OUR MISSION
The Philos Project is a dynamic leadership community dedicated to promoting positive Christian engagement in the Near East. This community is centered on a growing network of city-based chapters located in North America and around the world.
Philos equips a new generation of Western Christians to support friends in the region who share our vision for pluralism. We offer educational resources, immersive travel programs, and networking and advocacy opportunities that help Christian leaders understand and engage with important Near East issues and support innovative projects that help advance liberty and justice on the ground.
THE STORY OF PHILOS
Philos Project founder and Executive Director Robert Nicholson recounts the journey that lead to the creation of the organization, why it exists today and how Philos plays an important part in the conversation about the Near East.
LEARN MORE
Check out our Youtube channel for more informative videos on our programs, trips, initiatives, fellows, events and more!
What is The Philos Project?
The Philos Project is a dynamic leadership community dedicated to promoting positive Christian engagement in the Near East. This community is centered on a growing network of city-based chapters located in North America and around the world.
What does Philos actually do?
Philos offers educational resources, immersive travel programs, and networking and advocacy opportunities that help Christian leaders understand and engage with important Near East issues. We also support innovative projects that help advance liberty and justice on the ground.
What is “positive Christian engagement”?
In a word, what is the Philos worldview?
Pluralism.
What is the Philos vision?
A Near East based on freedom and rule of law where nations, tribes, and religious communities live beside each other as neighbors.
What kind of Christianity does Philos espouse?
What is your position on the gospel?
What kind of political views does Philos hold?
What is your position on the State of Israel?
We believe that the Jewish nation is an indigenous nation of the Near East with a right to live in its ancient homeland. We believe that the State of Israel is a legitimate expression of Jewish nationhood. We also believe that Israel has the right to defend itself, as well as the obligation to protect its citizens regardless of race, creed, or color. Our support for Israel’s legitimacy does not imply support for any particular party, ministry, legislative or executive action, or public statement issued by any government official. Israel is a state and should be held to the same standards as any other state.
What are your theological views about the Jewish people and the State of Israel?
The Jewish people played a special role in the history of Christianity, and therefore deserve a special place in the Christian conversation about the Near East. With regard to precise theological views of the Jewish people and their relationship to the church, Philos takes no official position. Some of our members have deep theological views about the Jews; others have none at all. We seek only a more thoughtful and respectful conversation on the topic.
What is your position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
Our position begins from principles, not paradigms. We support Jewish security and self-determination in the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea; we also support Palestinian security and self- determination in the same area. Broadly, then, we support some variant of the two-state solution – ideally a Jewish state with a Palestinian minority and a Palestinian state with a Jewish minority – although we are open to new approaches that recognize both Jewish and Palestinian rights, including innovative ideas about confederation. We adamantly oppose those who deny the connection of Jews or Palestinians to the land, or who call for violence against the other. Both the Jewish state and the Palestinian state should be democratic and pluralistic.
What is your position on Christians of the Near East?
We affirm the right of all Christians to live and flourish as indigenous citizens of the Near East. Given the long history of discrimination and persecution, we believe that Near Eastern Christians deserve unique protections – even affirmative action – in order to preserve their language, culture, and religious practices. We call upon all Near Eastern states to embrace Christians as equal members of society, not second-class citizens. We also call upon Western states and non-state actors to steward their resources and influence in a way that advances the best interests of Near Eastern Christians in their ancient homelands.
What is your position on Muslims?
We make a distinction between Muslims and Islam. Muslims are human beings made in the image of God who merit the same dignity and respect accorded to all human beings. Islam is a world religion, even a world civilization, with views about faith and politics that diverge from Christian views at key points. As Christians we recognize commonalities between our two religions: a shared patriarch in Abraham, a commitment to monotheism, and a joint affirmation of traditional values. We also recognize a tremendous range of opinion within the Muslim world. As Christians, however, we reject the central truth claim of Islam – that God superseded prior revelations by giving one final revelation to Muhammad in the Qur’an – and disagree with those schools of Islamic interpretation that reject pluralism, denigrate non-Muslims, or seek to impose Islamic doctrine through violence. We respect and affirm the right of Muslims to practice their faith freely. But we respect a religion only until it forces itself on those who don't believe. We seek to build lasting friendships with those Muslims who share a commitment to pluralism and endorse the right of Jews and Christians to live as equals in the modern Near East.
