Program Officer, Personal Services Contractor, Iraq

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 Summary:

The Iraq, Gulf, Yemen (IGY) program of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) seeks a Program Officer to work in Iraq. IGY informs policy and the public through research and conflict analysis, builds conflict resolution and peacebuilding capacity especially that of civil society, and supports field-based program initiatives such as problem-solving dialogues that foster social cohesion. These objectives are met through a dynamic operation that spans multiple locations in-country and Headquarters office, involving different departments and partners. Successful performance in this environment requires being vision oriented; leading but also substantively contributing to analysis, projects, and events; bringing different teams and elements of the program and Institute together for effective design and implementation; and a positive attitude and support to team-members and partners.

The PO serves as Project Manager and leads project development, planning, and implementation; operational management; and public outreach for USIP’s project on return and reintegration in Iraq. This position reports to the Director of IGY program. The PO’s primary duty station will be Baghdad and may be required travel to Anbar and other provinces. 

This is a full-time term, Personal Services Contractor role based in Iraq for a host country national in Baghdad, Iraq. The contract can be renewed pending good performance, funding, and business needs. 

Job Brief:

Project Development, Planning, and Implementation:

• Serves as the Project Manager and leads the implementation of the project, and any necessary reviews or further development of the projects’ goals, objectives, operating plan, budget, etc.
• Manages the day-to-day and planning operations of the project; oversees documentation of project activities.
• Manages relationships with key external partners (government, international organizations, national CSOs), regarding project coordination and execution.
• Monitors and evaluates activities to meet program goals and objectives, including but not limited to the tracking and updating of project indicators.
• Oversees and delivers monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for both internal and external project stakeholders, including responsibility for the development, editing and timely submission of any progress reports as required, coordinating with HQ and/or regional counterparts.
• Provides regular project and contextual updates to the relevant program team members in country, regional, and headquarters offices.
• Provides technical support to staff and partners involved in the implementation of the projects on issues such as data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and thematic issues like dialogues.
• Provides research support for topics related to reconciliation, stabilization, countering violent extremism, climate change-induced conflicts and any other relevant topic as required.
• Develops programmatic success stories into pieces for website to demonstrate impact; and
• Travels to Anbar, Baghdad (if based outside the capital), and other parts of Iraq for events and activities as well as other locations in the region as required.

Operational Management:

• Manages and tracks the project budget to ensure that the project is operating within its designated budget in order to meet project goals and objectives; and
• Produces monthly budget snapshots to supervisor and relevant team members.
• Manages financial operations in-country in close coordination with relevant staff. 
• Manages relevant in-country staff. 
• Provides security updates and maintains a high level of security awareness at all times.

Public Outreach:

• Builds strategic partnerships and cultivates contacts with subject matter experts and a wide variety of external organizations, institutions and actors to leverage resources and combine efforts to promote USIP program initiatives and goals.
• With approval from supervisor, attends and participates in various conferences, events, and other programs to speak on behalf of USIP on specific subject matter area of expertise; and
• Provides briefings to government and non-government organizations on key subject matter area. 

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in peacebuilding, international relations or related field or equivalent experience required.
• Six (6) or more years of related experience including demonstrated experience in designing, managing and monitoring and evaluation of complex peacebuilding and/or development projects.
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills and knowledge in subject areas, preferably problem-solving dialogues, reintegration of displaced population, community-police relations, transitional justice, reconciliation.
• Proficiency (reading, writing, and speaking) in both English and Arabic required.
• Two years or more of relevant experience in program implementation in Iraq.
• Program and financial management proficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships and strong interpersonal skills, including cross-cultural communication.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Must be able to multi-task and work under deadlines in a dynamic environment; and
• Must have the ability to work in a team as well as independently. 

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.”