Managing Director, Gandhi King Global Academy - United States Institute of Peace

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 Description 

The Managing Director oversees and leads the work of USIP’s recently established Gandhi-King Global Academy (Academy), mandated by Congress to serve as a top-tier center of training and practice on conflict resolution tools based on the principles of nonviolence.  The Managing Director is entrusted with setting out the vision and direction of the Academy, in collaboration with the President, and for working with experts, practitioners, and policymakers to identify new generation conflict resolution tools; adapt current tools so they remain fit for purpose in a changing world; and provide training for peacebuilders on the use of these tools for addressing grievances, de-escalating tensions, and resolving disputes.    The Managing Director leads and supervises the Academy’s specialized teams of expert practitioners working in the areas of negotiation, mediation, dialogue, peace games and simulations, civil-military affairs, crisis management, and non-violent action. The Managing Director is also responsible for overseeing and expanding the work of the Institute’s online practitioner courses and training programs.  

The Managing Director reports directly to the President of the Institute and is expected to have demonstrated expertise in conflict resolution, including direct field experience. The Managing Director will have a track record addressing the risks and challenges facing front-line practitioners and in shaping peacebuilding practice. The Managing Director is expected to have a deep knowledge of non-violent action; a wide network of contacts, colleagues, and counterparts in peacebuilding; demonstrated managerial skills; and a track record of working collaboratively.

TARGET SALARY

Grade EX IV/III

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.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Oversees the Academy’s annual planning and budget process and through this process, charts out the Academy’s vision, direction, and course of action; ensures the work of the Academy is aligned with the responsibilities entrusted to it by Congress.
• Seeks and develops new partnerships with United States (U.S.) agencies and departments, practitioner networks, and institutions working for peace across the world.
• Represents the Academy at conferences, meetings, events, and with relevant officials and counterparts.
• Ensures the Academy’s expertise is widely available to Congress, U.S. agencies and departments, practitioner networks, and within the Institute.
• Ensures practitioners across the world are aware of the services the Academy provides and tailors these services to address the needs of practitioners more effectively.
• Assesses the status of conflict resolution globally, and based on these assessments, develops new, or adapts existing, conflict resolution tools.
• Establishes mechanisms and systems for tracking the impact of the services provided through the Academy.
• Oversees and takes responsibility for ensuring that all official documentation and all project, policy and information products from the Academy comply with Institute standards.
• Supervises the development and executive of the Academy’s annual workplan and ensures staff workplans are linked to this plan.
• Assesses staff performance, provides continual feedback and guidance to staff, and where relevant, identifies possible staff development opportunities.
• Ensures a working environment within the Academy that meets the highest standards of professional excellence.
• Ensures Academy and staff compliance with all Institute guidelines, practices and policies.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Master’s or Ph.D. Degree in a relevant field, i.e., social sciences, humanities, international relations, or conflict management.
• Minimum of fifteen (15) or more years related experience.
• Knowledge of non-violence principles and action.
• Strong relationships and networks across the peacebuilding domain and with U.S. government agencies and departments.
• Significant experience living and working in conflict settings.
• Expertise in conflict resolution tools including dialogue, negotiation, mediation, reconciliation, de-escalation, crisis management, nonviolent action, etc.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to coordinate the input and priorities of multiple players.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the proven ability to lead, coach, critique, and motivate others, and to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to think strategically, and to effectively develop, communicate, and execute ideas/plans.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, including the ability to deal effectively with counterparts on all political, social, cultural, and economic levels.

CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS 03/28/24.

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:
1.  Completed employment application including titles, dates of hire and salary requirements.
2.  Cover letter
3.  Resume 

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.