Director, Program Development and Partnerships

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.

TARGET SALARY

Grade 15 - $163,000 - $ 169,000

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.

JOB BRIEF

The Director of Program Development and Partnerships is responsible for overseeing the strategic development and overall management of advancing programmatic partnerships with federal agencies and the internal development and coordination of new contracting agreements with those agencies. The Director represents USIP and participates as required in overall USIP management, budgeting and strategic direction. The position is full-time, will be based in USIP’s Headquarters in Washington, DC, and will report to the Vice President of the Africa Center.

Major Duties and Responsibilities 

 Strategic Planning, and Program Development and Management:  

• Lead and collaborates in the annual planning and strategy development processes, under the direction of the Vice-President. This includes coordination in developing the Center’s strategic plan, goals, objectives, and operating plan in line with the Africa Center and USIP Strategic plans; conducting a needs assessment to identify strategic and innovative programming opportunities; and designating appropriate resources required to support projects.
• Oversee the design, development, and implementation for coordinating and expanding the Africa Center’s programmatic partnerships with federal agencies in line with the Africa Center and USIP’s strategic plans, mission and goals.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships and contacts with federal agencies.
• Identify and cultivate appropriate funding sources and coordinate the development of concept notes, funding proposals, and inter-agency agreements in accordance with the Africa Center strategic plan.
• Provide advice and guidance to Africa programs and lead in the conceptualization, design and negotiation of new Interagency Agreements (IAAs).
• As assigned by the Vice President, manage a program development team at HQ and in the field.

Representation and Communications:

• Contribute to USIP Strategic Communications through representation, publications, media.
• Maintain and strengthen institutional relationships with strategic government and non-government stakeholders and interagency partners.
• Build and sustain networks of professionals in the public and non-profit sectors who seek to develop peacebuilding initiatives in Africa to prevent fragility and mitigate violent conflicts.
• Increase awareness of USIP’s expertise, though leadership, and program capacity with federal partners, managing strategies for better communication and cooperation.
• Participate in the planning and development of initiatives organized by Africa Center divisions, recommending issues and participants for those meetings.
• Synchronize intergovernmental work with the Institute’s Strategic Communications and Legislative Affairs Teams.  

Personnel Management and Development:

• Oversee and provide strategic guidance to internal staff and external consultants involved in program development efforts.
• As assigned by the Vice President, provide program development and administrative supervision to program staff and external consultants at HQ and in the field; establish long-range work plans and ensure that appropriate goals and objectives are implemented; conduct performance evaluations for USIP staff members through positive leadership, inspire and motivate team members to achieve their best performance.
• Work closely with the Vice President and other USIP colleagues to ensure policies and procedures are followed, and th