WORK AT THE PHILOS PROJECT!
Office Administrator
We are looking for an Office Administrator to organize and oversee the daily operations of the Philos Project. This person will be the one to ensure that organizational activities are wellcoordinated and efficient by managing office logistics, clerical duties, and general administrative support to staff. As an office administrator, you will be an essential part of our team helping to ensure the smooth running of our NYC office, and providing day-to-day administrative support to both local and remote employees. This position will be based from our office in Midtown Manhattan with remote work flexibility depending on COVID restrictions. The goal is to augment the efficiency of the organization’s operations to facilitate a productive and well-structured work environment for our team's long-term success.
Requirements:
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Undergraduate degree required; graduate degree will be a plus
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Proven experience in a previous administrative role
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Excellent time management and organizational skills with a keen attention to detail
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Experience coordinating events, team meetings, and managing office supplies and equipment a plus
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Salesforce knowledge and experience is a plus
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General understanding of the Middle East and of Christian doctrine
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Outstanding written and oral communication skills
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Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
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Ability to manage multiple priorities and support both in-office and remote work culture
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Proficient in current and new office technology
Responsibilities:
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Answer office phone/email and responds to general inquiries in a professional and timely manner
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Work alongside our business consultant to manage Expensify, invoicing, and monthly expense reporting
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Purchasing and overseeing the maintenance of office supplies, equipment, facilities, and furniture
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Oversee internal programs for staff communication, like conference lines and video conferencing
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Maintaining general office files, mailing, printing, and merchandise
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Offer administrative support to staff and consultants as needed
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Prepare agendas, makes travel arrangements, and maintain org-wide calendar
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Assist in event and trip planning and logistics for staff as needed
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Assist staff and management in various projects as needed
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Help manage calendaring and scheduling for upper management
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Support the Deputy Director in various Human Resource duties
Required Materials:
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Resume, cover letter and writing sample.
Please send application to: [email protected]
Social Media/Marketing Associate
The Philos Communications Department is looking for a creative, driven individual who will enthusiastically tell and market the Philos story on social media and produce analytics to show proven results. The Social Media/Marketing Associate will be responsible for ensuring the cohesiveness and success of the Communications Department social media and marketing strategy while assisting the Communications Director with other assignments as needed.
Requirements:
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Must embrace the mission of promoting positive Christian engagement in the Near East
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General understanding of Near East history, politics, and culture
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General understanding of Christian doctrine and institutional landscape
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Strong writing skills
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Ability to execute sound editorial judgment regarding content that is often complex
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Understanding of current marketing strategy trends and possesses ability to develop those strategies
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Knowledge of marketing software such as ActiveCampaign
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Self-starter and team player
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Creative and inquisitive mind
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Proficiency in Adobe creative software, familiarity with WordPress, MailChimp and Sprout Social preferred
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Knowledge and experience in graphic design
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A bachelor’s degree in a Marketing or Communications-related field is preferred
Responsibilities:
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Create copy for promotional, PR-related, and educational materials
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Develop marketing campaigns for Philos initiatives
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Draft, edit, and schedule approved social media posts: An average of 5-8 daily posts for FB and Twitter is expected, as well as 1-2 for Instagram; frequency of FB and IG stories will vary
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Demonstrate increased traffic and interaction with network/followers on social media platforms
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Manage social media and marketing projects and collaborate with other Philos departments
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Assist the director with other marketing-related projects
Salary:
Competitive salary and benefits offered.
Required Materials:
Email a resume and cover letter to Josefa Gonzalez at [email protected]