Senior Project Director, El Salvador

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. 

Overview

The Fostering Citizen Support for the Rule of Law project will work over three years to empower youth, civic, business, and religious leaders to work with local authorities in three municipalities in El Salvador suffering from high rates of crime, social exclusion, and mistrust.  The overall objective is to increase public support for the rule of law by building stakeholder networks, facilitating dialogues between citizens and authorities, engaging the public on rule of law issues, and equipping local youth with peacebuilding and leadership skills.

In each municipality, USIP will conduct research and consultations to assess social, economic, and conflict dynamics and identify key civil society and government stakeholders. It will build a network in support of the rule of law by organizing workshops and exchanges and by funding local civil society projects that promote the rule of law. The Institute will also facilitate dialogues between civil society stakeholders and municipal authorities to build trust, share information, and solve problems collaboratively. In parallel with these activities, USIP will train youth leaders to work for positive change.

Summary

The El SalvadorProject Director will be based in San Salvador and will provide overall management for USIP’s three-year project, Fostering Citizen Support for the Rule of Law in El Salvador.

In coordination with the DC-based Program Officer, the Project Director will lead the implementation of the project, including initial consultations and identification of municipalities, the establishment and maintenance of local and national contacts and partnerships, development and supervision of in-country activities, and consistent reporting and communication with INL. The Director will lead a team of 7 people in El Salvador, as well as manage oversight of various contractors, Monitoring and Evaluation consultants, researchers, and facilitators based in San Salvador, selected municipalities, and overseas.

The Senior Project Director will be based in San Salvador, El Salvador, and will report to the Vice President, Latin America Center in USIP’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

This is a full time Host Country National Personal Services Contractor position based in San Salvador, El Salvador with some regional and international travel required.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Program Development and Implementation:

• In conjunction with DC-based staff, startup programs, set up office, and hire team.
• Identify strategic partnerships, allies, and contractors that are aligned with the program.
• Provide leadership and vision; provide oversight of all program implementation.
• Help identify capable and accountable local civil society organizations to work with for project implementation.
• Ensure project implementation remains on track.
• Provide oversight to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation processes and document program learning.
• Facilitate effective communications with INL and Washington offices regarding program activities.

Representation and Communication:

• Liaise with relevant officials of the US embassy, the Government of El Salvador, other embassies and as well as with a diverse range of civil society organizations, academic institutions, the media, and local community leaders and groups.
• Effectively disseminate information about program activities and findings through briefings of key stakeholders and participation in and convening of related activities and events.
• Manage relationship with INL counterparts, including communicating work that is currently being supported.

Budget Management:

• Work closely with USIP’s Latin America Center team in Washington to ensure that USIP financial policies and procurement procedures.
• Manage program budget including burn rate and ensure that budget is used and tracked in an effective and accountable manner.
• Ensure that both financial reporting and narrative progress reports are timely and informative.

Operations/Office Management:

• Manage operations, and provide effective managerial, administrative and logistical support for the successful implementation of project, including supervising local staff.
• Help secure office space; hire local staff in conjunction with DC-based team.
• Assist HQ in the development of appropriate security guidelines for project.
• Oversee security of staff and facilities, including assessing and managing risk on a day-to-day basis.
• Help facilitate the process of developing in-country representation, including legal and financial status.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, conflict resolution, peace studies or related field;
• Master’s degree with eight (8) years of relevant professional work experience preferred.
• Expertise in at least two of the following areas: citizen security, security sector reform, peacebuilding, youth, dialogue processes, rule of law.
• Experience working closely with local communities and community-based organizations in El Salvador;
• Deep understanding of current context and broad range of connections from local to national level.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and project implementation, financial oversight, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation;
• Ability to work closely with the Government of El Salvador at the national and local levels.
• Strong interest in innovative and adaptive programming;
• Proven ability to work independently and effectively, as well as work well as part of a team;
• Must have strong collaboration skills; must have the ability to coordinate the input and priorities of multiple players;
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and the proven ability to lead and motivate others;
• Must have the ability to be flexible, think strategically, and to effectively develop, communicate, and execute plans;
• Willingness to travel to municipalities in El Salvador and to Washington DC as required;
• Previous experience working with US-government grants a plus.
• Written and spoken proficiency in English and Spanish is required.

***PLEASE NOTE*** This position is an advertisement to identify interested qualified Senior Project Director talent to accommodate near future business needs.

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.