Middle East and North Africa Director of Crisis Action

Crisis Action

Location:

Egypt (Cairo)

Website:

http://crisisaction.org/en/

Contact Information:

Andrew Hudson

Phone:

202 2 7942221

Email:

marwa.el-ansary@crisisaction.org

Apply online:

Click here to apply online for this position >>

Description:

Key Details

Salary: Competitive International salary, depending on experience

Starting date: As soon as possible

Responsible to: Executive Director of Crisis Action

Principal Roles

1. Building a diverse, flexible and innovative network in North Africa and the Middle East to campaign for the protection of civilians in armed conflict – you will position Crisis Action as the hub of campaigning on issues of armed conflict. You will achieve this by proactively recruiting diverse partners and by delivering high impact campaigns. You will liaise with senior representatives from a wide range of potential partners and demonstrate to them the added value of working in coalition.

2. Leading campaign strategy – The main area of your work will be working with our partner organizations to drive forward and develop campaigns that mobilize the resources and influence of civil society to the greatest possible effect. This process will involve advising on strategy, proposing initiatives and then implementing diverse advocacy activities. These could include media work, liaising with senior officials, preparing reports and briefings and identifying and building relationships with potential allies inside and outside government.

3. Political Analysis - Focusing on actual or potential conflicts of most concern to our partners, you will ensure that Crisis Action supplements their understanding of potential solutions by analyzing the policy positions of key governments in the Middle East and North Africa region as well as the Arab League and GCC. You will ensure that Crisis Action builds up in-depth and sophisticated understanding of the key governments' and institutions' positions towards relevant conflicts, the results of which will be top quality advice to partners on advocacy demands, strategy and suggestions for action.

4. Leading the development of Crisis Action in North Africa and Middle East – As our North Africa and Middle East Director, and a senior member of our international team, you will lead the development of the organization regionally, help support Crisis Action's development globally and ensure Crisis Action engages seriously and constructively with the MENA region. You will bring an ambitious entrepreneurial attitude with you and will be asked to assist with devising and implementing our fundraising plan, our organizational strategy and our vision.

5. Supporting our global work – With offices in Cairo, London, Brussels, Berlin, Paris and New York and Nairobi, Crisis Action will support the work of our partners campaigning for the protection of civilians on the international stage and aims to increase the impact of joint work exponentially. You will be a core part of this team, jointly strategizing around regional and international policy and how to change it. You will also help us reach out to potential partners in countries where we don't have a presence and seek to engage and support them.

6. Advocacy – As a senior member of our international team, you will organise, lead and facilitate civil society delegations in meetings with key political officials in the MENA region. Key to this is the ability to develop strong relations with diplomats, senior officials and decision makers in the region.

7. Fundraising & Donor Liaison –You will lead the MENA office's fundraising efforts and build and sustain relationships with existing and potential donors.

8. Management and Administration – you will be in charge of a small team and be responsible for ensuring that the work of the MENA office is conducted to the highest professional standards. You will be responsible for the financial management and the running of our operations in MENA / Cairo.

Qualification:

Person Specification

The following are essential:

• Documentation to work in Cairo

• Fluent written and spoken Arabic and English.

• A proven track record in campaigning, media, advocacy or lobbying.

• Proven ability to analyse complex political issues and to define sophisticated strategies for achieving policy change.

• Excellent political judgement and instincts, especially with regard to foreign affairs.

• Knowledge of - and experience in - influencing government policy in the region.

• Expertise in working with the media, including ability to write articles, prepare media releases, contact journalists and promote stories.

• High level contacts in politics, the media and the civil society sector.

• Ability to instil trust and confidence in partner organisations and colleagues from a variety of backgrounds.

• First-class interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to cultivate high-level contacts within governments, the media and the voluntary sector.

• Excellent writing skills, and clear competence in the use of research tools

• Ability to identify campaign opportunities and activities.

• The drive and initiative necessary to take ideas forward to fruition in a coalition setting.

• High levels of energy, enthusiasm and ambition.

• Resilience and an ability to cope with multiple internal and external demands.

• Commitment to Crisis Action's aims.

• Willingness to take responsibility for and sometimes to delegate the administrative tasks associated with running a small organisation.

• Experience of managing a small team and taking responsibility for an operational budget

The following are desirable:

• Knowledge of conflict issues, especially with regard to the role of the international community.

• Understanding of the challenges involved in organising NGO coalition campaigns.

• Good understanding of current shifting political dynamics in the MENA region.

• Media experience

The following would be an added advantage

• Experience of using social media in campaigning in the region

• Additional languages

How to apply

If you would like to apply for this position, please:

Complete the Application Form found here: http://crisisaction.org/docs/crisis-action-2011-06-mena-director.doc

CVs may be attached but CVs alone will not be accepted. You must complete the application form found above

Submitting your completed application

Please submit applications by email.

• The document should be saved in Rich Text Format (.rtf).

• Please write: “Application: [Your name]” in the Subject line of the email.

• Completed application forms should be sent to: Marwa.el-ansary@crisisaction.org.

The closing date for receipt of all applications is Monday the 11th of July 2011