Senior Expert, Personal Services Contractor at United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Washington DC

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 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.

The Peace Processes & Reconciliation team provides direct support to a range of stakeholders engaged in various stages of peace processes. The team leads USIP’s work on negotiation, mediation, dialogue, reconciliation and ceasefires.

The Senior Expert will be a core member of a dynamic team providing capacity-building support as well as technical expertise on issues including dialogue facilitation, mediation support, peace process design, multilateral diplomatic practice, and ceasefires. The Senior Expert will provide strategic guidance, support design and operationalization of dialogues, and serve as a comparative analyst on issues including national dialogues, political negotiation formats, stakeholder consultations, and Track I and Track II processes. 

This is a full-time Personal Services Contractor position. The Senior Expert will report to the Director, Peace Processes & Reconciliation, within USIP’s Gandhi-King Global Academy. 

Job Brief

• Designs and facilitates dialogue sessions among conflict or political actors as part of USIP’s peace process support activities.


• Serves as advisor on dialogue, mediation, and negotiation processes, working with USIP country programs as well as directly with conflict parties and frontline peacebuilders.


• Serves as a comparative analyst on conflict resolution formats and strategies, drawing on academic scholarship, case studies, evidence-based research, and field experience.


• Builds strategic partnerships and cultivates contacts with subject matter experts and a wide variety of external organizations.


• Generates subject matter resources, including designing and delivering training for officials of governments, multilateral organizations, and peace process delegations.


• Collaborates and pursues coherence across the Institute on dialogue initiatives, including but not limited to national, religious, political, security and community dialogues as linked to their respective peace processes.


• Substantial travel overseas will be required.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree with ten (10)+ years of experience in political affairs, conflict resolution, diplomacy or a related field is strongly preferred. Masters, PhD, or JD with eight (8)+ years of work experience in the above listed fields also qualifies.


• Extensive field experience is required, with a minimum record of working on the ground in at least two conflict contexts outside the candidate’s country of origin.


• A demonstrated record working within a Track 1 or Track II peace processes is required.


• Professional experience working in or closely with a government department, multilateral institution, or international non-governmental organization on issues of peace and conflict is strongly preferred.


• Experience engaging and advising non-American stakeholder groups, civil society organizations, and policymakers is strongly preferred.


• Experience teaching or training on dialogue, negotiation, or mediation skills is preferred, as is experience facilitating large groups or meetings.


• Excellent representation and communication skills (oral and written), including cross-cultural, media, interpersonal skills; proven ability to deal with counterparts from the lowest and highest political, social, cultural, and economic levels.


• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English is required. The additional ability to work in either Spanish or Arabic is preferred.


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

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 including titles, dates of hire, and salary requirements.

2.  Cover letter

3.  Resume

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

See job description

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