Senior Director, International Jewish Community Relations

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Senior Director, International Jewish Community Relations to lead HIAS’ strategy to engage international Jewish communities, organizations and leadership structures to advance HIAS’ role as the Jewish community’s leading global humanitarian organization. Reporting to the Vice President, International Policy & Relations, they will spearhead HIAS’ vision to create a global Jewish movement for refugee protection and welcome. The Senior Director, International Jewish Community Relations will also engage in internal discussions to ensure HIAS’ positions resonate and are messaged effectively to the range of international Jewish communities. Coordinating closely with HIAS colleagues in the US, Europe and Latin America, they will help leverage HIAS’ unique combination of refugee policy expertise, historic ties to Jewish communities and international field presence, to make new inroads with Jewish communal partners around the world.

Note, this position is based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland or our office in New York, New York, and we will consider a remote option for applicants who live outside of commuting distance to either of our offices and are based in other states in which we are registered (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Designs and implements HIAS’ international Jewish Community Relations strategy.
• Coordinating closely with HIAS Europe and Jewish community engagement staff in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), advances engagement with target communities to be voices on refugee protection and welcome.
• Works with field-based partners to assist Jewish communities in need.
• In coordination with Development colleagues, builds a donor base for refugee protection and welcome outside the US.
• Supports HIAS as it deepens policy, messaging and approach to Israel-Palestine issues.
• Oversees regional research on and publication about HIAS’ history with Jewish communities as a means of connecting with current communities and community institutions.
• Represents HIAS at key Jewish community fora, traveling as required.
• Coordinates with other departments within Global Public Affairs, Programs, country offices and with HIAS Europe to advance Jewish Community Relations priorities.
• Liaises with Communications staff to employ materials and social media to increase visibility of HIAS’ work with Jewish communities.
• Provides support monitoring the monthly budget and project management indicators.
• Provides direct supervision to a Jewish community engagement staff member in LAC, and coordinates regularly with HIAS Europe on Jewish community engagement programming.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in a relevant field required; graduate degree preferred.
• 8-10 years of relevant work experience, particularly with an NGO, UN or relevant government agency.
• Fluency in English and Spanish required.
• Track record of effectively managing direct reports and consultants.
• Deep understanding of global humanitarian and refugee protection issues, as exemplified by work experience or research record.
• General knowledge of Jewish communal organizational structures (e.g., key institutions, coordination mechanisms, donors, etc.), advocacy issues, policy positions and priorities.
• Collaborative, flexible team player with the ability to think creatively, logically and critically.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Commitment to HIAS’ mission and values, and refugee protection.

EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION:

All employees are expected to represent the organization in alignment with HIAS’ mission, vision and values. Some employees of HIAS are expected to speak externally on behalf of the organization with clients, donors, affiliates, partners, etc. as part of their work-related responsibilities. Applicants for these roles acknowledge and accept the inherent risk associated with external representation of HIAS.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.