Palestine and Israel Office Director / Representative

Summary:

The Carter Center’s Palestine/Israel office director/representative will develop and implement the Center’s Peace Program activities, including conflict resolution, democratic governance, election and human rights. The Director will work from the Center’s offices in Ramallah, with regular consultations with stakeholders in Palestine, Israel and abroad. S/he will report to the Carter Center’s Peace programs, U.S. headquarters in Atlanta.

Qualifications:

The minimum requirements for the Palestine/Israel office director/representative: Bachelor’s degree in a field related to the program area, and a minimum of seven years of experience developing and implementing programs related to conflict mitigation, governance and elections, and human rights. Diplomatic skills required to liaise effectively with senior officials, civil society and grassroots activists, and representatives of the international community. The preferred candidate would hold a relevant higher graduate degree, have extensive experience with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, have an established network of diverse civil society leaders across the divides, have fluent Arabic and English language skills, and be able to travel throughout Palestine and Israel.

Responsibilities:

A) Represent The Carter Center in Palestine and Israel as the director for the Center’s projects on conflict resolution, democratic governance, elections and human rights, and more generally on all political issues as required.

B) Maintain ongoing liaison in Palestine and Israel with key international agencies, diplomatic representatives, the Palestinian Authority, Central Election Commission (CEC), security officials, political and civil society stakeholders, including political party representatives and candidates in elections, NGO and civil society leaders, and other key stakeholders and institutions.

C) Work with the Center’s Israel and Palestine staff and consultants, and assist in project and proposal development and implementation including:

1. contributing to a strategic advocacy campaign;
2. developing and implementing workshops, capacity-building sessions, and public fora;
3. identifying key partners, analyzing topical issues and contributing to public advocacy;
4. developing and implementing conflict resolution, governance, democracy, elections and human rights programming; and
5. participating in and supporting initiatives of local partners in Palestine and Israel.

D) Work in close cooperation with the Center’s Peace Programs and Development Office staff, liaise with key contacts in the international donor community to assess potential interest in supporting approved Carter Center activities.

E) Supervise office staff and, as appropriate, consultants to implement all aspects of project activities as set out in strategic programming plans, working in concert with Atlanta-based staff.

F) Provide political analysis and advice to The Carter Center, including drafting briefing papers and weekly reports on political developments and Palestine-Israel office activities.

G) Provide periodic reports to Atlanta on the progress of projects being implemented, including both substantive issues and administrative information.

H) When appropriate, and in close consultation with Atlanta staff, draft Carter Center press releases and public statements on democracy, governance, conflict resolution, and human rights issues.

I) Supervise logistical support to project consultants as program activities warrant, and support the organization and implementation of staff and consultant visits to Palestine and Israel, as needed.

J) Maintain the Carter Center office in Ramallah, including:

1. oversight of office rental space and equipment;
2. assume fiduciary responsibilities and manage the Carter Center bank account in Palestine and Israel;
3. recruit, hire, and train additional field office staff, when authorized and needed; and
4. other tasks as needed.