Senior Expert, Negotiation & Ceasefires – SENIO001916-00001

US Institute of Peace

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 around the world. 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 around the world. Together we tackle the toughest 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 to the world stage, USIP is the place for you.

JOB BRIEF The Senior Expert will serve as program lead on strengthening strategic negotiation and ceasefire practices, particularly in peace processes around the world. This individual will join the Inclusive Peace Processes and Reconciliation Team, which is situated in USIP’s Center for Applied Conflict Transformation. The Senior Expert will oversee USIP’s thought leadership on peace process negotiation and ceasefires, provide strategic guidance and practice-oriented training, and will serve as a comparative analyst on technical issues including but not limited to ceasefire monitoring, and confidence-building measures, power-sharing, self-determination. This position is based in Washington, DC and will report to the Director of the Inclusive Peace Processes and Reconciliation Team.

The Inclusive Peace Processes and Reconciliation team provides support to a range of internal and external stakeholders working on various stages and components of peace processes by providing capacity-building support as well as technical expertise.

“We will begin reviewing applications on July 11, and will continue considering applications until the right candidate is selected.”

TARGET SALARY RANGE Grade 14 – $126,000 – $130,000

The Institute uses the General Schedule salary tables for administering compensation. Offers of employment are determined based upon candidate qualifications, related experience, internal equity and amount budgeted for the position.

RESPONSIBILITIES • Serves as a primary adviser for USIP efforts on negotiations and peace processes by enhancing USIP’s capacity to provide thematic expertise, knowledge management, and relevant country or thematic research. • Spearheads the creation of and improves existing innovative approaches and best practices related to ceasefire negotiations processes, such as effective practices on issues such as developing political will and leverage, trust and confidence-building measures, concessions, incentives, etc. • Advises on the design of peace processes by supporting conflict analysis, sequencing of actions, multitrack development and coordination, etc. by applying the latest academic, field, and evaluative research, as well as field-based experience. This includes developing options papers, providing comparative/case study analysis, and other means to provide support and learning to USIP country programs or external actor initiatives on negotiations and other peace processes. • Plays a lead role in strategy development on projects that include negotiation components (e.g., developing program strategic and operating plans, goals, objectives; designating appropriate resources required to support project goals and objectives, etc.). • Works closely with the senior experts on mediation and dialogue to develop clarity and coherence across USIP in effective use of these peacebuilding tools and develop means to incorporate continuous learning on these practices with USIP country teams. • Demonstrates USIP’s thought leadership on the latest trends in negotiation practice and peace process support by convening workshops, roundtable discussions, expert meetings as well as participating in various conferences, events, government briefings, and other programs to speak on behalf of USIP. • Builds strategic partnerships and cultivates contacts with subject matter experts in a wide variety of external organizations to leverage resources and combine efforts to promote USIP program initiatives and goals. • Strengthens training content, particularly for US government officials and officials in regional organizations and the United Nations, with a strong focus on negotiation support. • Works with the USIP Africa team on conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa, advising on ceasefire opportunities, initiatives, and related events • Travel overseas will be required.

QUALIFICATIONS • Master’s degree with (8)+ eight years of experience, • PhD or JD with (6)+ six of years of experience in international relations, conflict management or a related field is required. • A minimum of eight (8) years related work experience, including experience with U.S. government policymaking is preferred. • Extensive field experience is required, including negotiation experience in an international conflict-affected context. • Experience working in or closely with a government department or international non-governmental organization strongly preferred, including engaging practitioners, policymakers and civil society members on international and conflict-related issues. • Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa strongly preferred. • Education and training experience preferred, preferably education and training related to conflict management skills. • Research and scholarship related to negotiation (as well as mediation and dialogue) preferred. • Strong familiarity with current research on negotiation as part of inclusive peace processes preferred.

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

Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

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, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliations or belief, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please use the following URL: https://ars2.equest.com/?response_id=dd01b6d0059dae3c4083c8cf1d46b166


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