Program Assistant, Middle East and North Africa

American Islamic Congress

Location:

United States (Washington, DC)

Website:

http://www.aicongress.org

Contact Information:

Matt Ciesielski

Phone:

2025953160

Email:

employment@aicongress.org

Description:

American Islamic Congress (AIC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building interfaith and interethnic understanding. Our organization grew out of the ashes of September 11th. We believe American Muslims must take the lead in building tolerance and fostering a respect for human rights and social justice at home and throughout the Muslim world. Within the Muslim community, we are building a coalition around the agenda of unequivocal denunciation of terrorism, extremism, and hate speech. Reaching out to all people of conscience, we promote genuine interfaith dialogue and educate about the diversity within Islam. People of all religious backgrounds and faith traditions are encouraged to apply.

Position Summary: The Program Assistant (PA) is responsible for assisting the Senior Program Manager in coordination of a program to reduce sources of communal tension and violence in Iraq. The PA will work with AIC's existing field offices in Basrah and Baghdad and will focus on coordination of information flow and timely and accurate reporting of program objectives. Further the PA will serve as a conduit for communication between AIC Headquarters and our program offices in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly Iraq. This will mean significant communication in written and spoken Arabic. The PA will collect and organize operational and outcome data from the activities of field offices and use this data to assist in the drafting of regular progress reporting to donors and other interested organizations.

AIC has a very dynamic and entrepreneurial office environment and is constantly in search of ways to expand its portfolio conscientiously in the Middle East and North Africa. The PA would need to supply input and ideas as well as technical support in assisting AIC conceive of new goals and achieve them.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under supervision, create or makes substantial contributions to drafts of proposals, concept papers, reports, memos, program updates, work plans, and newsletter articles;
• Play a significant role in organizing local and regional program conferences, workshops and meetings;
• Proofread and inputs edits on quarterly reports and proposals;
• Provides administrative and logistical support to field offices and regional staff in Iraq;
• Collect and compile weekly, monthly, quarterly reporting data;
• Oversee logistical needs of assigned region, research and gather materials for country specific programs;
• Assist in drafting grants and associated material;
• Provide English – Arabic translation and interpretation;
• Monitor political events throughout the region;
• Assist in the planning of special events.

Qualification:

• A strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a fast paced environment within a small NGO;
• Familiarity with Federal grant regulations, international activities/issues relevant to AIC's operation environment;
• Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision;
• Fluency in Arabic and English, fluency in French a plus;
• Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets and database work;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• BS/BA in international relations, international development, communication, business, management strongly preferred;
• Experience with grant writing and development;
• Familiarity and Commitment to AIC's mission and purposes;
• Qualified to work in US.