Director, Localization

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS has an exciting opportunity to be part of the newly formed Humanitarian Partnerships, Policy & Practice (HPPP) team, which leads the organization’s engagement on a range of policy, programmatic and operational issues. As part of its policy and practice priority areas, HIAS is looking to deepen its commitment to localization and seeks a Director, Localization to oversee a localization pilot, assist the Associate Vice President, HPPP to build buy-in for HIAS’ localization efforts across the organization and with external stakeholders, and develop regional and country level localization support capacities. The Director, Localization will join a growing team and work cross departmentally to guide all relevant departments in actualizing HIAS’ localization strategy and benchmark and measure the organization’s progress on the strategy.

The HPPP department reports into the Senior Vice President, Programs and serves as the nexus between programs and operational departments. In pursuance of the six core components of localization (Partnerships; Funding; Capacity; Coordination & Complementarity; Policy, Influence & Visibility; Participation), and with the recent impacts of COVID-19 on the development and humanitarian aid sectors, HIAS sees the implementation of its strategy as more critical than ever. To this end, the Director, Localization will work with HIAS Regional and Country Offices and external stakeholders to identify areas for collective action.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervises and supports Regional Localization and Partnership Managers in developing an initial overview of the context of each country (including previous and ongoing work on localization) and supports country offices in implementing country-led localization strategies.

• Develops, socializes and oversees a pilot program of locally led projects in select countries.

• Aggregates and engages in thought leadership around best practices in localization, including funder advocacy.

• Codifies learnings from HIAS’ localization work and drafts external reports to be shared with relevant stakeholders.

• Supports the development of guiding policies and processes for HIAS’ localization and funder advocacy work and collaborates with other functional entities at HIAS to develop the necessary tools to implement HIAS’ localization strategy at the HQ, regional and country office levels.

• Communicates and builds buy-in for HIAS’ work in localization across the organization and with external stakeholders.

• Supports fundraising and thought leadership activities for localization efforts.

• Networks and fosters relationships between HIAS and other global leaders in localization, with an orientation toward funder advocacy.

• Engages regularly with HQ and field-based operational and programmatic staff and beneficiaries to maintain a clear understanding of the constraints to localization being realized through the implementation of programs and the delivery of services.

• Works closely with the Strategy & Measurement department to manage data collection, analysis and research tools and products, adhering to research ethics, as well as alignment with any local requirements on conducting research.

• Coordinates closely with the Regional International Program Directors and the Senior Director, Emergency & Humanitarian Programs to identify, broker and develop potential partnerships for emergency and humanitarian program implementation.

• Represents HIAS at relevant coordination and partnership forums.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree in a relevant field preferred.

• 6-8 years of progressive experience in the humanitarian and/or development sectors, with at least 4 years of direct field experience.

• Excellent understanding of localization and impacts to the delivery of humanitarian and/or development programming, serving as the localization subject matter expert.

• Proven research experience including conducting interviews and coordinating among stakeholders.

• Experience in developing tools and resources to assist country operations.

• Able to represent HIAS effectively and efficiently by developing partnerships and relationships with stakeholders in support of HIAS’ localization goal.

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills to address high-level, strategic needs while also engaging in routine coordination and administrative duties to implement localization strategies and support regional and country office teams.

• English fluency required; Spanish or French fluency preferred.

• Demonstrated understanding of localization, the humanitarian architecture and humanitarian principles.

• Experience brokering successful partnerships, particularly at the local level.

• Motivated, self-starter with the ability to work both independently and within a team.

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary settings.

SAMPLE HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts, and history of the Jewish people – a history of oppression, displacement, and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities, and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history, and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency, and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community, and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission, and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety, and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation, or other legally protected status.