Program Specialist – PROGR002111-00001

DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES:

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 Program Specialist will serve in Bogotá and provide programmatic input and administrative support for USIP’s Participatory Action Research (PAR) project in Colombia. In coordination with the Program Team at HQ, the Program Specialist will support the daily administrative, technical and operational implementation of the PAR project and will support communication between local and national partners, and support and carry out in-country and regional activities.

The Program Specialist will report to the GKGA Senior Program Officer.

This is a full-time, one-year term position through December 31, 2023, based in Bogotá, with some regional and international travel required as necessary. The contract can be renewed for a second year pending good performance, funding, and business needs.

This is a Personal Services Contractor position for a host-country (Colombia Foreign National) contractor.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Support:

* Contributes to ensuring project implementation follows USIP and PAR guidelines and principles;

* Applies theory, policy, and knowledge of Colombia and the peacebuilding field to co-develop and implement activities;

* Coordinates with USIP’s Youth Team and provides support for the PAR Participants in Colombia;

* Tracks security-related issues for travel and mobility to targeted municipalities; develops a security matrix and protocol for youth;

* Creates communication pieces and strategies for youth participating in PAR; maintains Whatsapp channels.

* Coordinates and liaises with the USIP Latin America Program to provide programmatic and strategic updates.

* Coordinates with local partners in Colombia and other key stakeholders working on youth capacity building, including the international community and GoC.

Procurement, Finance, Budget, and Travel Support:

* Oversees budget planning, tracking and invoices, and contract execution, including drafting and submitting contract language, completing contract requisitions, processing invoices, expenses, and receipts, and monitoring payment of contractors for services in coordination with the Administrative Assistant based in HQ;

* Generates quarterly budget and financial reports to help monitor the Inter-Agency Agreement budget;

* Tracks and reconciles program budgets by recording and tracking transactions, obligating funds, processing travel authorizations, vouchers, and expense reimbursements;

* Provides technical guidance on contract-related requirements in coordination with USIPs Procurement Office.

* Helps reconcile the budget of the program by inputting transactions correctly, obligating funds, processing travel vouchers and reimbursements, and tracking the budget using financial software.

Event Development and Planning:

* Drafts event text, agendas, and background information and develops informative descriptions of events for internal USIP staff members and external guests;

* In close collaboration with the local partner, coordinates all logistical arrangements for program events, including reserving rooms, developing invitations, and monitoring participation.

* Develops communication strategies for program dissemination, and maintains active communication channels with participants, partners, and stakeholders.

* Coordinates and facilitates meetings with national and local partners, as well as US partners and internal USIP meetings.

Reporting:

* Develops quarterly and final reporting, tracking of programmatic decision-making, and capturing institutional knowledge and lessons learned within USIP databases;

* Translates documents from Spanish to English as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

* BA in a relevant field (international relations, conflict resolution, human rights, or development)

* 4+ years’ professional experience in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, citizen security, youth engagement, and inclusion, or another related field in Colombia.

* Experience working closely with local communities and community-based organizations in Colombia.

* Demonstrated experience in project administration, event coordination, financial oversight, and reporting.

* Proficiency in English and Spanish is required.

* Proven ability to work independently and effectively, as well as work well as part of a team.

* Willingness to travel within Colombia.

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:

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

2. Cover letter

3. 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.