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Note: This document is from the archive of the Africa Policy E-Journal, published
by the Africa Policy Information Center (APIC) from 1995 to 2001 and by Africa Action
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WOA/APIC: Executive Director Announcement
WOA/APIC: Executive Director Announcement
Date distributed (ymd): 970521
WOA Document/APIC Document
This posting contains:
(1) an announcement of the WOA/APIC Executive Director vacancy, and
(2) a letter sent last month to WOA and APIC members from outgoing Executive
Director Imani Countess.
WOA/APIC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANNOUNCEMENT
The Washington Office on Africa (WOA), an Africa advocacy organization,
and the Africa Policy Information Center (APIC), its educational affiliate,
are seeking an Executive Director.
WOA was founded in 1972 by a coalition of religious denominations and
trade unions. Our original mission was to support the movement for freedom
from white-minority rule in southern Africa. Today, WOA promotes public
policies in the United States that foster peace, justice, and economic
development throughout the continent of Africa.
APIC is a non-profit educational organization with the primary objectives
of widening policy debate in the United States around issues affecting
grassroots African interests throughout the continent. APIC facilitates
linkages between the Washington policy arena and the American public and
others concerned with U.S. policy towards Africa.
Accountability:
The Executive Director is accountable to the WOA and APIC Boards of
Directors and will provide strong overall leadership, coordination and
supervision for carrying out the work of WOA and APIC.
Major Responsibilities include:
Financial Management and Fundraising: Develop annual budget, oversee
revenues and expenses, and provide comprehensive fiscal oversight; ensure
that adequate funding is secured through diversified fundraising strategies;
ensure compliance with record keeping procedures for incorporation and
tax status, payroll, taxes and grants.
Building Relationships: Maintain close contact and build relationships
with WOA/APIC-related groups in the USA and with partner organizations
and groups in Africa; build relationships with a wide range of governmental
contacts, justice/peace and NGO organizations, including religious and
labor communities, to project and further the goals of WOA/APIC; represent
WOA/APIC in various fora and with the media.
Program Development and Implementation: Work collaboratively with board
and staff in developing WOA/APIC programs; oversee advocacy and legislative
work of WOA; oversee educational work of APIC; provide services for grassroots
networks in the USA and Africa; maintain ongoing communications with different
WOA/APIC constituencies; oversee media work.
Administrative Work: Strengthen the WOA and APIC boards and their working
committees; facilitate regular strategic planning processes for WOA and
APIC; conduct searches and appoint staff; supervise staff and exercise
leadership in a manner that encourages collaborative working style.
Qualifications:
Commitment to justice and peace in Africa and in U.S. relations with
Africa.
Familiarity with political, economic and social developments in Africa.
In-depth knowledge and support of African grassroots agendas and interests
with demonstrated experience in constituency mobilization.
Sensitivity to the concerns of different segments of the U.S. Africa
advocacy community including labor, diverse faith-based groups, academia,
the African American community, community organizations, etc.
Good interpersonal skills, personal maturity and high energy level.
Skills:
At least five years of experience in a non-profit organization in a
role involving staff supervision and relations with a board of directors.
Prior professional experience related to African peace and justice issues.
Ability to organize work and use time effectively; to work in a team
setting with division of labor; ability to analyze complex issues and to
express ideas clearly and concisely in speech and in writing.
Excellent administrative skills.
Financial management and fundraising abilities.
Program development and implementation abilities.
Academic Requirements:
An advanced academic degree is preferred.
Salary Range:
$42,000 - $50,000 depending on experience.
Benefits:
Full health and dental, simplified employee pension plan (includes a
403(b) pre-tax contribution plan and an employer sponsored IRA), paid vacations
and holidays.
Closing Date: June 18, 1997 (Interviews begin in July.)
Starting Date: August 1, 1997 (negotiable)
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter detailing interest
in the position, resume, and a sample of writing to:
Washington Office on Africa
Africa Policy Information Center
Search Committee
c/o Anna Rhee
Women's Division
United Methodist Church
100 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Box 56
Washington, D.C. 20002
No phone calls or fax messages, please.
