The Secretary General Search Committee for the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) invites nominations and applications for the position of ISNA Secretary General. The Secretariat of ISNA, known as the Society’s headquarters, is located in Plainfield, Indiana, just minutes from Indianapolis international airport. The headquarters building sits on 124 acres of rolling landscape. ISNA Secretariat is composed of Office of the Secretary General with supporting departments such as the ISNA Development Foundation, Communications and Community Outreach, Publications, Youth, Conventions, Conferences and Special Projects, Programs, Membership and Management Information Systems, Marketing, and Accounting departments. Located within the headquarters building are the offices of the ISNA Leadership Development Centre (ILDC) and rooms for workshops, training programs and conferences.

The Position:

The Secretary General provides leadership and supervises all programs and activities of the Islamic Society of North America. The Secretary General is responsible to the ISNA President and the Executive Council for management of secretariat operations and to the ISNA Majlis ashShura for policies, plans and procedures generally, and specifically through the Personnel Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee. The Secretary General should have leadership skills and drive to guide ISNA’s mission as a premier national religious and community organization, and should possess a demonstrated ability to articulate and advance the national and international reputation and goals established by ISNA, to generate external support, and to manage a complex organization. The applicant or nominee for this position should be a practicing Muslim commanding a high level of integrity and credibility with the American Muslim community. The successful candidate will be comfortable in working with the diversity of the American Muslim community on the local and national level. Salary for the Secretary General position will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, and with benefits.

General Responsibilities:

Managing all administrative, operational and financial functions, with a view of deliberations and decisions of ISNA Majlis ashShura and the Executive Council
Responsible for advancing the vision and objectives of ISNA as expressed in the Mission Statement

Administrative Responsibilities:

Responsible for administrative operations of the ISNA headquarters, the delegation of responsibility within the organization and the establishment of formal means of accountability.
Ultimately responsible for the effective delivery of high quality programs and activities.
Takes responsibility for the operation of appropriate project and development activities
Responsible for the financial integrity of the institution.
Takes responsibility that all contract issues are managed efficiently and effectively in accordance with policies of ISNA Majlis and Executive.
Establishes and maintains a quality improvement process for headquarters staff, including the periodic assessment of programs and activities in their domain.
Ensures that all financial transactions are conducted in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards, prudent judgment and within the framework of the requirements of local, state and federal laws.
Exercises prudent judgment in expenditures of the annual budget approved by the Majlis.
Requires accurate and timely reporting on all matters in order to fulfill internal and external requirements.
Requires an annual audit, with appropriate actions taken that are consistent with the findings.
Requires the development, maintenance and timely updating of operational procedures manuals as appropriate.
Manages to ensure that effective communication is maintained with all appropriate constituencies.
Recommends a member of the staff for Acting Secretary General during significant periods of absences.
Responsible for keeping the Executive Council and Majlis abreast of regulations or other actions that might have an important effect of the Secretariat Operations.
Ensures that safety of all employees, guests, visitors and others is adequately addressed and protected.

Personnel Management:

Mandates an effective personnel system to support hiring, promoting, rewarding, disciplining and terminating employees in accordance with established policies and consistent procedures.
Ensures that all policies and procedures are in accord with pertinent federal, state, and local government requirements.
Promotes the philosophy and values of the mission of the Secretariat, among all employees.
Requires a system for the productive performance of all personnel through appropriate forms of employee professional development, the maintenance of written descriptions of all positions and the effective application of an employee appraisal system be in service at all times.
Takes responsibility for the equitable application of personnel policies and procedures.
Demonstrates the importance of continuing professional development by engaging in formal and informal means of continuing professional education.
Maintains and periodically updates a systematic wage and salary plan.

Organizational Responsibilities:

Periodically assesses Secretariat activities, organizational structure and staffing.
Implements change as appropriate, or depending on the designation of authority from the Executive Council and Majlis, recommends such change for the Executive or Majlis, as appropriate.
Responsible for developing and maintaining effective local, regional and national networks, and other affiliations as appropriate, in accordance with the policies of the Executive Council and Majlis.

Planning Responsibilities:

Responsible for formulating and presenting work plans and budget recommendations, for annual board approval by the Executive Council and Majlis, through the Budget and Finance Committee.  Remains an active participant in the annual review of the budget and expenditures.
Responsible for the periodic review and updating of short and long term strategic plans aimed at achieving the mission and goals of ISNA.
Oversees fundraising planning and implementation, including identifying resource requirements, researching funding sources, establishing strategies to approach donors, submitting proposals and administrating fundraising records and documentation.
Facilitates the periodic review of the Bylaws and makes recommendations for change, as appropriate, to the board of directors.

Public Relations: 
Ensures that public relations are well organized, and conducted in a cost effective manner.
Responsible for the effective representation of ISNA at public, civic and other organizational activities and meetings, as appropriate.
Serves as the representative of the Executive Council and Majlis in all matters, except in cases where the Executive Council or Majlis has specifically authorized another individual to a specific area of their focus or concern.

Typical Education and Experience Requirements

Masters degree, doctorate preferable, in a discipline relevant to carrying out the mission of ISNA.
Six to eight years of experience in progressively responsible management positions. The Search Committee will begin reviewing materials immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, please forward materials not later than June 2006. Nominations and applications should be sent, in confidence and preferably in electronic form to the following:

Chair
ISNA Secretary General Search Committee
c/o Sr. Habibe Ali, ISNA HQ Operations Manager
PO Box 38, Plainfield, IN 46168
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

ISNA is a duly registered nonprofit religious organization centered on promoting the interests of Muslim Americans. ISNA serves to educate, empower, and involve Muslim Americans in shaping their lives and future in keeping within Islamic teachings, while respecting the national laws.

ISNA is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer.