Program Officer, China - 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 BRIEF

The Program Officer (PO) for China will develop and implement USIP programming, cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and outside audiences, track the program budget, and provide research and analysis on China.  The Program Officer will report to the Director for East and Southeast Asia Programs and work closely with other colleagues across USIP.  This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC, with some international travel required.

This is a Full Time Term appointment and schedule to end on 09/30/2025

CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS 07/03/2024

TARGET SALARY

Grade 13 - $117,900 - $121,800

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

Development and Planning:

• Collaborating with the Director for East and Southeast Asia Programs, supports or leads the development and implementation of projects related to China.
• Works with the China team, identifies strategic and innovative programming opportunities for USIP that are aligned with USIP’s China program strategy.
• Identifies and maintains critical stakeholder relationships related to the program.

• Ensures the highest level of communication and cooperation with relevant USIP departments/divisions/teams and external partners.
• Participates in strategic planning sessions with regional and thematic teams.  
• Keeps up to date on new research and programs as they relate to USIP’s work.
• Pursues external funding for project initiatives with potential interagency partners by building relationships with interagency partners, leading project design, and drafting proposals and other relevant materials.

Financial and Project Management:

• Tracks program budget to manage and monitor all contract activities, including drafting Scopes of Work and Memoranda of Understanding.
• Manages the lifecycle of contracts, including tracking deliverable due dates, payments and responding to routine partner inquiries to ensure optimal allocation of resources and compliance with USIP policies and procedures while meeting goals and objectives.
• Ensures all program activities are implemented within program timelines and in a manner that meets program standards and objectives.
• Manages implementation of select USIP projects relating to China.
• Serves as a point of contact for Institute-wide initiatives related to China.
• Maintains and develops project management practices including trackers, timelines, workplans and tutorials.
• Assists the Director for East and Southeast Asia in identifying new funding opportunities, meeting with potential interagency partners, and drafting project concept notes and proposals for work on China.
• Develops monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting for both internal and external project stakeholders, including responsibility for the development, editing and timely submission of any donor progress reports that may be required. 

Personnel Management:

• Directly supervises program assistant(s), program specialist(s), and/or research assistant(s) as needed.

• Works with direct reports to develop performance objectives, and according to USIP’s HR policies, conducts annual performance evaluations.
• Ensures compliance with USIP’s HR policies and procedures.

Research, Analysis, and Thought Leadership:

• Researches and writes on topics relevant to USIP’s work on China.
• Provides briefings to governmental or other organizations on USIP’s work on China.
• Responds to public queries and media requests regarding USIP’s work on China.

• Attends and participates in various conferences, events, and other programs to speak on behalf of USIP about the program’s work.

• Supports or leads efforts to represent the program in internal and external events and to disseminate information about USIP’s programs and research findings.

• Helps to oversee and manage events, convenings, and research outputs relating to China.

• Supports the Director on strategic communications for USIP’s work on China.

Other:

• Travels around the United States or internationally as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international affairs, law, or related field (or equivalent experience) with seven (7) years of experience is required.
• Master’s degree in the above mentioned fields with five (5) years of experience is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant work experience in/on China.
• Strong interest and experience with innovative programming and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent representative and communications 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.
• Ability to think strategically, and to effectively develop, communicate and execute plans; to coordinate the input and priorities of multiple players.
• Demonstrated research, analytic and writing skills. Able to write effectively in a variety of formats and for a variety of audiences.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of China’s foreign policy, China’s impact on peace and conflict dynamics, and the Asia-Pacific region at large.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with officials in government, international organizations, and national partners.
• Demonstrated experience in project design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Fluency in English required, Chinese language ability highly desirable.

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
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.