Apply:

UNRWA USA Events Manager
Full-time position

Please follow detailed submission instructions at the bottom of this post. 

PLEASE NOTE: Applications must be submitted as a single PDF to talent@unrwausa.org using the following subject line: LastName_FirstName_EventsManager

Status: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Washington, DC–preferred; Remote considered with travel (30–40%)
Starting Salary Range: $72,000 - $85,000
Start Date: ASAP, not before December 1, 2025
Reports to: Senior Director of Philanthropy
Collaborates with: Fundraising team, Development Officer, Advocacy Manager, Operations Associate, and Strategic Communications team

Overview

UNRWA USA seeks a strategic, highly organized, and mission-aligned Events Manager to design and deliver a national events portfolio that raises funds, cultivates new and returning donors, builds community, and advances narrative change around Palestine refugee humanitarian needs and rights. This role leads both external events (fundraising tours, Gaza 5Ks, donor and cultivation events, narrative events) and serves as the key liaison for third-party and partner events. The Events Manager ensures events are thoughtfully executed from concept through post-event evaluation—maximizing revenue, participation, and mission impact—in collaboration with Fundraising and Strategic Communications teams.

Key Responsibilities

Events Strategy & Planning

  • Develop, plan, and implement a medium- and long-term national events strategy aligned with organizational goals.

  • Create and manage an annual events calendar, identifying opportunities for collaboration, amplification, and presence nationwide.

  • Work across teams (ED, Strategic Communications/Advocacy, Fundraising) to align events with campaign and narrative objectives.

Execution & Logistics

  • Schedule, execute, and manage logistics for all UNRWA USA events including travel, lodging, venues, permits, insurance, run-of-show, speakers, volunteers, and accessibility accommodations.

  • Serve as primary liaison for third-party events benefiting UNRWA USA.

  • Collaborate with Finance/Admin to forecast, monitor, and reconcile event budgets.

Partnerships, Sponsorships & Revenue

  • Cultivate and steward relationships with sponsors, vendors, partners, and host committees.

  • Draft compelling sponsorship/proposal language and negotiate contracts.

  • Identify and nurture relationships along with the Advocacy Manager with like-minded organizations for event collaboration.

Measurement & Reporting

  • Conduct post-event follow up and stewardship.

  • Evaluate performance and prepare clear ROI, financial, and impact reports for staff and board audiences.

Gaza 5K — Signature Events

  • Serve as Race Director for approximately four (4) Gaza 5K walk/runs annually across key US cities.

  • Prospect, secure, and service financial and in-kind sponsorships.

  • Secure permits and manage relationships with parks departments and municipal authorities.

  • Oversee vendor sourcing, SOWs, and contracts (timing firm, barricades, AV, EMS, rentals, etc.)

  • Coordinate promotions and storytelling with the communications team.

  • Arrange staff/guest travel logistics.

  • Recruit, train, and manage site-based staff day-of. Identify volunteer needs.

Community Engagement & Advocacy Integration

  • Coordinate with the Advocacy Manager to align events with community engagement strategy.

  • Identify and build relationships with aligned institutions, community partners, and movement allies for increased reach and impact.

  • Collaborate with Advocacy Manager to ensure volunteers are recruited, trained and managed.

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in nonprofit events, campaigns, or large-scale experiential activations.

  • Demonstrated success in managing complex, multi-city events and securing sponsorships.

  • Strong vendor, contract, and budget management experience.

  • Exceptional project management, attention to detail, and calm under pressure.

  • Culturally competent; experience in Palestine/Middle East/refugee advocacy or humanitarian work strongly preferred.

  • Willingness to travel 30–40% and work evenings/weekends for events as needed.

Who you are:

You are passionate about the UNRWA USA mission. You are a strategist and an operator in equal measure, someone who can see the arc of an event’s purpose and also deliver every on-the-ground detail with precision and care. You build trust quickly with partners, vendors, sponsors, and colleagues, and you understand that events are not just logistics — they are vehicles for fundraising, community-building, narrative change, and mission advancement.

You are energized by complexity, calm under pressure, and at your best when juggling multiple timelines, cities, and stakeholders. You bring a lens of dignity, equity, and cultural competence to your work, and you are motivated by the urgency of telling Palestinian stories with integrity and reach. You are the kind of person who closes loops, anticipates needs, and believes follow-up is a form of respect.

Submission Details

  • Deadline: December 1, 2025

  • Submit to: talent@unrwausa.org

  • Format: Single PDF, labeled LastName_FirstName_EventsManager, including a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 work related references.  We use software to transition your application to a folder for review. It is important to follow the subject line guidance exactly.

  • Please note that only complete proposals will be reviewed.

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT UNRWA USA STAFF DIRECTLY

To ensure a fair and efficient review process, applicants are asked to refrain from contacting UNRWA USA staff directly regarding this opportunity. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to individual outreach. All inquiries should be submitted through the designated application channel, and applicants are kindly asked to allow the process to run its course.

Applicants are welcome to follow UNRWA USA on LinkedIn for updates about our work and future opportunities.

About UNRWA USA: 

UNRWA USA is an American 501c3 nonprofit that lifts up the voices, experiences, and humanity of Palestine refugees to secure American support for resources essential to every human being, for the promise of a better life. UNRWA USA’s organizational culture is based on these four core values: shared purpose, integrity, growth mindset, and gratitude. UNRWA USA's core values inform everything we do, from our ongoing relationships with donors and partners to our daily interactions with colleagues across UNRWA USA and UNRWA. It’s what we look for in potential staff members, board members, and volunteers, and part of what staff is evaluated on in addition to their performance. 

UNRWA USA embraces diversity and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. The more inclusive we are, the better our work (and world) will be. UNRWA USA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height.