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 BRIEF
The Vice President, Latin America Program (LAP) will lead the Latin America team of USIP in its programs and activities in Washington and across the hemisphere. They will oversee the development of USIP's regional strategy and program activities to maximize the Institute's unique ability to work with U.S. policymakers and regional partners to foster peace and regional stability. The Vice President will particularly focus their priorities on the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Haiti, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, with secondary attention on Nicaragua, Bolivia, Mexico, and Ecuador. In addition, the Vice President will identify new areas of programming and partnership opportunities in the region based on a thorough needs assessment and in line with USIP's mission and strategy. Furthermore, the VP will advise USIP staff and external partners, informing policy as it relates to the region as well as providing insights for other conflicts through publications, briefings and convening public and private events. The VP will serve as a member of the Leadership Team, reporting directly to the CEO and President of the Institute.
The VP will be based in USIP's headquarters in Washington, D.C. This role requires regular travel throughout the region as needed.
CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS 01 / 22 / 2025
TARGET SALARY
Grade EX III - $195,201 - $207,500
The Institute uses the General Schedule salary tables for administering compensation. Offers are determined based upon candidate qualifications, related experience, internal equity, and the amount budgeted for the position.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy, Program, and Partnership Development Â
- Oversees LAP's annual planning and regional strategy development processes. This includes conducting a needs assessment to identify strategic and innovative programming opportunities across the region in alignment with USIP's mission to prevent, mitigate and resolve violent conflict.
- Collaborates with the Country Directors to support, strengthen, and expand ongoing programs and initiatives in regional priority countries.
- Facilitates effective communications between USIP's Bogotá, San Salvador, and Washington offices regarding program activities.
- Builds and sustains networks in the public, private, and non-profit sectors who seek to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate peacebuilding initiatives, particularly relevant to peace negotiations, inter-communal conflict, peace education, depolarization, social dialogue, and security sector reform. This effort includes strengthening relationships with U.S. Government (USG) counterparts and other like-minded institutions through information briefings and developing potential programming as well as strengthening regional partners to leverage resources and combine efforts to promote USIP program initiatives and goals.
Strategic Advising, Learning and Informing Policy
Provides technical assistance on peacebuilding efforts across the region to policy makers, government practitioners, non-government organizations, and regional and international organizations in the U.S. and abroad as a representative of USIP.ÂCollaborates across the institute on work being carried out in the Latin America region related to peace processes and process design, including on justice and security.Engages with country teams to exchange effective approaches and strategies applied in the region. ÂHelps develop and oversee the implementation of a research agenda, including anticipating issues of policy interest, and commissioning research that furthers understanding of conflict dynamics and is relevant to policymakers.ÂEnsures Latin America programs have strong monitoring, evaluation and learning components, and ensures program learning is documented and used to inform the work of USIP and others.Representation and Communications
Serves as LAP's senior representative in Washington, liaising with relevant officials of the USG, international organizations, as well as with a diverse range of civil society organizations, academic institutions, the media, and local community leaders and groups.Organizes and chairs policy-oriented conferences, roundtable discussions, and workshops that further the goals of both the Latin America program and the Institute as a whole. This includes responsibility for defining the programing objectives, and managing appropriate program design, participation, preparation, and implementation to ensure those objectives are met.Contributes directly to USIP's research / policy output by writing policy-relevant reports, briefing papers, analysis, and commentary in USIP articles and blogs, op-eds, journal articles, podcasts and radio and television interviews.Attends and participates in external conferences, events, briefings to government officials, and media fora on behalf of USIP as a subject matter expert on Latin American conflicts. This includes testimony to Congress and responding to relevant media requests.Effectively disseminates information on LAP's activities and research findings through briefings of key stakeholders and convening of events.Supports efforts to strengthen communication between USIP HQ and in-country staff.Personnel and Resource Management
Provides oversight to LAP's HQ and in-country operations, and provides effective managerial, administrative, financial, and logistical guidance and support for the successful implementation of USIP's portfolio in the region.Provides technical and administrative supervision to program staff and external consultants on the team; establishes long-range work plans and ensures that appropriate goals and objectives are implemented; conducts performance evaluations for USIP staff members.Oversees preparation and ensures implementation of all budgets for the team and program under her / his responsibility, including all phases from design of future programs to drafting of budget narrative, design of budget submission formats, calculation of budget, presentation to Executive Office, and revision during the fiscal year based on actual costs and Institute-wide modifications.Works closely with the LAP senior management and other USIP colleagues to ensure policies and procedures are followed, and that all aspects of resource management are performed, and financial reports are submitted in a timely manner.Identifies and cultivates funding and other strategic partnership opportunities and assists in drafting of project concept notes and interagency funding proposals.Ensures Center compliance with Institute policies and implementation of guidance related to diversity, equity, inclusiveness, and accessibility.Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in international relations, political science, social science, conflict resolution, peace studies or relevant field, required within the context of Latin America.Minimum of fifteen (15) or more years related experience.Strong relationships and networks across governments and civil society in LAP's priority countries, including previous experience engaging with U.S. Embassies and agencies as well as domestic and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the region.Significant previous experience living and working in Latin America.Expertise in at least two of the following areas : peace processes / dialogue, negotiations, and mediation; security sector reform; nonviolent action; post-conflict stabilization; and inclusion of diverse actors.Knowledge of USIP's role, mandate, and unique added value.A proven track record of thought leadership (speaking, writing and representation) related to Latin America, including on peace processes, negotiations, depolarization, and democratization.Demonstrated leadership and management skills and experience leading and managing employees with various levels of responsibility.Strong project management skills and experience overseeing complex projects; and previous experience implementing adaptive programs in highly complex and dynamic environments.Strong collaboration skills with the ability to coordinate the input and priorities of multiple players.Excellent interpersonal skills with proven ability to lead and motivate others, and to work as a team player.Ability to think strategically, and to effectively develop, communicate, and execute plans.Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish, including the ability to deal effectively with counterparts on all political, social, and economic levels; andAbility to travel in the United States and in the region.All applicants must be US citizens to be considered for positions with USIP.
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 :
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."
Salary : $195,201 - $207,500
