Washington, DC

Job Description

The Executive Director for Migration and Refugee Services is a practicing Catholic who serves the Bishops of the United States by providing leadership and direction to, and oversight of, MRS operations in support of the USCCB Committee on Migration mandate. The Executive Director represents the Committee in public forums, thereby bringing the bishops into dialogue with MRS stakeholders and communities of concern. These include populations served through MRS, government and international organizations, other Catholic agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The Executive Director promotes and implements the Bishops’ strategic plan and priorities for the Conference.

Requirements

Educational Level: Bachelor’s degree required with at least 10 years of related executive-level experience; graduate degree preferred.

Major Field/Specialty: Social work administration, business administration, public administration, public policy, and/or organizational management

Foreign Language Requirement: None required; Spanish preferred

Other Specialized Training

• In-depth knowledge and understanding of Catholic Church theology, structure and hierarchy, including Church teachings and bishops’ stated policies, particularly those related to migration and treatment of vulnerable groups.
• Working knowledge of compliance and oversight requirements related to government contracts, cooperative agreements and grants.
• Superior verbal and written communications skills, including ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
• Proficiency in relevant information technology applications (e.g. Microsoft Office, etc.)

Type and Nature of Professional Experience

• Experience that demonstrates a deep commitment to refugees and immigrants and the ability to serve these populations and exercise job duties in accordance with Catholic church teachings and the stated policies of the Catholic bishops of the United States.
• Public policy experience regarding migration, refugees, and trafficking of persons; and services to refugees, forced migrants and victims of trafficking.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and direct comprehensive programs particularly those that pertain to migration.
• Experience overseeing a comprehensive service delivery system.
• Ability to effectively forecast trends and develop plans to meet the challenges presented by the continuously changing populations served by MRS.
• Planning and budgeting expertise (preparation, implementation, and oversight) and resource development.
• Knowledge of effective resource development strategies, including but not limited to, individual and major donors, corporate and foundation funding, and fundraising events.
• Executive level management experience and demonstrated ability to think strategically, supervise, manage, motivate and direct a large staff.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills. Well-developed public speaking, advocacy, relationship building, collaboration, negotiation, and presentation skills. Ability to work and communicate effectively with coalitions, diverse groups, media, and others.
• Exceptional writing skills.

Number of Years Required: Minimum of 10 years related experience.

About United States Council of Catholic Bishops – Department of Migration and Refugee Services

Mission Statement

Grounded by our belief in Jesus Christ and Catholic teaching, Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) fulfills the commitment of the U.S. Catholic bishops to protect the life and dignity of the human person. We serve and advocate for refugees, asylees, migrants, unaccompanied children, and victims of human trafficking.

Who We Are

The Bishops’ Committee on Migration sets broad policies and direction for the Church’s work in the area of migration. The Committee oversees and provides guidance to Migration and Refugee Services, which is comprised of five offices, including the Office of the Executive Director, the Office of Management and Administration and several policy and program offices:

• Office of Migration Policy and Public Affairs
• Justice for Immigrants Campaign
• Office of Resettlement Services

Office of Special Programs

• Children’s Services 
• Anti-Trafficking Program

What We Do

The above MRS offices represent the bishops’ interests in policy formulation and communication, advocacy, education, refugee resettlement, and other specialized services to at risk and vulnerable populations, such as victims of trafficking and unaccompanied minors. The Committee actively promotes the U.S. bishops’ migration-related interests with public policy-makers at the national and international levels. Committee members and MRS staff periodically testify before Congress and meet with Administration officials to advocate the bishops’ positions. Among the high priority policy concerns of the Committee is refugee protection and finding durable solutions to their plight. In this context the Committee occasionally arranges site visits to refugee areas of the world to witness the conditions of the refugees and to call for adequate responses on the part of the international community.

Learn More: http://www.usccb.org/about/migration-and-refugee-services/

How to Apply

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