Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships

Position Overview:

American Friends of the Parents Circle - Families Forum (AFPCFF) is a nonprofit organization committed to sharing the human side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with the American public in order to foster a peace and reconciliation process.

The Parents Circle – Families Forum is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of more than 750 bereaved families. Their common bond is that they have lost a close family member to the conflict. But instead of choosing revenge, they have chosen a path of reconciliation.

Our flagship initiative, Listening from the Heart, is a peace education program designed to engage communities divided around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in meaningful dialogue and reflection. The program fosters empathy, reduces polarization, and bridges divides around the Israeli and Palestinian public.

The Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships and will play a pivotal role in advancing the Listening from the Heart program by developing and managing strategic relationships with community organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. This position will focus on identifying and cultivating partnerships that support the expansion and impact of this program, as well as leading initiatives that bring together communities for transformative dialogue. The ideal candidate will be an entrepreneurial, innovative, and collaborative leader with a commitment to Israeli and Palestinian conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and education.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Partnerships:

• Identify, develop, and manage relationships with potential partners, including community organizations, universities, workplaces, schools, religious institutions, and other groups interested in engaging with the Listening from the Heart program
• Collaborate with the Executive Director to create and implement partnership strategies that align with the program's goals and the broader mission of AF-PCFF
• Serve as the primary liaison for partner organizations, ensuring effective communication, collaboration, and mutual benefit
• Develop and implement strategies to market the program to potential partners, positioning it as a valuable tool for fostering dialogue and understanding
• Work closely with program facilitators and educators to ensure the program meets the needs of diverse communities and delivers impactful experiences
• Oversee the planning and execution of key initiatives related to the Listening from the Heart program, including workshops, training sessions, and community events
• Stay informed about developments in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and education, and apply this knowledge to enhance the organization’s work
• Represent AFPCFF and the Listening from the Heart program at conferences, events, and meetings to promote the organization’s work and build awareness of the program’s impact
• Establish goals and monitor the progress of these initiatives, ensuring they are on track to meet objectives and deliverables

Resource Development:

• Partner with the Executive Director in developing and implementing fundraising strategies and messaging to support the expansion of the Listening from the Heart program and related initiatives
• Identify potential funding opportunities and work to secure grants and donations
• Prepare reports and presentations for donors, partners, and stakeholders, showcasing the impact of the program and the organization’s work

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience in cultivating strategic partnerships, program management, and a related role in a nonprofit or similar institution.
• Demonstrated commitment to conflict resolution, peacebuilding, or social justice work, particularly related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships and partnerships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Familiarity with academic institutions, systems and networks a plus.
• Experience in program outreach, marketing, or client engagement
• Strong project management skills, with a track record of successfully leading initiatives from concept to completion.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences.
• A self-starter with an entrepreneurial spirit who embraces the creation of new initiatives
• Experience in fundraising and resource development is highly desirable.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Willingness to travel as needed.
• Hebrew or Arabic language skills a plus.