Application Guide

How to Apply for Assistant Director, Finance and Grants - JFNA

at Jewish Federations of North America

🏢 About Jewish Federations of North America

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is a unique philanthropic network that coordinates 141 local Federations to raise over $3 billion annually, supporting Jewish communities globally. The Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care is a mission-driven team focused on advancing person-centered, trauma-informed care for Holocaust survivors and older adults, making a tangible impact on vulnerable populations.

About This Role

This role is central to ensuring the financial integrity and success of the Center's grant-funded programs. You will provide strategic financial guidance, oversee subgrantee budgets, and deliver technical assistance, directly enabling the Center to serve Holocaust survivors and older adults effectively. Your work will support a network of subgrantees across the US, making you a key partner in mission delivery.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with reviewing subgrantee quarterly financial reports and following up on discrepancies. You might then join a call with program staff to discuss budget modifications for a new grant award, followed by drafting a budget narrative for a proposal. Afternoon could involve providing technical assistance to a subgrantee on allowable costs, and ending with updating your grant tracking spreadsheet for upcoming reporting deadlines.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Jewish Federations of North America Is Looking For

  • Experienced in nonprofit grant management, with at least 5 years of progressive responsibility in budgeting, financial reporting, and subgrantee oversight.
  • Highly detail-oriented and systematic, able to develop and maintain tracking systems for multiple grants and subgrantees.
  • Strong communicator and problem-solver, comfortable providing financial technical assistance to subgrantees and collaborating with program staff.
  • Proficient in Excel (pivot tables, vlookups) and MS Office; advanced degree in finance, accounting, or public administration preferred.

📝 Tips for Applying to Jewish Federations of North America

1

Highlight your experience with federal grants (e.g., ACL, SAMHSA) or similar government funding, as the Center likely receives such grants.

2

Quantify your impact: e.g., 'Managed $5M in grant budgets across 20 subgrantees, ensuring 100% compliance and zero audit findings.'

3

Mention any familiarity with trauma-informed care or aging services, even tangentially, to show alignment with the Center's mission.

4

In your resume, use a 'Grants Management' section to detail budget development, monitoring, and reporting for specific grants.

5

Address the remote nature: emphasize self-motivation, virtual collaboration tools (Teams, Zoom), and experience working across time zones.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for the mission: supporting Holocaust survivors and older adults through trauma-informed care.', 'Specific examples of managing complex grant budgets and providing financial TA to subgrantees.', 'Your ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on financial management (e.g., developing budget narratives).', 'Your comfort with remote work and cross-team collaboration.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review JFNA's most recent annual report and the Center on Aging's website to understand their programs and impact.
  • → Look up recent news about JFNA's response to the Holocaust survivor population decline and funding priorities.
  • → Familiarize yourself with person-centered, trauma-informed care principles, especially as applied to older adults.
  • → Identify the main federal grantors (e.g., ACL) and any recent RFPs related to aging or Holocaust survivors.
Visit Jewish Federations of North America's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience managing a multi-year federal grant, including budget modifications and reporting.
2 How would you handle a subgrantee that is consistently late with financial reports or over budget?
3 Describe a time you identified a financial risk in a grant and how you mitigated it.
4 What systems do you use to track subgrantee budgets and ensure compliance?
5 How do you prioritize competing deadlines from multiple grants and stakeholders?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter without mentioning JFNA or the Center's specific mission.
  • Overlooking the subgrantee oversight aspect; failing to demonstrate experience in training or supporting external partners.
  • Not tailoring your resume to highlight grant-related financial experience; instead listing generic accounting duties.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Jewish Federations of North America!

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