Director of the MCC United Nations Office

Position description

The Director of the MCC UN Office guides MCC’s UN presence as a global platform for church and MCC partners across the world to advocate, communicate and educate regarding social and political policies and practices that promote justice, peace, and reconciliation. The Director interprets the UN to MCC, engages areas of MCC priority and comparative advantage with the UN, and creates transnational platforms of thought leadership, learning, and collaboration.

The Director manages the flow of visitors and information in and out of the office and oversees MCC UN office staff. The Director also relates to staff of UN agencies, Member State Missions, and NGOs, according to focus areas. The Director relates to other faith-based and other NGOs and advocacy organizations at the UN, colleagues across the various MCC bodies, especially international program, to constituent universities and congregations, and to key audiences beyond, through meetings, relationships, writing and speaking engagement.

As Director of one of three members of the MCC Advocacy Network – Washington, Ottawa and the UN – the Director maintains regular contact with the MCC Canada and MCC U.S. Program Directors, MCC Area Directors, Country Representatives, and advocacy offices, for mutual support on common issues. The three Directors of the Advocacy Network meet regularly to collaborate on common strategic planning and advocacy agendas and priorities

Essential:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent relevant experience in political science, development studies, theology, law or peace studies.
• Minimum 3 years of experience with research, analysis and writing.
• Competence in using software tools including word processing and email.
• Ability to communicate competently with UN Officials and diplomats.
• Ability to negotiate complex structures of the UN system.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.

Employment eligibility: Legally eligible to work in the U.S. MCC offers of employment are subject to a successful criminal background check(s).

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or equivalent experience in political science, development studies, theology, law or peace studies.
• 1-3 years of experience living and working outside of Canada and United States. International experience is essential for understanding international affairs addressed in the UNO.
• Knowledge of an official United Nations Language is an advantage.

Specific Tasks and Duties:

Oversee work of the MCC UN Office – 35%

• Supervise the Advocacy Associate and the MWC/IVEP (Mennonite World Conference/International Volunteer Exchange Program) intern if placed: Participate in recruitment and selection processes; negotiate work plans and meet periodically to discuss progress; conduct annual performance reviews.
• Oversee routine office management: develop, monitor and report on budget for the work of the office.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of annual MCC UN Student Seminar, including communicating with and recruitment from schools, with the Advocacy Associate coordinating logistics.
• Oversee the Michael J. Sharp Global Peacemaker Award, including organizing the selection committee and nominating process.
• Oversee the announcement of the Michael J. Sharp Global Peacemaker Award, including coordinating communication
• Oversee office sign-ons to UN statements.

Engage in advocacy work at the UN based on priorities determined in collaboration with International Program Department – 40%

• Active involvement in key UN working groups, including the Israel/Palestine Working Group, the NGO Working Group on Korea, and the NGO Working Group/Security Council.
• Engage with UN NGO working groups for priority areas to develop campaigns on specific issues before the UN, build coalitions with colleagues among the NGOs, prepare briefing papers and organize meetings and briefings.
• Maintain regular contact with MCC’s International Program staff, especially Area Directors and Country Representatives relevant to UN office’s priority issues, to develop MCC’s approach or positions on a given issue.
• Develop relationships with key UN staff and Member State staff for priority areas: connect regularly, provide resources from MCC’s experience and contacts.
• Host MCC workers and partners to serve as resource persons to UN community: set up briefing meetings and office visits.
• Give special attention to building relationships with diplomats from countries where MCC has program beyond the U.S. and Canada.
• Make at least one trip each year to visit an IPD program or area to connect with program work and gain background for advocacy.

Report on MCC’s work at the UN to International Program and speaking and writing for MCC constituency, and to key audiences beyond – 25%.

• Communicate relevant UN activities and priorities to MCC departments and colleagues, including: MCC Advocacy Network Gatherings, General and Leadership Orientation (for orientation on Advocacy), Annual Board meetings upon request, occasional additional relevant Executive Committee or International Program leadership meetings.
• Explore collaboration with Mennonite World Conference, including IVEP/intern placement and student seminar.
• Oversees the publication of Global Briefing, quarterly newsletter from the UN office.
• Write occasional columns in both Mennonite publications and beyond
• Write occasional reports, articles and other media for Communications Department for a variety of publications.
• Oversee MCC UN Office web page, which will be maintained by the designated office communications coordinator.
• Read, analyze and write about issues critical to the office’s work.
• Build and cultivate connections between MCC’s UN Office and MCC’s constituency, including Mennonite World Conference.
• Reach out to constituency and other colleges and universities, and GSL (Global Service Learning) alumni globally, to cultivate participation in the UN Seminar and other events at the UN that would be of interest to constituents.
• Host visitors and delegations (students, pastors, etc.) coming to New York, connecting them with NGO or mission offices or accrediting them to UN conferences depending on their interest
• Make oneself available to preach or speak at constituent churches and schools to promote the work of MCC at the UN and beyond.
• Policy Interpretation.

Other duties as assigned on a temporary basis.

Supervision: This position currently supervises one person.

Travel expectations: Up to 20% of time away. Travel is both national and international.

Application instructions

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