Job Description
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
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 (PS) will support USIP's work on the Security Sector Governance and Reform's (SSG/R) through the Governance, Justice, and Security (GJS) Team. The PS will be engaged in project implementation, researching complex topics, conducting monitoring and evaluation activities, coordinating events, overseeing contracting processes, providing essential administrative and operational coordination of GJS's daily work to support the smooth execution of initiatives and effective collaboration between stakeholders at the Institute and external partners, and will work closely with the Director of Governance, Justice and Security. This position is full-time, based in Washington, DC, may require travel, will report to the Security Governance Advisor, and is a member of the Center for Thematic Excellence (CTE).
CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS 02/05/2025 TARGET SALARY Grade 10 - ($77,000 - $79,000) 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.
RESPONSIBILITIES Program Planning Support and Reporting:
- Develops, edits, and updates program informational items for internal USIP staff members and external audiences (e.g., web content, project pages, event pages, etc.).
- Supports program strategy development.
- Completes special assignments, including preparing draft narratives, conducting analysis, and internal research assignments on programming areas with GJS colleagues, as needed.
- Coordinate a platform to facilitate collaboration among various USIP units working on SSG/R, encompassing both thematic and geographic aspects.
- Assists the SSG/R Team in identifying new programming and supporting the management of existing program activities (e.g., plans, develops, coordinates, and implements the program's support services).
- Assists in the development of concept notes and proposals for areas of research and programming as needed.
- Coordinates with key internal/external stakeholders regarding the day-to-day planning and coordination of the program, supporting the program strategy, goals, and objectives.
- Coordinates the implementation of the day-to-day operations of the program.
- Assists in the review and evaluation of program goals and objectives
Budget and Contract Management•
- Prepares requisitions, invoice and expense processing, cash requests, payment monitoring of contract services, and generating routine budget and financial reports.
- Serve as or assists Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) as needed and appropriate.
- Work to ensure that implementing partners and in-country coordinators understand contract-related requirements and in coordination with USIPs Procurement Office and the GJS Program Management colleagues.
- Draft requests for proposal and/or scopes of work for COTR review and approval, including but not limited to providing administrative assistance for the competition and selection process of vendors, and/or with the principal investigator, graphic designer, external reviewers
Event Planning
Assists in the planning and organizing of public and/or private events, conferences and other meetings in Washington, D.C. These efforts also extend to USIP's preparations for participating in events organized by national and international platforms such as the Munich Security Conference, the United Nations, the World Bank, the EU, NATO, as well as relevant international security policy groups and think tanks like the Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance (DCAF).
- Coordinates logistical arrangements for program events, including reserving rooms, drafting, and formatting event text, sending out invitations and monitoring RSVPs, ordering food and supplies, arranging room set-up, and serving as the main point-of-contact for attendees as needed.
- Drafts event text, agendas, panelist bios, etc. and develops promotional and informative descriptions of events for internal USIP staff members and external audiences.
- Liaises with panelists and/or co-sponsoring organizations.
- Creates web content for events on USIP website and Exact Target.
- Serves on USIP Events Duty Roster.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications - Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in international security, international relations, or a related field is required.
- Four (4) or more years of relevant work experience required (2+ years with MA preferred).
- Substantial knowledge of key principles of human security, with an emphasis on security sector governance and reform.
- Competence in program administration and financial management.
- Demonstrated capacity to work on multiple, diverse and complex assignments/projects simultaneously, creatively problem-solve, prioritize effectively, with minimal supervision or collaboratively.
- Excellent communication (written and spoken), organizational, administrative, and time management skills, including cross-cultural, interpersonal skills; proven ability to engage effectively with colleagues/partners at the lowest and highest political, social, cultural, and economic levels.
- Relevant work/research experience on program design, presentation, monitoring, and evaluation.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams), and databases and/or data management tools, including financial management software, is preferred and QuickBase/Salesforce is strongly desired.
- Working proficiency in either French, Spanish, Russian, or Ukrainian is desirable.
- Ability to travel domestically and overseas preferred.
Performs other duties as assigned.
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." United States Institute of Peace
Job Tags
Full time, Contract work, Work experience placement, Worldwide, Overseas,