediation, and multi-party dialogue with a focus on Palestine, is
• Prior experience managing, supervising, coordinating and inspiring teams working on Palestine advocacy and mobilization across U.S. and international programs and across diverse cultures (Middle East, North America, Europe).
• Experience effectively strategizing with organizational leadership and boards and implementing programs and initiatives that achieve systems change impact.
• Demonstrating field wide thought leadership and strategy in leveraging conferences, seminars, and events.
• Proven track record of achieving mass mobilization outcomes.
• Exceptional writing skills for advocacy, reports, and publications.
• Demonstrated financial management skills, including record-keeping and program reporting.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required.
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• 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 accommodations 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 Management. Job Code Section Head. Salary Family Range $95,000 - $120,000. 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, sex, 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 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.

Application instructions

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