Senior Advisor

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 Senior Advisor serves as the Middle East North Africa (MENA) Center’s principal expert and strategist through advising, providing insights and analysis related to the programming and current developments in Libya.  Focused on identifying Libyan key stakeholders, decisionmakers, and the political and economic elite, the Senior Advisor will work closely with North Africa Program leadership (Director of North Africa and Country Director) in matters pertaining to implementation of programming, identifying new projects, designing of talking points, and authoring articles that align with advancing USIP’s mission and United States Government (USG) priorities within the Maghreb Region. The Senior Advisor travels domestically and internationally and collaborates and counsels the MENA Vice President and North Africa Program leadership on key Libyan aspects and other North African countries as needed. This position will work at 20 percent level of effort, is remote with some travel, and will report to the Vice President of MENA.

CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS 8/30/2024

TARGET SALARY 

Grade: EX 

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

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Thought Leadership, Representation & Communications:   

• Support MENA’s leadership with advice in leading and promoting programmatic analysis and practice on Libya ensuring that the latest and most relevant knowledge, theories, research, and practices are available to leadership and staff. 
• Research and write on topics relevant to USIP’s mission, including analysis and commentary pieces, blog posts, op-eds, and other relevant USIP websites and publications as needed.
• Represents USIP via speaking engagement and other public and private events on issues related to USIP’s work in general, and the Libyan Program in particular
• Convening on- and off-the-record roundtable discussions and serve on and help lead formal and ad hoc working groups on Libya and the Maghreb region relationships.

• Support the Libya Program in outreach to USG agencies for partnership opportunities, including identifying potential IAA partners and drafting concept notes in coordination with USIP staff.    
• Help develop and expand USIP’s North Africa program in the Maghreb region.     
• Organize public and private events with partners from the region, advise on best strategies to have an impact on peace, conflict, and stability in the region, and propose policy options based on these activities. 

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in internationally focused discipline (Middle East/Arab studies (preferred), international relations, anthropology, political science, foreign affairs, etc.) required.

• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in policy and program leadership, development programming, strategic planning, coordination support or change management preferably in an international organization.
• Demonstrable expertise in US policy development and implementation in the Middle East and North Africa preferably with the Department of State or another relevant agency.

• Excellent representation and communication skills (oral and written), including cross-cultural, media, interpersonal skills; proven ability to deal with counterparts from the lowest and highest political, social, cultural, and economic levels.
• Proven ability to negotiate directly with senior parties to violent and protracted conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa.

• Strong knowledge and u