Associate General Secretary for U.S. Programs – Philadelphia, PA

Job Description

 

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization, which includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace, and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Associate General Secretary for U.S. Programs
DEPARTMENT: Programs Division
SUPERVISOR: General Secretary
REGION/UNIT: Central Office
LOCATION: Philadelphia, PA

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Since the AFSC was founded in 1917, the organization has worked to promote lasting peace with justice in communities worldwide. The American Friends Service Committee has four US regions—Northeast, South, Midwest and West, with approximately 45 programs working locally, regionally and nationally–as well as in collaboration with international programs–to bring local and wider-scale change toward lasting peace and justice.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate General Secretary for U.S. Programs (AGS-USP) is a critical senior manager within the AFSC, focused on work in US regions and cross-regional programs. The position provides programmatic, administrative and financial supervision for activities of wide geographic range, complex scope and evolving nature carried out by US-based programs staff. The Associate General Secretary is also a vital public face of the organization and a key factor in the success of fund raising for programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Organizational Support

  1. Provide overall leadership for US-based Programs of the AFSC. Maintain comprehensive, in-depth understanding of current national issues, AFSC program work, and organizational best practices.
  2. Supervise, guide, and ensure regular evaluation of US Programs staff members and provide direct supervision of the US regional directors. Provide management support to the regions to ensure adherence to personnel, legal, and financial regulations and responsibilities.
  3. Work closely with the Associate General Secretary for International Programs and the Assistant General Secretary for Integration and Impact to enhance working relationships between and among U.S. and international programs and to encourage joint program planning whenever it is feasible.
  4. Support the US Regional Directors in their work with regional executive committees which advise the AFSC Board of Directors regarding program choice and regional priorities for implementation of the AFSC strategic plan.
  5. Provide leadership for the development and utilization of management systems, policies, and frameworks.
  6. Articulate shared purposes, philosophical and spiritual motivation for AFSC work, both orally and in writing, and assist in conflict resolution, crisis management and the development of sound and creative working relationships throughout the AFSC.

Decision-Making

  1. Support and advise the General Secretary in decision-making, making effective use of consultative leadership groups.
  2. Function as an effective decision maker in areas of direct responsibility, recognizing that staff members are highly skilled and motivated and that consultative decision-making (where alternative views are sincerely received) is highly desirable.

Planning and Direction

  1. Set day-to-day priorities, engage in long-term, medium-term and short-term planning and ensure that organizational decisions are followed.
  2. Keep abreast of major political, economic, social and cultural issues that may affect the program work of the AFSC and help to ensure that the AFSC is responsive to the changing external landscape and to opportunities to bring about positive change in the world.
  3. articipate in regular meetings of senior staff leadership groups charged with advancing the AFSC mission.

Financial Management / Fundraising

  1. Direct the development and monitoring of budgets and ensure compliance with financial and management systems, procedures, and processes of the U.S. regions.
  2. Review financial reports of the regions and detect and address any irregularities.
  3. Support and oversee US region participation in broad fund raising efforts of AFSC and ensure compliance with AFSC grant guidelines and procedures.

Outreach and Communications

  1. Help to ensure that effective channels of communication are maintained between and among staff members in the Programs Division and between the Programs Division and other units and offices of the AFSC.
  2. Communicate concerns from staff members to the General Secretary, relevant executive committee and other governance bodies and policies and strategic direction from governance bodies to staff members.
  3. Represent the AFSC by speaking publicly and writing for publication on issues related to the work of the AFSC.
  4. Represent the AFSC and serve as liaison to other organizations at meetings and conferences, etc. With respect to US Program work, support US regional staff in maintaining strong relations with the Religious Society of Friends, Friends groups and other faith-based organizations.

Collaboration

  1. In collaboration with program colleagues and relevant executive committees, plan, guide, and monitor the development, implementation and evaluation of US Programs.
  2. Work with the regional executive committees to provide performance evaluations of regional directors on a regular basis and coordinate the joint appointment process in the case of any open regional director positions.
  3. Actively seek opportunities to collaborate with organizations, professional groups, institutions, etc. that will expand the reach and maximize the effectiveness of the AFSC.
  4. Model collaborative behavior to staff members and to the larger humanitarian services community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Advanced degree in organizational management, public policy, or a related area is preferred. A baccalaureate degree and an outstanding history of management performance may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

EXPERIENCE:

  1. Significant experience in program management and administration, including at least ten years of senior managerial responsibility in analogous organizational setting with a minimum of five years of direct responsibility for programs. A minimum of ten years of professional experience, with at least five years of supervisory experience. Non-profit experience is a plus.
  2. Experience in community-based, social justice program work is desirable.
  3. Demonstrated experience in budget management.
  4. Demonstrated ability to work within a complex organization and decision-making process, and to facilitate the effective use of the time and effort of staff members and volunteers.
  5. Demonstrated capacity to incorporate both the principles and policies of affirmative action into all aspects of AFSC work, as living witness to the Quaker belief in the equality and worth of all people.
  6. Experience or thorough comfort level with functioning on an international level.

 

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  1. Commitment to the faith-based principles and guidelines that define the work of AFSC, including a commitment to nonviolence, equality and anti-oppression work and a belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
  2. Strong analytical skills in areas of economics, politics, social movements and human rights. Ability to utilize analysis to inform program planning and development.
  3. Ability to connect with diverse audiences and to influence situations using tact and diplomacy.
  4. Ability to persuade and motivate others and to gain the respect and attention of AFSC staff members and volunteers.
  5. Ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities.
  6. Proven ability to reach out collaboratively to individuals, groups and organizations.
  7. Strong interpersonal skills with knowledge of and experience in using consultative, decision-making processes.
  8. Available to travel often, to attend evening and weekend meetings, and to be available for consultation within and outside office hours.
  9. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  10. Excellent computer skills.
  11. Initiative, creativity, drive, energy and a sense of humor.

 

COMPENSATION: Salary range of $115,000-$120,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include 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, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

The AFSC central office is a unionized workplace, represented by District Council 47 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO. This is management position and is not represented.

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

Associate General Secretary for U.S. Programs – Philadelphia, PA

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