Program Officer, Governance, Justice and Security – PROGR001962-00001

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 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 a front-row seat on the world stage, USIP is the place for you.

JOB BRIEF

The Program Officer provides substantive, programmatic, communication and research support for the Justice and Security Dialogue (JSD) Program and Police Training Projects in Nigeria, the Sahel and other Governance, Justice, and Security Program locations. The position will require travel to project countries. This position is based in Washington, D.C. (HQ) and reports to the Senior Program Officer.

TARGET SALARY RANGE

Grade 13 – $106,000 – $110,000

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:

• Serve as project lead for the Northeast Nigeria Justice and Security Dialogue, community security and elections violence projects. Managing project staff, relationships with the State Department, implementing partners, overseeing implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and budget and operations.

• Ensure activities are implemented in line with USIP best practices, and with good practice in the relevant professional fields.

• Provide guidance to the West Africa- and DC-based staff on substantive questions related to rule of law, security sector reform, security sector assistance, security governance, hybrid security, police training and the JSD approach.

• Stay up to date on developments in research and practice in relevant fields and communicate developments to the project team.

• Supervise staff in Nigeria and HQ as needed.

• Oversee recruitment and hiring processes for contractors and staff. Support the project team in identifying the capacity needs of project staff and project participants. Work with GJS colleagues to identify and implement capacity building activities and bring in external training support or expertise where needed.

Thought Leadership:

• A subject matter expert, as project management load allows authors and supports other staff members in publishing special reports, commentary and analyses, and blogs.

• Contribute to Security Sector Reform, 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.

External Engagement:

• Represents GJS and 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 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.

Finance Management:

• Manages and overseas own project budgets.

• Serve as a COTR and oversee finance and procurement.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in relevant field (human security, law, security sector reform/governance, conflict resolution, peace studies, etc.) required; a J.D. is 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

• Experience working in program countries and in the Nigeria and/or the Sahel or littoral West African countries

• Record of successfully receiving funding and maintaining good donor relationships after drafting concept notes, budgets, and proposals

• 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 ability to work independently or within a team, to obtain results under pressure, and to simultaneously oversee many substantive and operational initiatives.

• 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.

All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.

As with many organizations, USIP follows specific guidelines related to COVID vaccinations. These guidelines align with the latest findings from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The overall intent is to ensure the safest possible workplace for USIP employees and contractors. In accordance with the guidelines, all USIP employees and contractors with building access are required to be fully vaccinated regardless of telework or remote status.

Upon acceptance of the position, you are required to submit proof of vaccination along with your signed offer letter to HR. If you require an exemption, either medical or religious, we will provide you with the exemption form for you to complete prior to your start date.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:

• Completed employment application including titles, dates of hire and salary requirements.

• Cover letter

• Resume

For questions about this position please email [email protected]. 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.