Who We Are
Peace is our commitment. The United States Institute of Peace represents the American people’s shared values and commitment to peace worldwide. We know that Peace is Security – it advances both U.S. and international security by preventing, managing, and mitigating violent conflict.
We are an independent, non-partisan institution and are actively engaged with peacebuilding efforts worldwide. Together we tackle the most challenging problems and hold fast to the possibility of a more peaceful world. To learn more about USIP programs and job openings, go to https://www.usip.org/about/careers.
If you have a passion for making the world a better place and want to have a front-row seat on the world stage, USIP is the place for you.
JOB BRIEF
The Senior Program Officer (SPO) leads the Conflict Mitigation and Community Policing and Justice and Security Dialogue (JSD) projects in Nigeria and acts as the DC-based liaison for the Justice and Security Dialogue projects in Niger and Senegal. This includes providing substantive, programmatic, communication and research support. The position will require travel to project countries. This position is based in Washington, DC, and reports to the Director for Governance, Justice and Security.
TARGET SALARY RANGE
Grade 14 - $132,000 - $136,000
The Institute uses the General Schedule salary tables for administering compensation. Offers are determined based upon candidate qualifications, related experience, internal equity, and the amount budgeted for the position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Management
Nigeria
* Lead the Northeast Nigeria Justice and Security Dialogue, community security and elections violence projects. This includes overseeing project strategy, design, and implementation, managing project staff and relationships with US Government partners.
* Oversee the Nigeria-based Country Officer to ensure activities are implemented in line with project plans, USIP best practices and good practice in the relevant professional fields.
* Lead project learning, evaluation, and research efforts in consultation with the Nigeria-based Country Officer.
* Supervise staff in Nigeria and DC. Oversee recruitment and hiring processes for contractors and staff.
* Support the project team in identifying capacity needs of project staff and participants. Implements relevant capacity building activities and with external support as needed.
Niger and Senegal
* In close coordination with the regionally based Senegal and Niger SPO act as liaison between the Senegal and Niger projects and USIP HQ staff and teams on technical questions related to the projects.
* Support the Senegal and Niger SPO in cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with State Department and other USG contacts.
* Represent the Senegal and Niger projects in external meetings, as needed.
* Work with the Senegal and Niger SPO to ensure close coordination with the Nigeria-based projects.
* At the Senegal and Niger SPO’s request participate in project and strategy development meetings, brainstorming sessions or problem-solving discussions.
Thematic Expertise and Public Outreach
* A subject matter expert, and as project management load allows authors and supports other staff members in publishing Special Reports, Commentary and Analyses, and blog posts.
* Contribute to SSR, governance, and justice and security programming research and design across the Institute.
* Share and apply extensive knowledge of country contexts and support in-country staff in developing and implementing strategies to promote collaborative approaches to security through disseminating research and learning.
* Represents the Institute at external events and USG briefings as an expert on governance, justice, security policy, rule of law, security governance, security sector reform.
* Represent the project and manage Nigeria project communications. Work with colleagues to develop and implement project internal and external communications strategy. Represent the project and the Center or Institute at internal and external meetings and events. Draft or supervise the drafting of project materials, communications, and other documents. Build relevant relationships with stakeholders in DC and the project countries.
* Strengthen and build new relationships and partnerships with USG partners.
Technical Support
* Leads the technical support and advice related to on substantive questions related to rule of law, security sector reform, security sector assistance, security governance, hybrid security, police training and the JSD approach.
* Knowledgeable on developments in research and practice in these fields and communicates relevant developments to the project team.
* Anticipate and address strategic, political, funding, and other challenges to projects’ success. Identify and pursue funding opportunities to continue current programming and/or begin new projects in line with GJS’s and USIP’s strategic objectives.
Financial Management
* Supervises the Project Manager in overseeing project budgets and payroll.
* Serves as Contracting Officer's Technical Representative for contracts related to the project.
Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
* Bachelor’s degree with ten (10) years of experience in relevant field (human security, law, security sector reform/governance, conflict resolution, peace studies, etc.) required; Master’s degree with eight (8) years is preferred; a J.D. is strong preferred.
* Five (5) or more years of experience in the field of Security Sector Reform, Rule of Law, Justice and Security, International Law, Policing, Access to Justice and/or Human Rights, Peacebuilding required, including some field experience
* Understanding of Nigeria, and its security and political context and experience in countries in the Sahel or littoral West African countries.
* Experience managing teams across multiple countries. Flexible collaborative and supportive leadership style.
* Excellent communication skills and a track record of building and/or maintaining high performing teams.
* Record of successfully receiving funding and maintaining good donor relationships
* Experience or familiarity with adaptive management of rule of law, security sector governance/reform or other projects required
* Fluency in English required. Fluency in French strongly preferred.
* Demonstrated research, analytic and writing skills. Able to write effectively in a variety of formats and for a variety of audiences.
* Demonstrated experience in project design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
* Must have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and motivate others and to work as a team player.
* Excellent writing skills, including the ability to write effectively in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences.
* Must be able to travel in the United States and abroad.
All applicants must be US citizens to be considered for positions with USIP.
All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:
For questions about this position, please email recruitment@usip.org. Do not send resumes or attachments to this email address.
Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted.
No Phone Calls. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment only.
USIP is an equal-opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of USIP to offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliations or belief, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This vacancy is archived.