Senior Organizer and Programs Manager

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 AJWS Advocacy and Jewish Engagement (AJE) team envisions and executes all strategy towards a progressive foreign policy agenda that affirms and promotes human rights with U.S government stakeholders and institutions on behalf of our partners around the world. The work leans heavily on a national network of rabbis, cantors, and Jewish communal institutions who coalesce to play an essential role in advocating for justice and human rights in US foreign policy.

Position Summary

The Senior Organizer and Programs Manager is a central member of the AJE team, serving as a relationship builder, coalition organizer, and translator of policy goals into advocacy opportunities. In partnership with the Associate Director, they build relationships with leaders in AJWS’s grasstops network (rabbis, cantors, major donors, and communal institutions), identify and design opportunities for them to advocate and advance AJWS’s legislative and policy priorities, and organize programs, events, and skills trainings. The Senior Organizer and Programs Manager also plays a key role as coordinator of the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network (the JRJN), the prominent anti-genocide coalition representing 35 organizations and all major branches of American Judaism. They represent AJWS in other coalition spaces and meetings with government officials as needed, and work with the Associate Director to run AJWS’s signature Global Justice Fellowship (GJF) and Global Justice Chavurah programs for clergy. This role is an exciting opportunity to help shape the vision and direction of AJWS’s Jewish Engagement program in partnership with smart, strategic, and kind teammates.

The ideal candidate will excel at building and maintaining relationships; turning legislative priorities into opportunities for effective grasstops action; and organizing people, coalitions, and educational, training, and community-building programs. They will be a collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and a willingness to step in where needed to help the department succeed. Familiarity with the Jewish communal landscape and the rhythms and cultures of Jewish life, plus some previous advocacy or organizing experience is required, though experience specifically with federal/Congressional-level advocacy or international human rights is not.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Jewish Engagement.

Job Description

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Collaborate with department leaders to design strategies for engaging grasstops leaders (clergy, high-level donors, and board members) to advance AJWS’s legislative and policy priorities and then implement key elements of that strategy.
Grow and strengthen AJWS’s network of grasstops leaders by organizing relational meetings with current and potential leaders, keeping members of the network informed about our advocacy work, and looking for opportunities to connect grasstops leaders to advocacy and leadership development opportunities.
Organize and help design advocacy opportunities for grasstops leaders and lead some of them as interested and appropriate (e.g., organizing Congressional lobby days for clergy and donors in collaboration with Advocacy staff or designing action alerts/other digital advocacy in collaboration with Communications and Marketing staff).
Plan educational, training, and community-building programs for grassroots leaders online and occasionally in person, and potentially facilitate some of them as interest and capacity allow. This may include Global Justice Chavurah meetings, issue briefings, meetings with grantee partners, advocacy skills trainings, and social and relationship-building gatherings.
Manage the Jewish Rohingya Justice Network. Direct its strategic vision, maintain and strengthen relationships with coalition partners, build toward shared leadership of the coalition, organize meetings, and activate the group for advocacy work as needed.
Support the re-establishment of AJWS’s Global Justice Fellowship by working with the Associate Director on recruiting, program planning, and logistics.
Represent AJWS in coalitions and with partner organizations and government officials as needed.

Required Qualifications:

At least 7 years of professional experience that includes experience in some type of advocacy or organizing work (e.g., issue advocacy, community, labor, or political organizing, organizing volunteers for a cause, Congressional work, campaigning), preferably including experience designing effective advocacy campaigns or opportunities.
Track record of building authentic, trusting relationships with volunteers and/or people like clergy, donors, and/or elected leaders. Enthusiasm for meeting and connecting with people across various lines of difference.
Experience successfully supporting or managing a coalition or representing an organization with a leadership role in a coalition.
Familiarity with the American Jewish communal landscape and the rhythms and cultures of Jewish life, and some understanding of the American Jewish community as a political constituency. Comfort engaging in conversations about Jewish values and social justice.
Excellent organizational, program planning and project management skills. Ability to stay on top of multiple projects, plan backwards, anticipate challenges, and identify and involve stakeholders. Demonstrated high level of attention to detail and ability to take a concept from idea to implementation.
Strategic mindset: always looking for openings to bring people and action opportunities together, develop leadership skills in volunteers, and create a leadership pipeline.
Excellent interpersonal, listening, and verbal communication skills. Experience speaking or writing to explain an issue or how to advocate for it.
Demonstrated success working independently and as part of a team, and actively contributing to a collaborative, collegial environment. Candidates should have a sense of humor, low ego, flexibility, and commitment to working in a collaborative team setting.
Willingness to travel occasionally, both domestically and internationally (contingent on travel being permitted)
Working knowledge of, or willingness to learn, Microsoft Office, our CRM (Salesforce), and tools for digital advocacy.
Excitement about using the tools of advocacy to mobilize American Jewish leaders in support of just and human rights-affirming U.S. foreign policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

Some familiarity with, or interest in learning about, federal legislative processes and international human rights.

Additional Information:

Salary: $77,000-$100,250
Location: Remote – US-based, location-specific (Washington, D.C., or New York City area)
*This role is flexible in nature, having some responsibilities that can be performed virtually from a home office and some responsibilities that must be performed at our advocacy hub in Washington, D.C., or New York City
This role is full time (40 HRS), Exempt

Travel Required:

If not based in Washington, D.C., willingness to travel to D.C. office several times per year, as well as other occasional domestic travel required (contingent on travel being permitted).
Willingness to travel internationally a few times a year (contingent on travel being permitted).

Compensation and Benefits Information

AJWS is committed to a salary framework that aligns with our culture and values. The compensation range reflected is in alignment with our framework and individual pay decisions will vary based on skills and experience while still allowing for growth.
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 non-conforming people; women; and differently abled people 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.

Authorization to work in the US is required.

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.