Program Specialist (USAID/CPS) - CVP Women, Peace, and Security

Job Description

The Center for Conflict and Violence Prevention (CVP) leads USAID’s efforts to identify and analyze sources of conflict. The Center supports USAID early responses to address the causes and consequences of fragility, conflict, and violence. The Center also integrates conflict sensitivity and peacebuilding approaches into policies, analyses, strategies, and programs. As a result, CVP advances USAID programs that prevent conflict and atrocities before they spread; enhances partner countries’ peace operations, training, and deployment capabilities; and helps address countries’ governance challenges that are often the root cause of conflict.

To achieve these aims, CVP:
1. Leads Agency research and analysis on the causes and consequences of fragility, conflict, and violence to inform U.S. Government policy, Agency strategy, and mission programming.
2. Provides support, counsel, and resources to missions and embassies worldwide in the design and implementation of strategies, programs, and assessments.
3. Develops and delivers highly effective training that builds USAID and USG expertise in peacebuilding, conflict sensitivity, and mitigating risks of violence.
4. Manages awards and projects, including the People-to-People Reconciliation Program; Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Incentive Fund; and the Complex Crises Fund.

As a member of the Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization (CPS)/CVP Program and Operations Support Division (POSD), the WPS Program Specialist will be a member of the Funds Team and support the management of the WPS Incentive Fund. WPS Incentive Fund activities supports USAID’s efforts to strengthen the prospects for peace and security through the empowerment and protection of women and girls in countries affected by crisis, conflict, insecurity, environmental stressors or political transitions. The Program Specialist will work alongside the Funds Team Lead managing the WPS Incentive Fund.

The individual will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including but not limited to conducting analysis, monitoring WPS Incentive Fund activity implementation, assisting with the development of program and portfolio-level documents, ensuring data quality of WPS Incentive Fund activities, and managing Interagency reviews and clearances of key WPS Incentive Fund documents and actions. These tasks will be executed in collaboration with CVP staff, including the Funds Team Lead; Communications specialist; Knowledge Management specialist; Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning specialists; the Center’s Leadership and Learning and Field Partnerships divisions, and the CPS Bureau Program Office.

This position serves as an integral part of CPS’ Conflict Violence Prevention team. As a member of POSD, the WPS program specialist will support the management of the WPS Fund under the direction of CVP’s POSD leadership. The WPS program specialist will ensure that CVP’s role in the management of WPS is elevated at CPS and within other bureaus. The specialist will be responsible for ensuring that WPS incentive funds are used for purposes that are most suitable for the funds and in line with congressional and interagency intent.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Work Schedule: Full-time (In person)

Salary Range: Starting at $86,000

Clearance: Ability to obtain a secret clearance

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the management of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Incentive Fund, providing activity oversight and technical guidance.
• Collect and analyze information from regional and technical bureaus at USAID, Department of State, Department of Defense, other USG Government agencies, USAID Missions, and implementing partners related to WPS programming.
• Work collaboratively with the WPS policy team and the CPS Program Office.
• Analyze diverse programmatic information and recommend solutions.
• Draft and monitor the clearance process for WPS Incentive Fund-related documents, including country recommendations and activity approvals.
• Seek opportunities to integrate WPS principles into other USAID-managed funds or programming and lead integration initiatives.
• Support the development of partnerships and collaborate with representatives of international and non-governmental organizations related to USAID’s WPS Incentive Funds.
• Assist in the review of acquisition and assistance documents, including strategic planning, solicitations, scopes of work, budgets, and knowledge management.
• Provide expert WPS and gender equality technical expertise and guidance to USAID Missions implementing WPS Incentive Fund activities.
• Analyze WPS Incentive Fund-related legislation, regulations, and implementation to improve fund management.
• Generate and disseminate learning, organize and facilitate opportunities to share lessons learned and best practices, and adapt WPS programming.
• Work independently and within USAID on monitoring and evaluation (M&E), environmental compliance, communications, WPS Act congressional reporting, and other legislative affairs-related actions for the WPS Incentive Fund.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field, such as international development/affairs, political science, regional studies, or public administration.
• Technical knowledge related to gender equality, women empowerment, or women, peace, and security, and programming in international development work.
• Three (3) years’ experience working on/for civil society organizations, international development, foreign policy, academia, or other relevant programs in USG Agencies and Departments
• Strong proficiency in the use of Google applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work diplomatically and collaboratively, build consensus, and bridge diverse perspectives and interests.
• Ability to prioritize work assignments and handle multiple tasks with strong organizational skills.
• Excellent facilitation and communication skills.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret-level security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a related field, such as international development/affairs, political science, regional studies, or public administration.
• Five (5) years’ experience working on/for civil society organizations, international development, foreign policy, academia, or other relevant programs in USG Agencies and Departments
• Experience in one or more of the following: monitoring and evaluation, communities of practice, stakeholder engagement, organizational development, budget formulation, and field research.
• Knowledge of U.S.Government administrative policies and procedures.
• Hold an existing U.S. Secret-level (or above) security clearance.

About the Organization

ZemiTek, LLC is a Woman-Owned, SBA-certified 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) based in the Washington, DC metro area. We have a strong record delivering innovative and high-quality solutions. Since 2007, ZemiTek has provided technical assistance, project management, information technology (IT), knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, training and learning development, and institutional support services.

ZemiTek is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law.

ZemiTek embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to build and maintain a safe environment where we celebrate diverse backgrounds, treat everyone with respect, and value the unique lived experiences each person brings based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, age, marital status or family status and related conditions.