UN Representative, Program

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: New York, NY

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin on June 7, 2024 . Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

Brief Summary of Organization

QUNO New York works in close partnership with UN diplomats and officials to increase the global commitment to the UN’s role in building lasting peace. We believe that the UN will only fulfill this aspect of its mandate when its peace initiatives truly respond to community needs, and we seek to build bridges between the UN in New York and voices from the ground.

QUNO staff members facilitate dialogue among UN stakeholders, help bring new ideas and perspectives from the ground to the international policy agenda, offer expert input into UN processes and represent the insights and concerns of Quakers at the UN.

QUNO consists of two offices, one in New York and one in Geneva, providing a joint Quaker witness and Quaker presence at the United Nations. The QUNO New York office is set up as a partnership between the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), acting together as trustees of the Quaker witness and the Quaker presence at the United Nations in New York.

The Quaker UN Committee (QUNC) for New York is responsible for approving a QUNO strategic plan; setting program priorities; carefully reviewing and assessing proposed program entry points1 to ensure efforts are focused in areas where QUNO can be most effective; and monitoring and evaluating QUNO program against specific indicators and measures of progress

The QUNO New York office is legally and administratively part of the AFSC, based in Philadelphia. At present, the QUNO New York office is using a hybrid model of work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Summary of Principal Responsibilities

There are currently three Quaker UN Representatives at QUNO New York, including the Director. This Representative position functions as a senior member of the QUNO team, sharing program responsibilities while taking particular care QUNO’s Program Assistant program. Their principal responsibilities include: taking a lead role in developing and implementing work on QUNO program entry points in collaboration with QUNO program partners; providing leadership for the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of QUNO Program Assistants; taking part in QUNO advancement efforts as needed; and reporting to the QUNO on areas of program work. In terms of supervision, the UN Representative, Programs supervises and mentors one of the QUNO Program Assistants.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the UN Representative, Programs include the following:

Representation

1. Act as part of the representative team of the Religious Society of Friends at the United Nations. Communicate the insights, perspectives and concerns of Quakers to the UN community as appropriate.
2. Model inclusive, non-violent and collaborative approaches in interactions with the UN community, in accordance with Quaker testimonies and practices
3. Establish and maintain relationships with key diplomats at UN missions, UN staff, and NGO representatives who work in areas relevant to QUNO program.
4. Represent QUNO at relevant UN program-related meetings. Alert the QUNO Director to meetings requiring their presence.
5. Represent QUNO at meetings of Friends, Quaker service agencies, and AFSC as required.

Program Development and Implementation

1. Develop and implement work on QUNO program entry points in collaboration with QUNO program partners. QUNO entry points will be carried out in accordance with the working methods and the overarching strategy set out in the current QUNO strategic plan, to expand the constituency of support for people-centered and sustainable peace among key UN stakeholders.
2. Work collaboratively with the QUNO Director and other QUNO staff to identify key entry points, while also engaging in regular monitoring and evaluation against specific indicators and measures of progress. Be prepared to present discernment on entry points and monitoring and evaluation for review by the QUNC on a regular basis.
3. Liaise with QUNO Geneva, AFSC, FWCC and other Quaker service agencies around QUNO entry points. Accompany the appropriate participation of these organizations at the UN.
4. As appropriate, and in consultation with the Director and in partnership with QUNO colleagues and AFSC Development staff, seek funding for their program work.

Administration and Operations

Oversee the QUNO Program Assistant program, providing leadership for annual recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of QUNO Program Assistants.

Advancement

Support and take part in QUNO advancement efforts as needed. Responsibilities include working with QUNO Program Assistants to inform stakeholders about QUNO program work at the UN using the QUNO website and social media; contribute to the annual QUNO Program Review; and participate in occasional fundraising and outreach activities.

Staff Supervision, Development and Support

Supervise and mentor QUNO Program Assistants, Associates or Fellows, as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduate degree or the equivalent experience in a related field (e.g. international affairs, public policy, international law, non-profit administration).

You will be the right person for the job if:

1. You demonstrated program experience in a related field (e.g. international affairs, peacebuilding and conflict resolution, international humanitarian assistance and development, public policy and diplomacy).
2. You bring eight or more years of experience in non-profit administration and program implementation, including staff supervision.
3. You demonstrate commitment to values-based policy or social change work.
4. You possess strong interpersonal skills that enable you to work productively as a member of a team.
5. You are familiar with consultative decision-making processes, and are able to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
6. You demonstrate the ability to work independently and take initiative, while embracing new challenges as learning opportunities.
7. You are fluent in written and spoken English and possess excellent writing skills

Other Required Skills and Abilities:

1. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies, and an understanding of the concerns and insights of the Religious Society of Friends world-wide.
2. Knowledge of the UN system and international diplomacy.
3. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate respectfully with people of diverse backgrounds and who hold different perspectives.
4. Understanding of and commitment to the principles and practices of QUNO and AFSC with regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.
5. Experience working collaboratively in a small team. Ability to organize time, give attention to detail, and carry out careful planning and follow-up.
6. Availability to attend evening and weekend meetings and to travel nationally and internationally, working overtime as needed.

Compensation: Unit Director II ($69,000 – $88,955) – Exempt – 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, national origin, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities, and thus recommends vaccination a; as well as adherence to social distancing, masking, and office occupancy protocols.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the US are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

The Quaker United Nations Office is a smoke-free workplace.

How to apply

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.