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 Officer (PO) for the Higher Education Engagement (HEE) will cultivate and maintain relationships with the higher education community of colleges, universities, and higher education associations to enhance awareness about the Institute’s resources for research, programming, and training, lead timeline and implementation for program activities, manage and synthesize programmatic data, and oversee/support administrative and operational processes for HEE programming. This is a full-time position based in Washington DC with a remote option and travel required, will report to the Director, Higher Education Engagement and is a member of the Civic Engagement and Scholarship Center.

CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS 9/9/2024

TARGET SALARY

Grade 12: $99,000 – $102,000

Responsibilities

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development & Management:
* Work with the Director, to support, identify, or lead the development and implementation of new programmatic opportunities/activities, including but not limited to:
+ New initiatives for student audiences, e.g. new summer institute for students.
+ New initiatives for professors and administrators, e.g. Peace Praxis and Peace Praxis – Outside the Beltway.
+ New initiatives to expand engagement with minority serving institutions including historically black colleges and universities (HCBUs), Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and Asian American and Pacific Islander serving institutions (AAPSISs) and their associations.
+ The Higher Education Peacebuilding Council.

* Manage the Peace Professors program, the development, implementation and evaluation of the Pastries with Peace Professors series, and the Peace Professors Periodical publication.
* Support efforts and/or assist the Director in transitioning the USIP mentoring program to a full-fledge visiting student scholars’ program.
* Support efforts and/or assist the Director in new funding opportunities, meeting with potential interagency partners, and drafting project concept notes and proposals.
* Ensure the highest level of communication and cooperation with relevant USIP departments/divisions/teams and external partners.
* Identify and maintain critical stakeholder relationships related to the program, including positive and productive internal relationships across USIP and ideas of cross-programmatic collaboration.
* Participate in annual and strategic planning sessions with regional and thematic teams.
* Serve as Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) for HEE contracts.
* Supervise junior staff as needed.

Communication & Representation:
* Collaborate in developing strategies and plans for communication with higher education stakeholders via email, social media, and other tools and platforms.
* Coordinate with Public Engagement’s team to expand outreach to higher education institutions across the country, including strategic and targeted outreach plans based on HEE and USIP’s priorities.
* Represent HEE and USIP at a range of important venues, including but not limited to higher education conferences, individual meetings with education leaders, campus visits and USIP programs.
* Respond to public queries and media requests.
* Help to oversee and manage events, convenings, program activities, and research outputs.
* Liaise closely with key stakeholders in the higher education community of colleges, universities, and higher education associations.

Financial Management:
* Manage the project/program funds, track budget to manage and monitor all contract activities, draft scopes of work and/or memoranda of understanding.
* Manage the lifecycle of contracts, including tracking deliverable due dates, payments and responding to routine partner inquiries to ensure optimal allocation of resources and compliance with USIP policies and procedures while meeting goals and objectives.
* Ensure all program activities are implemented within program timelines and in a manner that meets program standards and objectives.
* Support the Director in expanding the programming, outreach, convenings, and publications.
* Keeps up to date on new research and programs as they relate to USIP’s work.

Other:
* Travel in the United States or internationally as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree in education, international affairs, peace and security studies, or related field with six (6) years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
* Master’s degree in education, international affairs, peace and security studies with four (4) years of experience in a related field strongly preferred.
* Knowledge, understanding and ability to connect with U.S. higher education stakeholders.
* Strong interest and experience with innovative programming and problem-solving skills.
* Demonstrated project management experience, from inception and development through planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
* Demonstrated management, research, writing, and editing skills. Ability to effectively write in a variety of formats and for a variety of audiences.
* Experience with budgets and cost management is required.
* Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Sharepoint, Teams and Word) with previous experience with databases and/or data management tools including QuickBase/Salesforce or Quorum is required.

* Experience with Momentum/Pegasys financial management system strongly desired.

* Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously, creatively problem-solve, prioritize effectively, and produce results under conditions of uncertainty.
* Positive work attitude and teamwork, willing to help colleagues even outside of prescribed responsibilities.
* Excellent communication (oral and written), organizational, administrative, and time management skills, including cross-cultural, interpersonal skills; proven ability to engage effectively with partners at the lowest and highest political, social, cultural, and economic levels.

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:
1. Completed employment application
2. Cover letter
3. Resume

Note: Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted.

USIP is an equal opportunity employer. USIP does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.