Senior Program Specialist, Latin America Program – SENIO001804-00001

DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

The Senior Program Specialist (SPS) will offer key inputs to the development and implementation of USIP’s Latin America Program (LAP) portfolio. The Senior Program Specialist will be involved in overseeing all base-funded initiatives for the LAP, including contracts and initiatives in Colombia, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Venezuela, and will spend a significant part of his/her time assisting with scoping for future programming in Central America. The SPS will be the focal point for all thematic programs’ coordination, including the Nonviolent Action Program’s Synergizing Nonviolent Action and Peacebuilding (SNAP) program in Latin America, Youth Programming related to research, and Generation Change Fellowship Program, and the Religion and Inclusive Societies programming in Colombia and Venezuela.

This position is based in Washington, DC, and reports to the Director of Latin America. The SPS will also provide support to the Deputy Director and Program Officer for Latin America and will coordinate closely with the LAP Senior Administrative Assistant.

TARGET SALARY RANGE

Grade 11 – $72,000 – $75,000

The Institute uses the General Schedule salary tables for administering compensation. Contractor offers are determined based upon candidate qualifications, related experience, internal equity, and the amount budgeted for the position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Support:

* Liaises and coordinates with USIP thematic and regional teams for annual strategic planning

* Applies theory, policy, and knowledge of Latin America and the peacebuilding field to co-develop and support the implementation of USIP’s and LAP’s theory of change.

* Assist with scoping work for possible programming in Central America.

* Coordinates with USIP’s Youth Team to develop projects and provide support for the Generation Change Fellows in Colombia, Venezuela, and Bolivia. Manages the Youth Country Liaison initiative.

* Maintains conduit and coordination between LAP and the Nonviolent Action and SNAP programming in Latin America, particularly related to Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Venezuela.

* Liaises with and provides advice and insights for the Religion team’s initiatives involving Latin America, particularly on Colombia and Venezuela. Will support the Psychosocial Support to Victims of Internally Displaced Activity.

Budget and Contract Management:

* Provides program staff contract management support, including processing requisitions, receipts, and invoices.

* Supports and advances LAP’s base budget activities, monitors the base budget, opens contracts, and liaises closely with the Senior Administrative Assistant in the entry of new contracts and invoices.

* Serves as COTR as needed and appropriate.

* Provides technical advice on contract-related requirements and in coordination with USIP’s Procurement Office and the LAP Senior Administrative Assistant.

* Serves as the main point of contact for external contractors or vendors on any contractual or logistical-related items.

* Generates routine budget and financial reports to help monitor program budget.

* Helps reconcile the budget of the program by inputting transactions correctly, obligating funds, processing travel vouchers and reimbursements, and tracking the budget using financial software.

Event Planning:

* Supports the development of private roundtables or public events, liaises and coordinates with USIP relevant teams for this programming (Public Affairs, AV, Meetings, and Events)

* Develops promotional and informative descriptions of events for internal USIP staff members and external guests.

Special Projects:

* Supports the Monthly Latin America Working Group.

* Translates English<>Spanish on internal and external documents as necessary.

Other:

* Travels internationally as required

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

* Bachelor’s degree in international relations or related field required. Master’s degree preferred in areas related to political science, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.

* Five (5) or more years of related experience and familiarity with general personnel practices, admin/finance procedures, and coordination of major office activities required.

* Strong skills in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly MS Word, MS Outlook, and MS Excel is required. Strong computer skills in database usage are preferred.

* Excellent writing skills in English and Spanish.

* Spanish fluency required.

* Demonstrated interest in Latin America, particularly in countries of priority: Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador).

* Highly developed interpersonal skills, ability to build alliances and relationships and represent the program internally.

* Demonstrated experience in project management, event coordination, monitoring and evaluation, financial oversight, and reporting.

* Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.

* A highly motivated individual who is a self-starter.

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.