Regional Program Officer

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent quasi-federal institution established and funded by the U.S. Congress to:

Prevent and resolve violent international conflict;
Promote post-conflict stability and development; Increase peacebuilding capacity, tools, and intellectual capital.

The Institute accomplishes its mission through direct engagement in peacebuilding efforts around the world, and by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources.

SUMMARY

The Regional Program Officer (RPO) will represent the United States Institute of Peace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The RPO will serve on the MENA Management Team, taking a leadership role in the management of USIP operations, programs, program development, donor engagement, and in the strategic planning of USIP’s mission in the field.  

The RPO will be based in Iraq (mostly Erbil, but may include stays in Baghdad) and should be able to travel as needed. The RPO will manage operations and programmatic activities the Institute undertakes in Iraq. The term contract for this position is through September 30, 2015 with the possibility of extension.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program and Staff Management

• Provide daily management of the staff in MENA as required, by accounting for personnel, recommending task assignments, monitoring and mentoring staff work, coordinating to create work plans for each staff and supporting the capacity development of program staff.
• Contribute to the Institute’s understanding of conflict-related issues in MENA, as well as the conceptualization and design of USIP programs and the identification of funding opportunities.
• Provide effective strategic management support for the successful design and implementation of USIP programming throughout the region.
• Provide effective logistical, administrative and managerial support for the successful implementation of program activities including enforcing compliance of USIP’s event planning guidelines, all financial policies and procedures, and contract management where necessary.
• Recruit, train and supervise local staff within MENA, as required. The RPO will assist the MENA Management Team in designing plans to meet overall program objectives and submit them for approval.
• Assist in the capacity building of USIP staff, partners and grantees. 
• Have in-depth knowledge of: regional religious, political, and ethnic groups; conflict management techniques; program management and operations; contract management best practices; and grants management.

Business and Partnerships Development

• Build relationships on behalf of the Institute with a variety of actors in the region, including but not limited to civil society, government, and the international community. Track the development of relationships and regularly update the MEA database with meeting summaries, contact information, and follow-up on meeting action items.
• Identify opportunities for partnership and funding with a variety of actors and in line with the MENA donor engagement strategy.
• Interact regularly with members of the U.S. Government, including Embassy personnel, to feed USG guidance into ongoing program planning and proposal development.
• Lead proposal development, in accordance with USIP’s proposal toolkit and templates, including drafting, editing, and participating in planning discussions related to all MENA proposals.

Program Evaluation and Capacity Development

• Assist in the evaluation of program goals and objectives including strategic planning for future USIP activities and mission.
• Establish performance goals with program staff for current contract year and fiscal year.
• Mentor and coach staff in meeting goals and clearly outline capacity development plans in coordination with the MENA Management Team and relevant Program Officers.
• Support staff performance assessment and contract review including planning, development of evaluative tools, and coordination with the MENA Management Team to complete the process on time.

Communication and Representation

•  Represent USIP to the governments, international entities, local and international assistance providers, donors, local civic and political leaders, publics, and other actors as necessary and throughout the MENA Region.
• Develop and maintain respectful and strong working relationships with program stakeholders, including members of diverse religious, political, and ethnic groups.
• Communicate consistently and succinctly with HQ Project teams and MENA Management Team.
• Travel to Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and throughout the Region as a representative of the MENA Management Team at USIP events, workshops, meetings, and activities.
• Make substantial contributions to programs, debriefing sessions, mentoring staff, and providing technical expertise to consultants and/or partners.
• Provide excellent communication and analytical skills, including demonstrated ability to operate with high levels of autonomy and in making sound judgments within a highly stressful environment.
• Maintain morale among staff in a difficult work environment through clear and consistent communication to staff and collaborative contribution to the MENA Management Team.

Administration and Logistics

• Assist in the planning and support of travel of Washington-based and local USIP staff in the region, as well as making appointments and attending meetings.
• In conjunction with security advisors in the field and in Washington, DC, assist in the management of USIP’s security profile of the Institute in the region, and maintain a high level of security awareness/preparedness at all times.
• Manage and authorize USIP expenditures and disbursements in the field following approval from Program staff and/or MENA Director(s).
• Participation in cash counts and cash deliveries in coordination with additional staff as necessary.
• Manage USIP financial and physical assets in line with USIP’s Finance Policies and Procedures.

Reporting

• Preparation of and distribution of timely reports to USIP- Washington and to other entities as appropriate, including but not limited to the compiling and editing of weekly reporting within the MEA database.  
• Providing security reports and follow-up on security incidents in the region and/or incidents involving staff.
• Providing monthly work plan for submission to Director and MEA Associate Vice President.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional Terms           

• Upon acceptance of this contract and throughout the period of performance, contractor must adhere to the Policies and procedures defined in the Operations Manual for Contractors.
• Contractor will be required to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in representing the Institute.
• Contractor will be responsible for protection of USIP supplies and equipment including those issued as personal equipment as well as those housed on USIP property.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of Iraq and the region in general, conflict management techniques, experience in contract and grants management, country program operations and project management, and excellent political analysis and reporting skills are important.
• Experience working with government officials plus local and international civil society groups is critical. Prior experience in program and operations management in Iraq is preferred.
• Creativity, excellent communications and analytical skills and the ability to operate with high levels of autonomy and responsibility in a fast-paced and transitional environment are required.
• Position requires excellent teambuilding skills, quick judgment, and negotiation skills.
• A Master’s degree or equivalent experience in social sciences, humanities, international relations or conflict resolution/conflict management.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in at least two of the following areas: contract/grant management, economic development (including private sector development), community development, mediation/arbitration, and conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, and/or human rights activities;
• Supervisory or management experience;
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently in complex and difficult situations;
• Ability to manage field staff and field programs in transitional environments;
• Excellent oral and writing communication skills, including the ability to deal with counterparts on both the lowest and highest political, social and economic levels;
• Professional proficiency to write and speak English and Arabic. (Applicants with language ability should indicate their fluency levels). 

All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation. 

Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be based on a MENA region scale ($40,000-$50,000 annual salary).

Please mention "www.Cambodiajobs.Biz" where you saw the ad when you register or apply! 

How to Apply To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:1.  Cover letter2.  Resume

If a link does not appear on your screen to "Complete your Application", please go to www.usip.org/work-us to submit your cover letter and resume.

If you are having problems submitting your online application, please try another browser (Internet Explorer and Firefox work best). If the “Email your Resume” button does not respond, right click on the button and select 'copy shortcut' or 'copy email address' and send your resume to the copied email address using your personal email account.  

For questions about this position please email Cheryl Saferstein at csaferstein@usip.org. Please do not send resumes or attachments to this email address.

Due to the high volume of candidates, only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted. 

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, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliations or belief, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.