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American Jewish World Service

Part Time Consultant: Country Representative, India

American Jewish World Service (AJWS) is an international development organization motivated by Judaism's imperative to pursue justice. AJWS is dedicated to alleviating poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. Through grants to grassroots organizations, volunteer service, advocacy and education, AJWS fosters civil society, sustainable development and human rights for all people, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship within the Jewish community.

AJWS is seeking a consultant to serve as a Country Representative in India to work with our volunteer programs. The Country Representative will be knowledgeable about development issues internationally and specifically in India, will be devoted to community development from a human rights perspective, and will be committed to exposing foreigners to social justice issues in India. Primary responsibilities will be to work with the Volunteer Corps and the World Partners Fellowship, which send individual volunteers to provide technical assistance and general support to NGOs, and with AJWS' group volunteer programs as needed. The Country Representative for AJWS Volunteer Programs will work closely with the Country Representative for AJWS Grantmaking and with a World Partners Educator, both of whom will be based in India. Learn more about AJWS volunteer programs at: www.ajws.org/service.

The work of the Country Representative will be to:

• Assist AJWS in developing and implementing a strategic plan for its volunteer program in India that compliments the grantmaking program. This includes definition of thematic and geographic priorities and clarification of criteria for selecting partnering NGOs;
• Research and identify community-based organizations working on the thematic and geographic priorities as outlined in the strategic plan. Assess community-based organizations and make recommendations to AJWS volunteer programs as to appropriate NGOs for AJWS to work with. As requested, conduct site visits to screen and follow-up with specific organizations;
• Visit current partnering NGOs to conduct needs assessments and program evaluation;
• Assist AJWS and the partnering NGO with logistical arrangements for volunteers; conduct site visits to ensure that NGOs are prepared to receive volunteers, confirm work-plans, accommodations and arrange for ground transport (as needed);
• As requested, provide assistance to partnering NGOs in completing necessary applications, forms and contracts;
• Assist in developing educational materials and in-field programming for volunteers, specifically for the World Partners Fellows. Attend orientation and retreats for World Partners Fellows;
• Provide support and guidance to volunteers in order to ease their assimilation into their NGOs and their location of service;
• Recommend consultants, volunteer and NGO networks, conferences, and other opportunities for providing AJWS World Partners Fellows with training and exposure to development issues;
• Provide on-going and emergency support to individuals and groups in the field; assist with health emergencies, help to troubleshoot and respond to unforeseen needs as they arise;
• Keep NY staff apprised of political and economic trends in the region and any newsworthy items as they impact our project partners, volunteer placements, or program focus;
• Represent AJWS at select meetings and conferences;
• Provide logistical support to AJWS staff members visiting the region;
• Provide NY staff with expense reports and monthly progress reports.

Qualifications:

• prior work experience with non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
• ideally the applicant will be from India or have lived there for an extended period of time;
• strong personal knowledge of grassroots NGOs in India;
• experienced in dealing with foreign visitors;
• experienced in capacity building and needs assessments for NGOs;
• demonstrated leadership skills required; experience leading groups preferred;
• strong logistical and organizational skills;
• prior experience in volunteer management desired but not essential;
• prior experience in grant management and project evaluation desired but not essential;
• proficient with computers and consistent access to e-mail;
• Hindi language proficiency required, knowledge of South Indian language(s) preferred;
• ability to travel throughout India for extended periods of time (in two-four week blocks of time).

Required Qualities:

• strong social skills and a warm personality;
• team-player;
• capacity for creative problem solving;
• ability to handle stress and emergency situations well;
• leads by example and empowers others to lead;
• hard worker who takes initiative;
• good listener;
• able to command the attention of a group;
• flexible nature and sense of humor.

Hours and Salary:

The Country Representative will be employed by AJWS as a part-time independent contractor, approximately 20-30 hours per week, at a competitive salary. AJWS commits to reimburse the Country Representative for expenses incurred while fulfilling the responsibilities of this position, provided that AJWS has had prior opportunity to approve or disapprove of a particular expense.

How to Apply:

For immediate consideration, please forward your resume and cover letter to consultants@ajws.org and indicate your name and "Country Representative: India" in the subject line.