Guatemala Country Director at United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Washington DC

Job Description:

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.

SUMMARY

The Country Director will represent the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Guatemala and contribute to developing, managing, and evaluating in-country program activities. The objective of USIP's Guatemala program is to support efforts to better understand the nature and causes of conflict in Guatemala through research and analysis, to use this learning to inform policymaking, and to implement programs aimed at strengthening negotiated solutions to  conflict.

The Country Director is responsible for identifying and developing new areas of programming and partnership opportunities in line with USIP’s strategic goals and objectives, and for ensuring that existing initiatives are executed in accordance with best practices and at the highest professional standards.  

The Country Director ensures respectful, effective, professional, and collaborative relations within the region and USIP headquarters.

The Country Director ensures that all USIP administrative, personnel and financial policies and procedures are executed in the field offices in accordance with Institute guidelines. The incumbent is expected to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards and to travel to Washington, D.C. (HQ) as needed.

The Country Director will be based in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and will report to the Vice President, Latin America Program in USIP’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

This is a full-time one-year Personal Services Contractor position, based in Guatemala City, Guatemala, with some regional and international travel required. The contract can be renewed pending performance, funding, and business needs. This is a Personal Services Contractor position for Host Country Nationals in Guatemala or Third-Country Nationals. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Development:

• Oversee USIP programs executed in country; where required, manage specific initiatives and programs.


• Identify, design and execute new strategic and innovative programming and interagency agreement (IAA) opportunities that are aligned with USIP strategic priorities, as articulated in USIP budget documents and the Latin America strategic workplan.


• Oversee the monitoring, evaluation, and documented learning of USIP’s Guatemala programs.


• Disseminate information about USIP’s country program activities and research as presented in approved workplans, through briefings with key stakeholders and participation in working groups and/or events.


• Report regularly to the Vice President, Latin America Program on all aspects of USIP engagement in the country and on the management of all USIP programs and initiatives in Guatemala.


• Facilitate effective communications between USIP’s Guatemala and HQ offices on all Institute issues and respond punctually to all enquiries and requests from USIP headquarters.

Partnerships:

• Develop and maintain productive contacts with relevant Guatemala government agencies and institutions relevant to negotiations, inter-communal conflict, peace education, social dialogue, and thematic peacebuilding areas.


• Manage partnerships with US Embassy counterparts, including communicating current work, developing ideas for potential programing, and preparing project concept notes and interagency funding proposals.


• Develop and maintain productive contacts with international institutions, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the media, and local community leaders and groups.


• Identify partners to collaborate with and manage and facilitate relationships with existing implementing partners.


• Ensure proper coordination with recipients of USIP grants, and with USIP fellows.

Analysis:

• Regularly, and in response to headquarters requests, draft commentary, and analysis for the USIP website and publications.


• Develop research priorities, identify potential researchers, shortlist proposals, and review initial drafts.


• Share lessons learned and coordinate experience exchanges with colleagues within the Latin America program, as well as with other regional and thematic centers.

Operations:

• Lead the day-to-day operations of USIP’s Guatemala office, including all administrative, logistical, financial, and contractual matters; work closely with headquarters teams to ensure that all administrative, logistical, and financial matters and procedures in the Guatemala office are executed in accordance with guidelines from headquarters.


• Ensure full compliance of all in-country programs with USIP contractual management procedures.


• Manage all USIP staff working in Guatemala in accordance with USIP personnel and ethics policies; evaluate the performance of USIP staff working in the country on the basis of approved workplans.


• Under the guidance of the Chief Security Officer in USIP headquarters, institute proper safety and security protocols for Guatemala and regularly review, update, and test security guidelines to ensure that they are understood and followed by all USIP staff and visitors to the country. Coordinate safety and security training for all staff and contractors in the country.


• In coordination with USIP’s Grants and Contracts Administration, update the assets and dispersion plan for equipment owned by USIP in Guatemala.


• Provide logistical support and advice, including arranging meetings, for USIP visitors to the country.


• Manage USIP’s in-country budget on the basis of guidance provided by USIP headquarters including timely and accurate financial reporting. Ensure that progress reports for Base-funded projects and IAAs are timely and accurate and in alignment with Institute guidance.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President, Latin America Program.

 QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, conflict resolution, and peace studies or relevant field is required. Master’s degree preferred.


• 8-10 years of relevant professional work experience in democracy promotion, anti-corruption, and institutional development, human rights, citizen security, security sector reform, peacebuilding /conflict prevention.


• Experience working closely with local communities and community-based organizations in Guatemala.


• Demonstrated experience in project management and project implementation, including budget and financial oversight and reporting and monitoring and evaluation.


• Proven track record of core leadership capabilities including team building, collaboration, partnership building, speaking, and writing.


• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and effectively develop, communicate, and execute plans.


• Proven track record of working in accordance with the protocols, guidelines, and regulations of USIP.


• Previous field-based experience in conflict settings and/or experience implementing programs in highly complex and dynamic environments.


• Written and spoken proficiency in English and Spanish is required.


• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets.


• Demonstrated ability to coordinate the input and priorities of multiple players.


• Willingness to travel within Guatemala and to DC as required (4 times a year).

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.

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