Team Lead, Personal Services Contractor, Gabon

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 Team Lead will serve as the Gabon-based project lead for USIP’s Peace Consolidation and Social Cohesion project in the country. In coordination with the DC-based program team and under the supervision of the Political Transitions Program Manager.

The Team Lead will lead the implementation of in-country activities, facilitate the conduction of trainings and workshops in conflict resolution, mediation and social cohesion techniques, organize and support civil society roundtables and government-civil society dialogues, liaise with both government and civil stakeholders, provide planning and logistical support for USIP missions and other activities in Gabon, and contribute to reporting to project partners.

This is a full-time term Personal Services Contractor role for a host country national based in Gabon. 

Job Brief:

• Provide advisory support to the planning, coordination, and execution of Peace Consolidation and Social Cohesion project priorities and objectives in Gabon.
• Lead the implementation of Peace Consolidation and Social Cohesion project activities in Gabon, in coordination with the USIP Headquarters based program team and under the supervision of the Program Manager.
• Coordinate the planning and implementation of trainings and workshops in conflict resolution, mediation and social cohesion techniques.
• Provide support to advance multistakeholder dialogue, policy engagement and engagement with transitional authorities and civic leaders in Gabon, in close coordination with the USIP Headquarters based program team and USIP field partners.
• Assist with work-planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning of USIP in-country (Gabon), including by collecting data and occasional empirical research that can feed into overall program evaluation or publications, in coordination with the USIP Headquarters based program team.
• Contribute to planning and logistical support for USIP missions to Gabon and other USIP activities in country.
• Contribute to highlighting USIP’s work in Gabon as part of meetings, briefings, policy roundtables and other events in country, region, and Washington DC where applicable.
• Support the USIP Headquarters based program team in the development of reports to the project funder, policy guidance, or political analysis as needed.
• Cultivate relationships in Gabon with transitional authorities, civic actors and other key stakeholders.
• Provide bi-weekly progress report (every 2 weeks) via email on Gabon to the DC-based program team as well as other updates, as needed.
• Participate in biweekly calls with USIP Headquarters based program team and other Africa Center colleagues where relevant.
• Support the USIP Headquarters based program team in the development of reports to the project funder, policy guidance, or political analysis as needed.
• Be available to travel within Gabon, in the region, or internationally where needed and appropriate.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, conflict resolution, peace studies or related field.
• Eight (8) years of relevant professional work experience.
• Expertise in at least two of the following areas: citizen security, social cohesion, peacebuilding, mediation and conflict resolution, youth, dialogue processes, political analysis, policy development, and rule of law. 
• Strong contacts and relationships with government and transitional authorities in Gabon. Experience working closely with local communities, community-based organizations, and national civil society networks in Gabon is a plus. 
• Policy and political analysis expertise.
• Deep understanding of current context and broad range of connections from local to national level. 
• Demonstrated experience in project management and  implementation, financial oversight, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to work closely with the Government of Gabon at the national and local levels.
• Strong interest in innovative and adaptive programming. 
• Proven ability to work independently and effectively, and work well as part of a team.
• Strong collaboration skills; must have the ability to coordinate the input and priorities of multiple players.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the proven ability to lead and motivate others.
• Ability to be flexible, think strategically, and to effectively develop, communicate, and execute plans.
• Willingness to travel to municipalities in Gabon and outside Gabon as required.
• Previous experience working with US-government grants preferred.
• Proficiency in French and English required. 

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.