USA: Program Officer: Climate, Environment and Conflict

Aug 17, 2022 | United States Institute of Peace
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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 a front-row seat on the world stage, USIP is the place for you.  

Job Brief

The Program Officer (PO) collaborates with the Director of the CEC program to implement projects addressing the strategic goals for USIP’s new Climate, Environment, and Conflict (CEC) program. The successful candidate will oversee research and USIP publications, convening and leading policy conversations, cultivating partner relationships, and organizing an internal speaker and discussion series. Additionally, the PO will support the formulation of new program concepts that integrate climate and environment issues into USIP’s core practice areas, including technical support for environmental peacebuilding programs. This position is based in Washington, D.C., and reports to the Director of the CEC program.

USIP’s Climate, Environment, and Conflict (CEC) program was launched in the beginning of 2022.  Its initial focus is in three key policy-relevant themes:  understanding and mitigating the risks of conflict in a transition to a global green economy; the impacts of migration and displacement linked to climate and environmental change; and management of transboundary water resources in a changing climate. Through research, convenings, and collaborative partnerships with external stakeholders, the CEC program will develop policy recommendations designed to address challenges in these three areas.

Target Salary Range

Grade 13 - $106,000 - $110,000

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.

Responsibilities

Development and Planning:

  • Design and manage activities of at least one theme in consultation with the CEC Director; identify the most critical policy issues; identify appropriate resources and partners required to support program goals and objectives; design and implement annual workplans around engagement on that issue.
  • Provide technical assistance to teams across USIP to design programs related to climate and environmental issues and to seek USG funding.
  • Build strategic partnerships with experts and a wide variety of policy and programmatic organizations, as well as internal partners, to advance the CEC team’s agenda.
  • Design and manage research and lead policy papers to completion as USIP publications in consultation with CEC Director.
  • Organize an internal USIP community of practice on climate, environment, and conflict, bringing together USIP stakeholders to learn about and discuss relevant research and policy, exchange updates, and share ideas about programming or research.
  • Stay up to date on new research and programs as they relate to the intersection of climate and environment issues, and conflict, fragility, and peacebuilding.

Public Outreach:

  • Attend and participate in various conferences, events, and other programs to speak on behalf of USIP on a specific subject matter area of expertise. 
  • Write commentary and analysis pieces for USIP’s website on policy-relevant topics, often co-authored with others on the CEC team, USIP experts, or outside partners.
  • Organize conferences, meetings, and workshops designed to draw on USIP's convening power to enable exchanges of knowledge and policy options.
  • Build strategic partnerships and cultivate contacts with subject matter experts and a wide variety of external organizations including U.S. Government agencies, local think tanks, and international organizations to leverage resources and combine efforts to promote USIP program initiatives and goals.
  • Provide briefings to governmental or other organizations on key subject matter area.

Financial Management:

  • Support the Director on strategic planning, budgeting, communications, and program management on key themes under the PO’s portfolio.
  • Oversee the management of a thematic budget to ensure that the program is operating within its budget limitations in order to meet its goals and objectives. 
  • Pursue external funding for project initiatives.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in a related field is required.
  • A minimum of five (5) years (or three (3) years with Ph.D.) of work experience in climate or environmental studies, conflict/peace studies, international development, or related social science discipline is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously, creatively problem-solve, prioritize effectively, and produce results under conditions of uncertainty.
  • Demonstrated program design and project management skills.
  • Excellent research, analytic, and writing skills and knowledge of climate and environmental issues, including the ability to translate research results into policy and practice.
  • A record of innovation, collaboration, project management, and partnership building.
  • Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including cross-cultural skills, and the ability to engage effectively with partners at all political, social, and economic levels;
  • Willingness to travel internationally.
  • Must have the ability to design and manage budgets.
  • Must have excellent interpersonal skills. 
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently or within a team, to obtain results under pressure, and to simultaneously oversee many substantive and operational initiatives.

All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.

As with many organizations, USIP follows specific guidelines related to COVID vaccinations.  These guidelines align with the latest findings from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  The overall intent is to ensure the safest possible workplace for USIP employees and contractors.  In accordance with the guidelines, all USIP employees and contractors with building access are required to be fully vaccinated regardless of telework or remote status. 

Upon acceptance of the position, you are required to submit proof of vaccination along with your signed offer letter to HR.  If you require an exemption, either medical or religious, we will provide you with the exemption form for you to complete prior to your start date.

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

For questions about this position please email recruitment@usip.org. Do not send resumes or attachments to this email address.

Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted. 

No Phone Calls. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment only.