Application Guide

How to Apply for Executive Director

at Center on Conscience and War

🏢 About Center on Conscience and War

The Center on Conscience & War is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to defending and extending the rights of conscientious objectors to war, with an 85-year legacy of this specialized advocacy. Working here offers the unique opportunity to lead an organization that bridges faith communities, military personnel, and government systems while stewarding nearly a century of peace movement history.

About This Role

As Executive Director, you'll lead all aspects of this small nonprofit—from financial management and fundraising to direct CO counseling and public advocacy. This role uniquely combines operational leadership with frontline support for military personnel navigating conscience-based decisions, making you both administrator and advocate.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might begin reviewing grant applications and financial reports, then shift to counseling a service member exploring conscientious objection options. Afternoon could involve coordinating with Swarthmore College on historical archives, drafting social media content about CO rights, and preparing for a meeting with faith community leaders—all while managing the organization's compliance requirements remotely.

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🎯 Who Center on Conscience and War Is Looking For

  • Has direct experience with nonprofit financial management, grant writing, and regulatory compliance for small organizations
  • Demonstrates both deep commitment to conscientious objection principles and practical ability to counsel military personnel through sensitive personal journeys
  • Can authentically engage with diverse faith communities while effectively representing the organization to government agencies like the Selective Service System
  • Possesses strong writing skills for multiple audiences—from grant proposals to public education materials—and can manage digital outreach through social media and website

📝 Tips for Applying to Center on Conscience and War

1

Explicitly connect your experience to CCW's specific mission—don't just say you support peace causes; demonstrate understanding of conscientious objection's legal and ethical dimensions

2

Highlight any experience interfacing with government systems (Selective Service, Congressional offices, or regulatory agencies) relevant to CCW's advocacy work

3

Showcase both operational skills (budget management, compliance) and frontline service experience (counseling, public speaking) in your resume

4

Mention specific familiarity with faith community engagement, noting which traditions you've worked with previously

5

Include examples of historical stewardship or archival work, given CCW's partnership with Swarthmore College Peace Collection

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your personal alignment with CCW's 85-year mission and why defending conscientious objection rights matters specifically to you", 'Concrete examples of managing both nonprofit operations (budgets, compliance) and program delivery (counseling, outreach) simultaneously', 'Experience building relationships across diverse constituencies—faith groups, military personnel, government officials, and media', "How you would honor CCW's legacy while advancing its mission through modern fundraising and outreach strategies"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → CCW's specific cases and advocacy campaigns over its 85-year history (not just general conscientious objection information)
  • → Current Selective Service System policies and recent legislative developments affecting conscientious objector rights
  • → The Swarthmore College Peace Collection partnership and what historical stewardship entails
  • → CCW's current faith community partnerships and public education initiatives from their website and social media
Visit Center on Conscience and War's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you balance the dual responsibilities of daily operations management with direct CO counseling and advocacy?
2 Describe your approach to fundraising for a niche cause like conscientious objection, including specific grant sources you'd pursue
3 How would you handle a situation where a military member's conscience claim conflicts with current Selective Service policies?
4 What strategies would you use to maintain relationships with CCW's varied faith community constituents while expanding outreach?
5 How would you steward CCW's historical records while making the organization relevant to younger generations through digital outreach?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic peace advocacy language without demonstrating specific knowledge of conscientious objection's legal framework and CCW's unique role
  • Overemphasis on either operational management OR direct service without showing capacity to handle both simultaneously
  • Failure to acknowledge the remote nature of the role and how you'd maintain organizational presence and relationships virtually

📅 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 Center on Conscience and War!

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