Message from Washington Office on Africa

For contact information see also http://adna.africafocus.org

Washington Office on Africa Seeks Executive Director

The Washington Office on Africa (WOA) is the only ecumenical organization in Washington focused on Africa advocacy. It was founded in 1972 to support the movement for freedom from white-minority rule in southern Africa. Today its mission is to promote a progressive US policy for all Africa and to advocate and educate with government, church and civil society around issues of justice and human rights in Africa.

Who we are:
The Washington Office of Africa is a joint ministry of over 12 sponsoring Protestant denominations and Roman Catholic mission

institutions and it embraces a broad constituency of activists, in and out of the church.

In 2004 it developed the framework for a parallel structure to strengthen the research and education work that is part of the WOA tradition. It established a 501 (c)(3) organization, fully registered and accredited, with its own Board, which is poised to begin its work as the Washington Office on Africa Policy Research Institute (WOA/PRI). The incoming Executive Director will undertake the exciting challenge and opportunity of shaping an organization to meet the needs of the new millennium.

Summary of responsibilities
WOA's primary role is to serve as a voice in Washington for its member denominations and faith communities on issues concerning Africa and U.S.-Africa policy. Thus an essential mission of the Executive Director is to brief Africa secretaries and others on critical legislation and policy issues on the Washington agenda and to reflect the views of its sponsoring members in debate. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the programs, services and activities of the Washington Office on Africa (WOA) and WOA/PRI and, with the Board, sets policy, research, legislative priorities and lobbying activity.

The Executive Director will:

- Monitor U.S. policy toward Africa and Congressional legislation regarding Africa; develop appropriate WOA positions on policy and legislation in collaboration with the Board and African and U.S.-based partners and advocate for that position.

- Co-ordinate and be personally involved in lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill, providing advocacy opportunities for WOA constituents by coordinating special advocacy initiatives.
- Maintain and strengthen collaborative relationships with sponsoring organizations, key community organizations and WOA-related constituency groups in the United States and partner organizations and groups in Africa, also maintaining relationships with a range of official and government contacts.
- Serve as primary media spokesperson.
- Maintain the research and publication program, designed to educate constituencies and empower effective advocacy.

Operational Oversight - the Executive Director will:

- Facilitate an ongoing strategic planning process, and help the Board president and executive committee plan agendas and develop materials for Board meetings.

- Prepare an annual budget for the Board’s approval.
- Work with the Board and staff to discover and pursue sources of funding for projects in line with the priority agenda.
- Approve expenditures and monitor financial administration.
- Conduct searches, appoint, supervise and evaluate staff and interns.

Qualifications Education and Experience Required.

- A clear familiarity with recent political, social and economic developments in Africa.

- A demonstrated commitment to advocacy relating to human rights, diversity and participatory social change in the U.S., and an understanding of the participating faith communities and their theologies of mission and social justice, which form the base of WOA’s work.
- At least five years senior experience in a progressive, preferably small non-profit agency that required fundraising and management oversight.
- Maturity, a high level of energy, organizational skills, an ability to multi-task under pressure in a small office, while maintaining attention to detail.
- A demonstrated competence with budgeting, fiscal management and oversight.
- A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with diverse staff, interns, board and constituency; sense of humor helpful.
- A demonstrated ability in public speaking, written and oral analysis and communications.
- Familiarity with Windows, MS Access, Front Page and MS Publisher helpful.

Salary: Salary range $52,000-$62,000 dependent on experience and education.

Benefits: Generous benefit packet available, and some flexibility in work schedule possible.

Application process: Qualified applicants should send a cover letter describing interest and qualifications, a resume, names and contact information for three work-related references and a brief writing sample to: [email protected] . Electronic application is preferred but candidates may, if necessary, forward their completed application to Applications Secretary, Washington Office on Africa, 212 East Capitol Street, N.E., Washington, DC, 20003.

Time line: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on November 30th; the position will remain open until filled.

The Washington Office on Africa is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, sexual orientation or nature of disability. WOA is a smoke-free workplace.