MCC Representative for Palestine

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active membership or participation in a Christian church; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

Required for all MCC Representative Positions:

Minimum Education Level: BA/BSc or equivalent

Minimum Experience: International experience and MCC experience preferred

​Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).

1. Relational Skills: Ability to form, foster and maintain positive, working relationships with MCC service workers, MCC staff, local churches and MCC partners, building trust by demonstrating integrity in actions and communications and modeling the values of the organization.

2. Supervisory Skills: Ability to manage/supervise personnel, which includes staff appointments and terminations, performance appraisals, interpreting and enforcing policies, conflict resolutions/problem solving and development of staff (in cooperation with the Human Resources Department).

3. Computer Literacy: Ability to use email programs, navigate the internet, locate resources, use Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to navigate and use MCC specific databases for the purpose of planning, monitoring, evaluation, and recording.

4. Adaptability: Ability to adapt as needed to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations and with diverse individuals and groups.

5. Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze and synthesize information to understand issues, identify options and support sound decision making.

6. Planning and Organizing: Ability to develop, implement, evaluate and adjust plans to reach goals, ensuring the optimal use of resources.

7. Initiative: Ability to be proactive and persistent in efforts, identifying opportunities and needs then taking action for resolution.

8. Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals, taking actions that respect the needs and contributions of others.

9. Communication: Ability to listen, to model open communication and foster good will among others.

10. Self-awareness: Ability to understand one’s own emotional framework, maintain a non-defensive posture and manage personal reactivity when leadership is challenged.

11. Cross cultural/multi-cultural awareness: Ability to work with issues of equity in a cross-cultural setting.

12. Financial Management: Ability to successfully manage MCC resources within a country program.

13. Program, Monitoring and Evaluation: Ability to understand and implement Program, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Results based management.

14. Previous experience in making well-informed, effective and timely decisions, taking into consideration impact and implications within local and regional context.

15. Demonstrated ability to serve as MCC Representative without bias or conflict of interest, with ability to withstand intense pressure from local constituents.

For this specific assignment:

Minimum Education Level: B.A. degree is required; graduate work in theology, ethics, conflict resolution, development, administration or related fields preferred

Minimum Experience: Overseas MCC experience in the Middle East preferred Due to the challenges of placing families in this location, single persons or couples without dependent children preferred.

Skills:

1. Creativity and Innovation: Ability to generate new approaches and viable solutions.

2. Organizational Awareness: An understanding of the structure and organizational culture of large non-profit organizations, such as MCC, and ability to work successfully within the structure to achieve results.

3. Development of Others: Ability to foster worker development by providing a supportive learning environment.

4. Partnering: Ability to seek and build alliances that further MCC objectives and benefit all people.

5. Conflict Resolution: Ability to bring conflict and dissent between others into the open to arrive at constructive solution while maintaining positive relationships with all parties.

6. Risk Taking: Ability to identify, assess and manage risk while striving to attain objectives.

7. Strategic Thinking: Ability to understand and process complex information and exercise sound judgment, considering the situation, the issues and the key players. Is able to propose course(s) of action that further the objectives, priorities and vision of the program and/or MCC.

8. Team Leadership: Assumes a leadership role in helping others achieve excellent results.

9. Writing Skills: Can communicate ideas and information in writing to ensure that information and messages are understood and have the desired impact.

10. Listening: Strong listening and facilitation skills

11. Understanding of Context: Familiarity with issues of oppression, occupation and war torn environments.

12. Language: Foundational Arabic ability beneficial but not required.

Assignment Narrative:

MCC has worked in the West Bank since 1949, providing relief and development assistance. In the late 1980s, MCC expanded its development work to include Gaza. Since the Israeli occupation began in 1967, MCC has also focused on how to promote reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis on the solid foundation of justice. The Rep provides leadership and management oversight for the MCC Palestine team and program. Currently the team consists of a Connecting Peoples Coordinator Worker located in Bethlehem, Program Administrators (a couple) located in Jerusalem, and a Palestinian National Staff persons in the role of Associate Director of Administration and Program Management, also located in Jerusalem. The Palestine Rep reports to the Europe and Middle East Area Director.

Job SynopsisThe MCC Rep will provide leadership to MCC's work and witness in the Palestine program. 

