Senior Program Officer, Countering Violent Extremism – SENIO001955-00001

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 around the world. 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) works with the Interim Director and program staff of the program on Countering Violence and Extremism to provide overall leadership on multiple base and IAA-funded initiatives to advance USIP strategic goals related to violence and extremism. The SPO cultivates, maintains, and grows relationships across the U.S. Government (USG) and international NGOs and organizations to advance programming of strategic interest to the Institute and the Program. The SPO leads the planning, design, and build-out of the Program’s projects and initiatives. The SPO leads strategic and operational (annual) planning and complementary M&E processes for the portfolio in partnership with the Program’s Interim Director. The Senior Program Officer manages a team of staff and is responsible for reporting, budget management, and acquisition and financial processes. Familiarity with USG stakeholders, as well as international frameworks and organizations involved in supporting global responses to violent extremism, will be critical to success. This position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Interim Director for the Program on Violence and Extremism.

TARGET SALARY RANGE

Grade 14 – $126,000 – $130,000

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

RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Partnerships and Development:

• Builds strategic partnerships and cultivates relationships with USG stakeholders subject matter experts; and a wide variety of donor, policymaker, and practitioner organizations to leverage resources and combine efforts to promote Program initiatives and goals.

• Pursues external funding for projects and initiatives.

• Leads the development of programming to address violence and extremism. This includes drafting project concept notes and proposals; designing program activities; developing project goals, objectives, operational plans and monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans; shepherding project concepts and proposals through approval; and identifying and managing resources required to implement programming.

• Oversees strategy to link research and programmatic work to U.S. and global policy initiatives to advance USIP goals related to violence and extremism.

Planning and Program Management:

• Manages a portfolio of projects, activities, and initiatives relating to violence and extremism. Duties include leading a team of staff working on the implementation of programs, meeting project goals and objectives, developing and presenting on the status of the project goals and objectives.

• Conceptualizes, leads, and coordinates the development and planning for the Program’s portfolio in partnership with the Program Interim Director and RESOLVE Network Executive Director.

• Supervises HQ and/or regionally based staff and consultants.

• Manages the Program budget to ensure that the Program is operating within its budget limitations in order to meet its goals and objectives.

• Ensures all Program activities are implemented within project timelines and in a manner that meets Program standards and objectives.

• Provides overall strategic guidance for, leads, and manages the planning and development, recruitment, buildout, and operations of a bench of experts on violence and extremism.

• Aligns projects with broader Program, ACT, and USIP strategic plans and lines of impact.

• Supervises the regular reporting for both internal and external project stakeholders.

• Serves as the Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) on a complex set of project and contractor contracts.

Thematic Expertise and Public Outreach:

• Researches and writes both scholarly and policy-oriented reports and articles for USIP publication.

• Serves as an expert on violence and extremism (e.g., conducts research; presents at conferences and workshops; provides advice and counsel to other public and private organizations; develops publications, training courses, workshops, training and educational programs and materials; conducts training courses and lectures).

• Serves as the focal point for coordination with colleagues across USIP working on violence and extremism.

• Working with the Interim Director, Executive Office, and other Institute-wide stakeholders, supports the development and implementation of an Institute-wide approach and voice on violence and extremism.

• Supports Executive Office and leadership needs, and requests as needed; engages across USIP in an advisory capacity to support program design and other Institute-wide needs; and serves as a subject matter expert at public and closed-door events.

• Attends and participates in various conferences, events, and other programs to speak on behalf of USIP on violence and extremism.

• Takes a role in responding to the public or media regarding specific program area.

• Provides briefings to governmental or other organizations on violence, extremism, and related topics.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in peace and conflict, international relations, security studies, criminology, public health, or related social science field required.

• Eight (8) or more years of related experience required.

• Previous experience managing projects and budgets required.

• Previous USG experience on a related portfolio preferred.

• Knowledge of behavior change, and violence prevention frameworks and projects preferred.

• Must have strong project management skills and experience planning and managing complex projects.

• Must have strong collaboration skills; must have the ability to coordinate the input and priorities of multiple players.

• Must have the ability to design and manage budgets.

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to lead and motivate others and to work as a team player.

• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.

• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to write effectively in a variety of formats for a variety of audiences.

• Strong organizational style and ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Must be able to travel in the United States and abroad.

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:

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.