WOA/APIC are affirmative action/equal opportunity employment employers
and do not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation.
Letter from outgoing WOA/APIC Executive Director Imani Countess
April 4, 1997
Dear WOA/APIC supporter:
This is a tough, tough letter to write. After seven years with the Washington
Office on Africa and the Africa Policy Information Center (WOA/APIC), with
five of those years as Executive Director, I am leaving. I have been offered
a position as Congressional Liaison Officer with the African Development
Foundation (ADF) and I have accepted. My new position allows me to continue
working for US policies that are aimed at supporting grassroots African
initiatives and enhancing African self-reliance, but does so without the
pressure, stress, and long hours that characterize the progressive, non-profit
environment. And with two children--ages 5 and 2--a more predictable work
setting has become extremely important to me.
I leave WOA/APIC satisfied with the level and quality of work we have
been able to produce during these seven challenging years, yet still humbled
by the privilege of being allowed to lead these two extremely important
organizations. A copy of the Washington Office on Africa 1996 Annual Report,
which provides a snapshot of our most recent activities, is available on
request. A 1996 APIC report will be available shortly.
I also leave, however, extremely excited by what the future holds for
both organizations. After the initial difficulty and disarray of the post-Cold-War/post-apartheid
era, a number of interesting possibilities are emerging. Anyone familiar
with the current state of the Africa advocacy community knows that it is
premature to claim clear directions or even the existence of fully developed
alternative political visions. There are, however, fresh voices from grassroots
communities in Africa and the US which are moving toward developing new
partnerships and information-sharing techniques.
For example, just a few days ago I received a fax from the Federation
of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, which historically has worked
to help African-American farmers in the South retain their land, but is
now also working in partnership with an agricultural cooperative in The
Gambia. From the Berkeley-based US/South Africa Sister Community Project
to the New York-based Religious Action Network of the American Committee
on Africa, creative linkages and substantive networks are developing.
On the political side here in Washington, we continue to face uphill
battles on many fronts. Budget-cutting, indifference and uncritical free-market
assumptions threaten new creative options that a post-Cold-War era should
promise for sustainable and equitable development and trade. Africa's pro-democracy
struggles often receive lip service in Washington, but rarely the substantive
support they need. Reaction to crisis is most often ad hoc, crippled by
US failure to participate responsibly in the UN and other multilateral
institutions, and insufficiently attentive to the range and diversity of
African opinion. These are not new battles, but the context is new. Many
aspects of the new political environment are hostile to the human values
for which we stand. But there are hopeful signs as well, in a growing number
of voices and arguments asserting that the US is required to develop human-centered
policies for an interdependent world. As WOA and APIC sort out their place
in this new terrain, I'm sure that both will continue to affect US policy
toward the African continent positively.
There are many other things that I'd like to say: Thank you for your
support to both organizations. Thank you for your patience when we have
been late in fulfilling our subscription requirements. Thank you for the
work that you have done to change US policy toward the African continent.
But I think the most important message I'd like to convey is that your
support for the Washington Office on Africa and the Africa Policy Information
Center remains critical. I'm leaving my salaried position here, but my
first act as outgoing director is to join both organizations. I have sent
in my membership check to each organization. I hope that you will also
renew or increase your support! Thank you again.
A luta continua,
Imani Countess
Executive Director
Note (May 21, 1997): Imani Countess can be reached at her personal e-mail
address (imani@igc.org) or at
the African Development Foundation (telephone: 202-673-3916; e-mail: icountess@adf.gov).
Washington Office on Africa / Africa Policy Information Center 110 Maryland
Ave. NE #509
Washington, DC 20002, USA
Tel: (202) 546-7961 Fax: (202) 546-1545
E-mail: woa@igc.org, apic@africapolicy.org
Web: http://www.africapolicy.org
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