Research Officer, Nonviolent Action – RESEA01632-00001

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 to the world stage, USIP is the place for you.

JOB BRIEF

The Research Officer for Nonviolent Action (NVA) will conduct, collaborate on, and supervise research projects on nonviolent action. Responsibilities include data collection and analysis across multiple research methodologies, writing research reports and academic articles, identifying and contracting with outside researchers to conduct research projects, supervising the progress of intra-team and contracted research, and presenting results of research projects to activists, policy audiences, and international peacebuilding organizations. The position reports to the Director of the Program on Nonviolent Action within ACT and will be based at USIP’s Washington, DC headquarters.

TARGET SALARY RANGE

Grade 12 – $86,000 – $89,000

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 amount budgeted for the position.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Development and Planning:

* Lead and collaborate on design and execution of internal research projects, including ongoing research on the effectiveness of training in nonviolent action and peacebuilding, the intersection of people power and dialogue and negotiation processes, the landscape of nonviolent action in South Sudan, movement mapping, and the psychosocial factors motivating participation in nonviolent action and violent extremism.

* Conduct qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis for research projects on nonviolent action.

* Manage and collaborate with research lead and other USIP experts in designing and proposing new research projects to pursue internal to USIP and through inter-agency agreements with US government partners.

* Serve as a peer reviewer for other USIP research projects, including those external to the nonviolent action team, when requested.

* Act as a point of contact and reference on nonviolent action research for other USIP teams when requested by the NVA team research lead.

Financial Management:

* Manage contracting processes for external researchers, activists, and other partners to contract with for larger research projects. Expand network of academic experts with whom to share requests for proposals on research projects.

* Oversee and technically evaluate deliverables from external contractors on research projects.

Public Outreach:

* Write up results of research projects on nonviolent action for USIP-branded publications and academic journal articles.

* Write periodic short, practitioner audience-focused pieces for USIP online publications and external media upon request.

* Brief activist, civil society, and policy maker partners on relevant research findings upon request.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

* PhD in political science, international relations, conflict resolution, or closely related field required.

* Two (2) or more years of related experience (including dissertation research) required. Experience supervising large research projects with multiple personnel preferred.

* Knowledge of academic literature on nonviolent action, civil resistance, or social movements required. Additional knowledge of academic literature on peacebuilding, dialogue and negotiation, and democratization preferred.

* Excellent writing skills required. Ability to clearly and compellingly write for academic, policy, and activist audiences preferred.

* Excellent research, analytical, and critical thinking skills required. Strong preference for candidates with expertise across multiple research methodologies, including statistical methods, qualitative methods, experimental methods, and participatory action research.

* Strong skills in data analysis and visualization software such as R, Stata, or SPSS, with preference for R. Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly MS Word, MS Outlook, and MS Excel required.

* Compelling public speaking skills and ability to communicate complex research findings to non-specialist audiences preferred.

* Oral and written fluency in English required. At least one additional fluent language preferred, with specific preference for Spanish, French, or Arabic.

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

* Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships and strong interpersonal skills, including cross-cultural communication.

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

For questions about this position please email [email protected]. 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.

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.