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 on the world stage, USIP is the place for you.
JOB BRIEF
Within the Center for Planning, Learning, and Strategy (PLS), the Program Officer shall work in the Learning, Evaluation, and Research (LER) program to strengthen USIP’s coordination of and support for research across the Institute to ensure continued adherence to the highest standards of quality and maximal impact. The Program Officer position is based in Washington, DC, and will report to the Director, Learning, Evaluation and Research.
TARGET SALARY RANGE
Grade 13 - $103,000 - $107,000
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 the amount budgeted for the position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Organize USIP’s research efforts:
• Manages and maintains a central authoritative inventory on all of USIP’s research efforts.
• Establishes and advances an institutional research agenda.
• Support the development of the research agenda for Grants and Fellows, and leads efforts to establish an institutional research agenda.
• Manage internal IRB determinations. This includes leading existing processes to make determinations about whether research projects require IRB approval from external providers, maintain a central authoritative inventory of all IRB decisions, and work with colleagues across the Institute to resolve any issues related to research ethics that arise within USIP's duty of care.
Strengthen USIP’s research products:
• Advises USIP staff on the methods and designs of research projects to improve quality and rigor.
• Leads in the upholding of standards on ethics and transparency for USIP research and empower USIP staff to ensure that those standards are met.
Integrate external peacebuilding research:
• Monitor academic research and think tank reports and disseminate important findings and developments to USIP staff through workshops, presentations, and documents.
• Leads the knowledge exchange between USIP staff and academic institutions and scholars focused on peace and conflict studies.
• Leads the monitoring and evaluation of USIP research efforts and compares them to trends in the broader peacebuilding field
Program Development:
• Develop and implement new advanced projects to further improve and increase the impact of USIP’s research activities.
• Undertake typically 1-2 short visits per year to USIP country offices.
• Act as a spokesperson for USIP research and build relationships with government, academic, and NGO/IGO stakeholders.
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
• A Master’s with five (5) years of experience in political science, conflict resolution, public policy, or a related field is required.
• A PhD with 3 years of experience in supporting policy-relevant research projects preferred.
• Ability to support or manage a complex policy-relevant research project.
• Ability to work independently and in teams and collaborate with others.
• Strong writing and presentational skills, including the ability to quickly assess and explain the quality of applied research products.
• Knowledge of best practices in research including ethics and the functions of the IRB.
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research standards and methodologies.
• Evidence of the ability to publish.
• Experience in the design or implementation of field programs in conflict zones desirable.
• Strong computer and data analysis skills, including quantitative data analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices.
All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.
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.
To apply for this position, please use the following URL:
https://ars2.equest.com/?response_id=db4a9ccd86b6500eb4595a9fa7686968
How to apply:
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 recruitment@usip.org. 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.