Peacebuiding Director

Status: Full-Time, Exempt (Salary)

Location: Open (Cambodia, Guatemala, Jordan, Kenya, Philadelphia office or remote with frequent travel)

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

Salary range:  95k-120k

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 Peacebuilding Director will promote the American Friends Service Committee’s (AFSC’s) peacebuilding work around the world. AFSC has a 10-year strategic plan with three key program themes (Just Peace, Just Migration and Just Economies).

The Peacebuilding Director will lead the development and monitoring of strategic objectives for the thematic goal for International Programs.   They will advise program staff on best practices in the field and support program development, establish thematic priorities, implement peacebuilding initiatives, and represent AFSC in global conversations on peacebuilding. This position has a critical role to help build cohesion within international programs and across the US and Global Cohesion Division. 

The Peacebuilding Director will report to the Associate General Secretary (AGS) for International Programs and will be part of the IP Management Team which includes the IP AGS, Operations Director, the Migration Director and the IP Regional Directors. The Director can be remote or based in any of the four international regional offices or in the central office in Philadelphia. 

The Peacebuilding Director plays a crucial role in implementing AFSC's 10-year strategic plan by developing a cohesive peacebuilding strategy across 17 country programs. This position involves advising program staff on high-impact program plans and coordinating activities, dialogues, and research to build networks, influence key stakeholders, and drive systems change in the field. As a thought leader, the Director will represent AFSC in global conversations on peacebuilding.

Working closely with Regional Directors in International Programs, the director will oversee the peacebuilding strategy and budget, advise on best practices, and lead global Dialogue and Exchange Programs (DEPs) in collaboration with relevant country teams. They will also support implementation and monitoring efforts with the PMEL team, set strategic objectives, and enhance IP capacity in discussions around peace, climate justice, and organizational commitments.

Additionally, the Peacebuilding Director will promote AFSC’s peacebuilding work globally, build networks that benefit programs, and identify opportunities to present the AFSC narrative to external audiences. They will assist Regional Directors and Country Representatives on programmatic, communication, and resource development matters, guiding teams in creating strategic and effective proposals and plans. The Director will also collaborate with program staff and advancement teams to develop proposals, reports, research, and communication materials, dedicating 20% of their time to the Global Cohesion Division and working with teams such as PMEL and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Within the Global Cohesion Division, and its Just Peace Hub, the Peacebuilding Director will take a leadership role with the US Programs Peacebuilding Director, to further a cohesive organizational vision that promotes synergy among programs across the organization. This will include identifying shared global theories of change, shared outcomes and collaborative systems change efforts.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Thought Leadership: 

• Create, and curate field-wide best practices and resources on peacebuilding including the development of research, guidelines, and innovative practices to help increase program effectiveness.
• Provide technical assistance, in partnership with the Regional Directors, to program staff. With regional and country teams, support the development of research and writing (policy briefs, case studies, white papers) and editing.
• Develop and monitor strategic objectives across International Programs and in collaboration with US Programs and Global Cohesion Division.
• Produce a periodic update on issues relating to the Just Peace thematic work and provide periodic reports and short articles on trends, issues, and developments for internal use and/or for publication. Participate in speaking tours and informational exchanges globally as needed and support staff in externally facing presentations.

Socio-political Analysis and Facilitation of Dialogue: 

• Maintain up-to-date analysis of trends across our country and regional offices, particularly related to conflict trends and underlying causes, to be shared with colleagues throughout the organization and with relevant program supporters.
• Identify opportunities for engagement. Develop contacts, become familiar with institutions and organizations and maintain appropriate partnerships that are strategic in efforts to promote peaceful resolution of conflict and influence the types of change and practice identified in the conflict analysis in coordination with IP leadership, policy and regional staff.

• Open and sustain dialogue among groups and institutions relevant to program focal issues (these could include non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research organizations, community leaders, networks, scholars, journalists, diplomats, and government officials).
• Organize forums or events to promote dialogue on specific topics of concern. This can be done through national, regional, inter-regional, and international gatherings and meetings, or by following quieter approaches – off the record dialogues, study visits and exchanges.
• Build and participate and represent AFSC in networks related to peace and justice.

Capacity Building and Support 

• Facilitate research projects relevant to work. Exchange information and share analysis, as appropriate, with community, academic, and religious leaders, government officials and journalists.
• Support relevant capacity-building efforts, through exposure visits or arrangement of training opportunities to promote peacebuilding methods and provide models of structural change on conflict issues identified in the contextual analysis.
• Maintain periodic contact with Quaker groups, to keep them abreast of AFSC’s work and approach to peaceful social change as needed.

Program Management and Reporting 

• Conduct regular contextual analysis for the 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.

Relationship 

• Represent IP Peacebuilding work in consultation with key staff including Regional Directors, Country Representatives, Program Directors and Policy staff.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key global partners, Quaker, and peacebuilding organizations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with US thematic staff and other key programmatic events including PMEL (Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) staff.
• Participate in thematic gatherings and learnings across the organization as part of the new Global Cohesion unit.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects 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. Master’s degree in Peacebuilding and Conflict resolution or related field.
• Minimum Experience Required. Minimum 10 years’ experience in Peacebuilding required.  Additional experience in  informal/quiet diplomacy, conflict analysis, conflict resolution and transformation, mediation, and multi-party dialogue.
• Knowledgeable about at least two AFSC region’s political and socio-economic history. Understanding the causes of conflict.
• Prior living and working experience living outside of the United States, ideally in a county where AFSC conducts international program work.
• Required fluency in written and spoken English and another language (for example: French, Spanish, Arabic, etc) preferred.
• Facility for public speaking, organizing events, and producing materials for publication for diverse audiences in the regions, North America and Europe.
• Track record of developing successful proposals and engaging with donors. Demonstrated knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Experience in strategic thinking, program planning and implementation. Ability to work independently in an unstructured setting yet within a framework of careful communication, consultation, and decision-making.
• Strong writing skills.
• Ability to work in the 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Other Required Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to listen creatively and to communicate effectively with people of diverse perspectives. Demonstrated ability to build trust across lines of conflict and in exchanges with high-level leadership and community-based groups and individuals.
• Facility in organizing formal conferences and seminars is required.
• Prior experience with an international organization working in more than one region.
• Experience applying anti-oppression and feminist principles to work.
• Demonstrated understanding and experience of sound financial record- keeping/accounting and financial program reporting.
• Ability to travel frequently, to cope in situations of high risk and to comply with security measures and policies.

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: Thematic Director Job Code Thematic 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.