Overview of AJWS

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is the leading Jewish organization working to fight poverty and pursue justice in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. By supporting hundreds of social change organizations in 17 countries, we respond to the most pressing issues of our time—from disasters, genocide and hunger, to the persecution of women and minorities worldwide. With Jewish values and a global reach, AJWS is making a difference in millions of lives and bringing a more just and equitable world closer for all.

Overview of Team

The Development Division at AJWS is responsible for raising the revenue that supports AJWS’s grantmaking and advocacy. The Division includes the following departments: Institutional Giving, Major Gifts, Development Operations and Donor Engagement. Members of the Division partner closely with the Communications and Marketing, Programs, Finance and Administration and People and Culture teams, as well as the Executive Office and Board of Trustees, instilling a culture of philanthropy across the organization. The Division is responsible for cultivating, stewarding and soliciting donors, building a deep connection and commitment to our work for our supporters.

The Institutional Giving team in the Development Division is responsible for raising approximately $16 million each year and monitoring grants from professional foundations, governments, corporations, Jewish federations and select family foundations.

Position Summary

AJWS is looking for a committed individual with exemplary writing skills and a deep engagement with social justice/human rights to join our Institutional Giving team. Help us raise the money that supports the critical work of our grassroots partners in movements for sexual health and rights; civil and political rights; land, water, and climate justice; and humanitarian response.

The Senior Development Officer, reporting to the Associate Director of Institutional Giving, is an integral member of a five-person team that centers the work of our grantee partners and values integrity, passion, collegiality, responsibility, and alignment with AJWS’s mission. The successful candidate will be responsible for raising funds from institutional (foundation and government) funders and managing these grants in collaboration with our colleagues in Programs, Finance, and other AJWS divisions. This may include assisting in project design, budget management, creating and monitoring deliverables, identifying risks, and managing relationships between and among internal and external partners, and responding to other development-related needs that may arise.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Managing proposal and reporting processes of high-level institutional donors, which includes writing dynamic, compelling, and thoughtful proposals and reports;
• Maintaining and facilitating relationships between and among internal and external stakeholders;
• Managing a portfolio of current and potential institutional funders;
• Working with Programs and Finance staff to draft budgets and financial reports, and coordinating deliverables across departments;
• Establishing and sustaining long-term partnerships with institutional funders from cultivation to solicitation to ongoing stewardship;
• Coordinating and leading cross-team, interdisciplinary processes to secure and manage government and foundation grants, and ensure compliance with donor requirements;
• Identifying and researching prospective institutional funders;
• Working in collaboration with staff across the organization to strategize around prospective funding and engage funders on new and existing projects through proposals, presentations and other written materials and through meetings;
• Presenting well-reasoned recommendations for engaging (or not engaging) prospective funders;
• Presenting new funding opportunities to executive leadership;
• Maintaining a strong working knowledge of all AJWS programs.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a minimum of 3 years of experience in related field;
• Superb writing, research, and analytical thinking skills;
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities;
• Commitment to/engagement with human rights/social justice issues;
• Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively, meet deadlines, work under pressure, prioritize and complete multiple, complex projects, and maintain consistent attention to detail;
• Demonstrated experience writing successful, high quality grant proposals or authoring comparable written work;
• Background in soliciting and managing grants or other complex projects;
• Ability to travel internationally and nationally;
• Strong commitment to the mission of AJWS;
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and willingness to learn and use SalesForce and other platforms/tools utilized by AJWS.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of/deep interest in the economic, political and social issues confronting communities in the Global South.
• Working knowledge of French or Spanish a plus.
• Knowledge of American Jewish communities a plus.

For consideration, please submit the following:

• A cover letter that a) includes highlights of your work (paid or unpaid) that are relevant to this position and b) identifies which elements of AJWS’s mission, values, and/or work align impelled you to apply.
• A resume.
• At least two writing samples, authored by you, at least one which is persuasive.

Location:

Remote – Contiguous US-based
*This role is flexible in nature and can be performed from a home office in the contiguous United States.

Compensation and Benefits Information

• Salary Range: $77,000-$100,250;
• This role is full time (40 HRS), Exempt;
• This is a union position;
• Paid Time Off: 15-22 Federal and religious holidays off each year in addition to generous vacation and sick days;
• Full health benefits coverage with minimal contribution by employees;
• 403(b): 4.25% company match (safe harbor);
• Flexible Spending Account and Commuter Benefits;
• Workplace flexibility and generous leave policy.

Additional Considerations

Black, Indigenous and People of Color; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, Trans and Gender nonconforming people; women; people raised poor or working class; and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We also encourage applications from people of diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.

As an organization committed to promoting social justice around the world, it is essential that we incorporate a diverse, equitable and inclusive lens into all aspects of our work at AJWS. We encourage applicants with a global perspective and a commitment to values around diversity, equity, and inclusion to apply.

How to Apply

For immediate consideration, apply below. Applications submitted without a resume and personalized cover letter will not be considered. We thank you for your interest in career opportunities with AJWS. Due to high volume, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.