Senior Director, Policy Center

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Senior Director, Policy Center to lead its first in-house policy center. The policy center will produce research and advocacy materials that showcase HIAS’ field-based expertise and thought leadership advancing refugee protection and humanitarian principles, aligned with HIAS’ uniquely faith-based and faith-sensitive approach. The position will bring leadership, vision, substantive knowledge and deep ties to the forced displacement and humanitarian sectors. Working closely with the Vice President, International Policy & Relations, they will lead the launch of the policy center, setting strategy, determining thematic areas for research and publication, supervising thematic policy experts and recruiting fellows. They will coordinate with other departments and HIAS’ country offices, engage with a wide range of external stakeholders and represent the policy center on panels, with HIAS’ Board of Directors and at other external events.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Sets global policy, research and strategy for HIAS’ policy center.
• Working closely with the Vice President, International Policy & Relations and other relevant departments, identifies priority areas to advance HIAS’ global thought leadership through research, publication and outreach.
• Engages regularly with relevant policy partners.
• Oversees the quality of thought products (reports, articles, opinion pieces and policy papers) produced, published and launched by the policy center.
• Represents HIAS during launch events for thought products.
• Supervises 3 direct reports and consultants, as needed.
• Represents policy center activities to HIAS’ Board of Directors, as required.
• Performs other related duties.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate or professional degree required, with a focus on law, international relations, public affairs, development or relevant field of history or social science.
• 8-10 years of experience in the international refugee or humanitarian sectors, academia, think tanks, government or equivalent.
• Expertise in forced displacement.
• Strong record of research and publication.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Significant ties to relevant external stakeholders, including in government, academia, multilateral organizations, think tanks, NGOs and/or civil society.
• Fluency in English required; fluency in Spanish and/or French preferred.
• Commitment to HIAS’ mission and values, and refugee protection.

EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION:

All employees are expected to represent the organization in alignment with HIAS' mission, vision and values. Some employees of HIAS are expected to speak externally on behalf of the organization with clients, donors, affiliates, partners, etc. as part of their work-related responsibilities. Applicants for these roles acknowledge and accept the inherent risk associated with external representation of HIAS.

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.