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 Senior Program Specialist will support USIP’s work in South Asia. The SPS will help USIP design and implement its research and programming work in country, g, provide daily programmatic, administrative and logistical support, including assistance in managing program activities, liaise with program partners, develop and update informational materials, maintain program databases, support budget and contract management activities, plan meetings and events, and undertake other tasks as assigned. The Senior Program Specialist position is full-time, based in Washington, DC, will report to the Director for South Asia Programs (Director) and is a member of the Asia Center.

CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS 8/16/2024

TARGET SALARY

Grade 11 – $82,000- $85,000

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.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Program Planning Support:
* Assist the South Asia Team in identifying new programming (e.g., plans, develops, coordinates, research, and implements the program’s support services).
* Develop, edit, and update program informational items for internal USIP staff members and external audiences (e.g., web content, project pages, event pages, etc.).
* Support program strategy development.
* Complete special assignments as needed, including internal research assignments on potential new programming areas as needed.
* Assist in the development of concept notes and proposals for new areas of research and programming as needed.
* Coordinate the implementation of the day-to-day operations of the program.
* Coordinate with key external stakeholders regarding the day-to-day planning and coordination of the program to support program goals and objectives.
* Assist in the reviewing and evaluation of program goals and objectives.

* Establish relationships with external partners, including government officials, academics, and other experts, both in the United States and around the world, to gather new insights that inform the work of the South Asia Program.

Budget and Contract Management:
* Support the South Asia Team in developing funding concept notes and proposals as requested.
* Manage the financial data from USIP’s financial system providing program leadership with the status of program financials or other items. Develop recommendations on any actions that may be required to ensure the program has the resources necessary to meet its goals and objectives.

* Prepare requisitions, invoice and expense processing, cash requests, payment monitoring of contract services, and generating budget reports.
* Maintain contract tracking system. Equipped to answer basic questions about any contract under the South Asia team’s management (e.g., contract expiration date, amount of funds remaining, latest payment, etc.).
* Assist in the preparation of the initial program budget to be reviewed and approved by the Director.
* Serve as Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative as needed and appropriate.
* Interact with senior external personnel on significant matters requiring coordination between organizations.
* Alongside the Director, analyze the program budget (e.g., monitor expenditures, schedule payments, and generate/review budget reports) to develop recommendations on budget-related matters.

Event Planning:
* Coordinate all aspects of event management, including generating new ideas for events, contacting speakers, and helping to shape the content of the event.

* Assist in the planning and organizing of workshops and other meetings in Washington, DC and in the South Asia Region.
* Coordinate all logistical arrangements for program events, ensuring the reserving of rooms, drafting and formatting event text, sending out of invitations and monitoring RSVPs, ordering of food and supplies, arranging of room set-up, and serving as the main point-of-contact for attendees as needed.
* Draft event text, agendas, panelist bios, etc. and develops promotional and informative descriptions of events for internal USIP staff members and external audiences.
* Liaise with panelists and/or co-sponsoring organizations.
* Create web content for events on USIP website and Exact Target.
* Serve on USIP-wide events assistance roster.

Perform Other Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in international relations or a related field is required, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A major or concentration in religion studies preferred.
* Five (5) or more years of relevant work experience, preferably related to the South Asia Region required.
* Excellent communication (written and spoken), 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.

* Ability to adapt communication approaches that are effective in-person and electronically.

* Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams) are required. Previous experience with databases and/or data management tools, including financial management software, is preferred and QuickBase/Salesforce is strongly desired.
* Experience with Momentum/Pegasys financial management system strongly desired.

* Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
* Project and task management – capacity to work on multiple, diverse and complex assignments, creatively problem-solve, and prioritize effectively with minimal supervision or collaboratively.
* Highly motivated individual who is a self-starter with great attention to detail.
* Experience in the organization of conferences, meetings, and events required, including with partner organizations in the South Asia region, preferred.

* Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and develop effective working relationships and strong interpersonal skills, including cross-cultural communication.

* Ability to travel internationally.
* Fluency in English language required, fluency in one of the South Asian languages strongly desired.

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.