The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.
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POSITION DESCRIPTION
TITLE: UN Representative, Program and Outreach
JOB CATEGORY: Exempt (Salary)
STATUS: Full-Time
TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Regular
DIRECT SUPERVISOR: QUNO Director
REGION/UNIT: US/CENTRAL OFFICE
LOCATION: Quaker UN Office, New York, NY
APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 8, 2026
For consideration, applicants must submit both a cover letter and resume to the online application and complete all application questions.
SUMMARY OF ORGANIZATION
QUNO New York works in close partnership with UN diplomats and officials to increase the global commitment to the UN’s role in building lasting peace. We believe that the UN will only fulfill this aspect of its mandate when its peace initiatives truly respond to community needs, and we seek to build bridges between the UN in New York and voices from the ground.
QUNO staff members facilitate dialogue among UN stakeholders, help bring new ideas and perspectives from the ground to the international policy agenda, offer expert input into UN processes, and represent the insights and concerns of Quakers at the UN.
QUNO consists of two offices, one in New York and one in Geneva, providing a joint Quaker witness and Quaker presence at the United Nations. The QUNO New York office is set up as a partnership between the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), acting together as trustees of the Quaker witness and the Quaker presence at the United Nations in New York. The Quaker UN Committee (QUNC) for New York is responsible for approving a QUNO strategic plan; setting program priorities; carefully reviewing and assessing proposed program entry points to ensure efforts are focused in areas where QUNO can be most effective. The QUNO New York office is legally and administratively part of the AFSC, based in Philadelphia. At present, the QUNO New York office is using a hybrid model of work.
GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITIONThere are currently three Quaker UN Representatives at QUNO New York, including the Director. This Representative position functions as a senior member of the QUNO team, sharing program responsibilities while also taking particular care for QUNO outreach efforts, as well as the QUNO Program Assistant program. Their principal responsibilities include: taking a lead role in developing and implementing work on QUNO program plans and entry points in collaboration with QUNO program partners; leading QUNO outreach efforts with Quaker Meetings, gatherings, and schools, plus taking part in QUNO advancement efforts as needed; overseeing the QUNO Program Assistant program; and reporting to the QUNC on areas of program work and QUNO outreach efforts. In terms of supervision, the UN Representative, Program and Outreach supervises and mentors one of the QUNO Program Assistants.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES
Representation
- Act as part of the representative team of the Religious Society of Friends at the United Nations. Communicate the insights, perspectives and concerns of Quakers to the UN community as appropriate.
- Model inclusive, non-violent and collaborative approaches in interactions with the UN community, in accordance with Quaker testimonies and practices
- Establish and maintain relationships with key diplomats at UN missions, UN staff, and NGO representatives who work in areas relevant to QUNO program.
- Represent QUNO at relevant UN program-related meetings. Alert the QUNO Director to meetings requiring their presence.
- Represent QUNO at meeting of Friends, Quaker service agencies, and AFSC as required.
Program Development and Implementation
- Develop and implement work on QUNO program plans and entry points in collaboration with QUNO program partners. QUNO entry points will be carried out in accordance with the working methods and the overarching strategy set out in the current QUNO strategic plan, to expand the constituency of support for people-centered and sustainable peace among key UN stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with the QUNO Director and other QUNO staff to identify key program entry points, while also engaging in regular monitoring and evaluation against specific indicators and measures of progress. Be prepared to present discernment on entry points and monitoring and evaluation for review by the QUNC on a regular basis.
- Liaise with QUNO Geneva, AFSC, FWCC and other Quaker service agencies around QUNO program entry points. Accompany the appropriate participation of these organizations at the UN.
- As appropriate, and in consultation with the Director and in partnership with QUNO colleagues and AFSC Development staff, seek funding for their program wor
Administration and Operations
- Oversee the QUNO Program Assistant program, providing leadership for annual recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of QUNO Program Assistants.
Outreach and Broader Advancement Duties
- Lead QUNO outreach and engagement with Quaker Meetings, gatherings, schools, the QUNO alumni network, and other interested groups.
- Coordinate visits and supporting staff in their outreach efforts to inform stakeholders about QUNO program work at the UN.
- Serve as principal liaison between QUNO NY and other Quaker agencies to coordinate collaborative outreach activities.
- Support and take part in QUNO advancement efforts as needed. Responsibilities include drafting content for the QUNO website, social media, print materials, and participating in fundraising activities.
Staff Supervision, Development, and Support
- Supervise and mentor QUNO Program Assistants, Associates, or Fellows, as required.
- Participate in the recruitment, orientation, and training of new staff.
Other
- Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
- Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
- Other duties and projects as assigned.
SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTSDirectly or indirectly supervises employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include training and engaging employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in international affairs, public policy, international law, non-profit administration, or related field required.
- Minimum seven years experience in non profit administration and program implementation required. Additional experience in staff supervision required.
- Demonstrated program experience in a related field (e.g. international affairs, peacebuilding and conflict resolution, international humanitarian assistance and development, public policy and diplomacy).
- Knowledge of the UN system and international diplomacy.
- Prior experience with interactive and experiential learning approaches preferred.
- Experience working in an international conflict setting preferred.
- You demonstrate commitment to values-based policy or social change work.
- You possess strong interpersonal skills that enable you to work productively as a member of a team.
- You are familiar with consultative decision-making processes and are able to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
- Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required.
- Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
- Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
- Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
- Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
- Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
- Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
- Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated dedication to the principles of fairness, equity and inclusion in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
COMPENSATIONThe AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Salary Family: Program Job Code Unit Director 2 Salary Family Range $75,000 - $90,000. Starting salary will be determined based on relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and AFSC’s compensation guidelines. Candidates are encouraged to consider the full range when determining whether the position aligns with their compensation expectations. Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, STD & LTD, defined benefit pension plan, 403b match, plus other benefits including vacation, PTO, sabbaticals, extended leaves, holiday’s, participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.
The American Friends Service Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity within our organization. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity,sexual orientation or disability.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S.
AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.
AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThis position is an at-will employment, meaning that the employment relationship can be terminated by either the employer or the employee at any time, for any reason, with or without notice. In addition, position duties and expectations change over time. This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive, exclusive or exhaustive list of the job functions that an employee in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. The employee may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. If there is ever a time that you are unsure what is expected of you, you are expected to meet with your manager and ask questions. If you are unsure how to perform a certain task, ask your manager before performing.
