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Job Title: IAN - Community Strategy, Organizing & Field Coordinator

 Date Last Updated: 10/3/2012
Job ID #: 10419
Role/Job Category: The Jewish Federations of North America
Organization Name: Jewish Federations of North America
Location: New York, New York
Status: Full-Time

Description: 

Israel Action Network - Community Strategy, Organizing & Field Coordinator
Jewish Federations of North America
Jewish Council on Public Affairs
New York, NY

Background 

In the period 1967-1973, the image of Israel in most of the world (outside the Middle East) was of a plucky, peace seeking little democracy defending its very existence against a wall of Arab hostility. The Six-Day and Yom Kippur Wars were widely regarded as legitimate exercises in national self defense. Today, outside of North America, where it still enjoys widespread understanding and support, Israel is increasingly seen as a colonial power that suppresses the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and causes unnecessary suffering to Palestinian non-combatants, whose military routinely engages in serious human rights abuses and even war crimes. This paradigm shift, in large measure, is the result of a steady drumbeat of anti-Israel invective emanating from governments and international forums, especially the UN Human Rights Council, combined with a global initiative of NGOs and anti-Israel activists seeking to delegitimize and demonize Israel, to accuse it of apartheid-like policies, and to press for boycotts, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) in churches, on college campuses ("ground zero" for BDS), in labor unions, in the cultural arena, in the corporate world, in local and state governments, and in other sectors. In recent years, these efforts have been intensified in North America and gaining traction, particularly amongst the left side of the political spectrum.

In light of the above, the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) has created a comprehensive, strategic, integrated and rapid response apparatus, initially for a three year period, to monitor and address challenges around-the-clock, as necessary.  Structured as a Command Center, with dedicated staff and program budget, it will utilize the national and local expertise of relevant organizations for the specific task at hand working in coordination with the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) and the JFNA/JCPA Israel Advocacy Initiative (IAI).  The project will enlist the formal guidance of a governing body consisting of key stakeholders from the Jewish Federations.


The Position 

Reporting to the Managing Director, IAN, with some latitude for independent decision making, the Community Strategy, Organizing and Field Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the organizing, outreach and advocacy efforts of the network of local Federations, Jewish Community Relations Councils and allied Communities that make up the Jewish Federation and Jewish Council for Public Affairs.  This will include creating, cultivating and stewarding pro-active relationships, training and advocacy activities.  The Coordinator will work to organize, strengthen, and support the field of Israel activists within the Jewish community to build strong and successful community infrastructures, strategies and actions to effectively counter efforts to delegitimize Israel and provide paths to advance engagement with Israel and the non-Jewish community.  In addition to strategic organizing and coordination with the field, the work will include    information gathering and sharing regarding identification of resources, programmatic opportunities, best practices, training and consultations, etc.

 
Responsibilities

  • Organize and provide support to the broad network of local Israel advocates working within the Jewish Federations and JCRCs to address the de-legitimization challenge
  • Map and monitor websites, communications and other aspects of national and international de-legitimization activities, and guide communities in their responses and in undertaking alternative efforts locally
  • Work with JCPA Communication Fellow and Media Manager department on social media, platforms and website
  • Provide rapid responsive assistance to communities facing specific de-legitimization challenges
  • Develop training and materials to educate communities and for use in their local programming
  • Assist communities with local programming
  • Coordinate dissemination of micro-grants for communities
  • Track record of success in developing and implementing plans of action based on strategic thinking
     

Qualifications and Attributes

  • Strong  strategic organizing, outreach and field support skills, i.e. community organizing, campaigns, coalition-building
  • Knowledge of the issues related to de-legitimization and the BDS movements
  • Excellent relationship building and nurturing skills as evidenced by work experience
  • Ability to be pro-active and nuanced in responding to individual community issues (one size does not fit all)
  • Strong team player
  • Strong self starter
  • Outstanding communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Knowledge of the Federation Movement
  • At least 3-5 years progressively responsible experience in Community Organizing  Jewish; experience  Community Relations Council or similar position  desirable



Desired Education Degree/Level: Bachelor's

Career Level: 5-10 yrs. experience

How To Apply
Contact For Job: JFNA MCLE - RW
Contact Title: Consultant
Preferred Contact Method: E-mail
Submit Resume to: personnel@jewishfederations.org
Additional Information: 


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