The Middle East Forum (MEF), a Philadelphia-based research and activist organization, announces the position of full-time Coordinator for the newly-established Counter-Islamism Grid (CIG).
MEF is founding the Counter-Islamism Grid to coordinate research, writing, and activism by a network of researcher-activist associates across North America to oppose Islamist ideas, individuals, and organizations.
Currently, counter-extremism organizations that study non-violent, or lawful, Islamism do so by focusing on national and international networks. CIG focuses on local contexts, where Islamists prosper in obscurity. To meet this challenge, MEF is founding the Counter-Islamism Grid to coordinate research, writing, and activism by a network of researcher-activist associates across North America to oppose Islamist ideas, individuals, and organizations.
Associates will be tasked with monitoring Islamist activity in their localities, where they carry out in-depth investigations into Islamist financing, activities and influence. From this, they will produce articles, map Islamist organizations, and help build a centralized database.
CIG's expenses will be fully funded by MEF in its first year, with lesser funds in subsequent years. CIG's Coordinator will be expected to find other funding and eventually become self-supporting.
Job Description
The coordinator is tasked with designing and managing CIG activities; and turning this into an independent organization.
Before CIG becomes an independent 501(c)3, the Coordinator will report to the Director of the Middle East Forum. After becoming an independent organization, the coordinator will develop, implement and manage all aspects of CIG activities with the guidance and help of an Executive Board.
Specifics:
· Recruit and manage CIG approximately 12 local associates.
· Develop a database of information about Islamist organizations and networks.
· Map Islamist groups and institutions.
· Build a coalition of counter-Islamist partners, including reformist Muslims, to share methods and information.
· Manage anti-Islamist campaigns.
· Publish dossiers about Islamist organizations and networks.
· Provide regular, written updates on activities.
· Fundraise with the goal of becoming an independent organization.
Ideal candidate qualifications
· General agreement with the Middle East Forum's outlook that radical Islam is the problem and moderate Islam is the solution.
· Extensive knowledge about Islamism in the West.
· A record of successful public writing and speaking.
· Experience with fundraising.
· Willingness to take initiatives, meet deadlines, show attention to detail, and multitask.
Location
Anywhere in North America.
Employment status
Full time.
Compensation
Non-profit competitive, including a travel allowance for project-related expenses.
To apply
Prepare an application that includes:
A cover letter explaining your interests, qualifications, experience, and goals.
A résumé or curriculum vitae.
When the application is completed:
Bundle the entire application as a single document, preferably in Adobe Acrobat (Word is also acceptable).
Title it with your name in reverse order, without spacing, as in "ChurchillWinston."
Subject line should be "ChurchillWinston application for CIG Coordinator"
The Middle East Forum, founded in 1994 and headed by Daniel Pipes, is a research institute based in Philadelphia with an annual budget of $5.5 million. It promotes American interests in the Middle East and protects Western values from Middle Eastern threats. It accomplishes its mission in three ways:
· Intellectually, by providing information, context, and policy advice through its publications, websites, and lectures;
· Operationally, by exerting direct influence through its projects (such as Islamist Watch), each addressing a specific problem; and
· Philanthropically, by annually distributing $2.5 million in dedicated Education Fund monies.