An MCC Rep role may be filled with a married couple sharing the role, with a single person, or with a married candidate who’s spouse is not interested in a Rep role, in which case MCC would discuss possible roles for the spouse. MCC will consider a variety of options to support the Rep in their roles and responsibilities, based on the qualified candidates who apply.ChallengesExtreme Heat; Fish and seafood local diet; High levels of pollution; Political instability; Security issues; Occasional overnights; Occasional evening and weekend work; Occasional long days; Work requires healthy boundaries; Complex-needs population; Diverse group of stakeholders; Local church not supportive to LGTBQ+ persons; Local area not supportive to LGTBQ+ persons

Key Responsibilities1. MCC Vision and Mission - Be the carrier/communicator of institutional identity in relationship to: 

i. Local partners, church, government, other international NGOs 

ii. MCC workers: Nurture understanding of and respect for MCC values and witness; reflect upon and communicate the spirituality of the team 

2. Oversight of Country Program - Direct and oversee implementation of regional priorities and country-specific strategies 

i. Select, build, maintain and strengthen relationships with partners 

ii. Prepare and administer long-term country strategies 

iii. Plan, monitor, report and evaluate projects 

iv. Facilitate, coordinate and respond to disasters, including those that generate unexpected additional resources and require shifts in focus of time/energy and requiring development of immediate and/or short term plans 

v. Understand and ensure compliance with local laws 

vi. Coordinate and strengthen local advisory committees 

3. Management of MCC Resources 

a. Prepare, monitor and evaluate annual goals and objectives in the context of a multi-year strategic plan 

b. Prepare and monitor budgets in accordance with strategic and annual plans and in alignment with Financial Management Policies 

c. Develop and monitor financial record-keeping and reporting, taking corrective action where needed 

d. Develop and maintain lists of inventories of equipment, including computers, vehicles, etc. along with replacement plans 

e. Maintain and update registration documents in respective countries 

f. Ensure resource stewardship across the country 

g. Prepare and monitor project reporting 

h. Receive and respond to worker reports 

i. Ensure maintenance of personnel records and other documents for MCC Records and Archives 

j. Manage Material Resources distribution as needed 

k. Provide information about the country situation.... through PlanWin, Annual Plans and Reports, Learning Tours, and written communication. 

4. Select, supervise, and motivate MCC workers: International Service Workers and National staff 

a. Negotiate suitable service assignments and write assignment descriptions 

b. Select highly qualified service workers and national staff using predetermined criteria based on job content and organizational values 

c. Provide orientation for new workers, including language study 

d. Create an environment where all individuals are comfortable openly addressing concerns/opinions 

e. Ensure spiritual, emotional and professional support for workers 

f. Monitor relationships between workers and partners with whom they work 

g. Implement MCC Human Resource policies and assist in policy interpretation for workers 

h. Conduct timely performance appraisals and End-of-Term reports for service workers 

i. Ensure workers’ compliance with MCC values and witness 

j. Develop and/or monitor compensation, benefits and policies for national staff

5. Teambuilding: build and maintain MCC personnel team 

a. Clarify team expectations regularly 

b. Monitor team relationships 

c. Lead team in decision making 

d. Demonstrates skill in resolving difficult situations, drawing on a variety of resources 

6. Hospitality: arrange for hospitality as needed 

a. MCC program and support staff, as well as MCC constituents from North America 

b. Others who are travelling in the country and who are interested in the work of MCC 

7. Represent the Country to MCC and Constituents 

a. Cultivate and maintain awareness of the political, economic, social, cultural, and historical contexts of the country/region 

b. Provide information about the situation, needs and resources of the country/region to the Area Directors and others within MCC and to MCC constituency 

c) Travel annually to Canada and/or the USA for speaking and advocacy opportunities

d) Work with Connecting Peoples person to ensure four strong and effective advocacy Learning Tours happen throughout the year – two Mennonite Church Learning Tours scheduled per year through 2018, one provincial and one regional learning tour scheduled per year. 

e) Ensure MCC connects and introduces MCC Palestine program to interested tours outside the four MCC Learning Tours facilitated every year – this could be university groups, Holy Land tour groups, Mennonite travel groups and individuals who come to Palestine and have a particular interest in the work of MCC, 

f) Maintain strong links to MCC Advocacy offices in Washington, New York and Ottawa. 

g) Attend and participate in monthly AIDA meetings (Association of International Development Agencies) and attend as observer at ACT Palestine meetings, 

h) Cultivate a strong advocacy focus as part of the MCC Palestine program strategic plan 

8. Relate to the local church 

a. Maintain good relationships with local Anabaptist churches by: minimally visiting churches and church leaders, attending their annual meetings, and including their representatives on advisory committees 

b. Regular attendance at a local congregation

While you’re serving with MCC we cover your expenses, including: