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 Senior International Security Officer (SISO) is to serve as a technical expert in all matters related to safety and security, developing security plans, policies, and guidance to USIP Headquarters (HQ), overseas based staff, and posts on security policies, procedures, training, the implementation, and compliance with USIP safety and security support systems. The SISO will regularly be assigned to conduct temporary duty (TDY) assignments and/or provide coverage in any of the USIP countries of operation. The Senior International Security Officer position is based in Washington, DC, will report to the Chief Security Officer, and is a member of the Global Security and Travel Division.

TARGET SALARY

Grade 14 - $132,368

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

Strategy :

• Develop, implement, and conduct compliance audits of division-specific and institute wide security policies, procedures, and resources.
• Represent the office on inter-office and inter-agency working groups.
• Regularly coordinate with other governmental, NGO, and private sector security agencies to leverage support and enhance communication to further strengthen the agency’s security systems and practices and will be engaged in overseas emergency preparedness planning, testing and response.
• Research, develop, and evaluate policy proposals for consistency with agency need and field practice.
• Design, prepare, and facilitate the training of trainer events, regional trainings, conferences and workshops on both general and country-specific safety and security matters.

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E):

• Routinely assess the operational security environment overseas.
• Routinely assess/audit USIP safety and security plans.
• Utilize multiple information channels to gather information pertinent to current events and emerging trends.
• Generate reports, after-action reviews and/or other reports and analysis as directed by senior leadership.
• Utilize and assess open-source intelligence platforms (OSNIT) to support and enhance overseas safety and security efforts.

Operations:

• Travel as needed to USIP Countries of Operation to support security efforts.
• Lead or facilitate training and exercises to assess Agency’s response systems.
• As needed in crisis situations, travel to posts for support and take a leadership role in the crisis response and recovery, may include the death of a staff member.
• Serve on the Crisis Management Team.
• Manage and monitor security statuses of international travelers and overseas stationed staff to include: responding to critical incidents, alerting necessary personnel, responding to travelers in distress, and maintaining constant situational awareness of where staff and contractors are located.
• Brief/Debrief travelers on key security risks and threats prior to/after their departure.
• Manage the Institute Staff overseas tracking and location program.

Design and Management :

• Develop innovative activities that enhance USIP’s abilities to exercise its Duty of Care doctrine for all employees and appropriate contractors.
• Manage the scope, time, cost, and quality of all overseas safety & security initiatives.

Administrative:

• Provide administrative and logistic support for the safety and security training of staff.
• Manage contracts with training and security vendors.
• Assist with management and monitoring of the annual budget, including processing of requisitions, orders, invoices, receipts, and contracts.
• Track incident reporting and maintain records of critical incidents in the field.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with preferred study in political science, international relations or related area or equivalent work experience.
• Nine (9)+ years’ relevant work experience required to include work in conflict areas.
• Experience in the deployment, installation, and troubleshooting of GPS tracking devices for vehicles and persons to include the development of policies, procedures, and training materials.
• Experience using and evaluating open-source intelligence platforms.
• Experience managing security/risk for a large team, organization, or office (service or training on Crisis Management Teams a plus).
• Experience managing security/safety/health issues for a regional or global workforce.
• Experience as a trainer for adult-learners in the public safety/health/protection field or other training experience.
• Advanced knowledge of risk management and risk analysis.
• Advanced knowledge of organizational security standards and practices for public facilities and familiarity with security practices for high threat environments desirable.
• Advanced knowledge of global geography and country-specific characteristics relevant to safety and security.
• Ability to travel and work for short periods of time in designated high-risk environments.
• Advanced knowledge of security and personal protection training requirements for field work in high-risk environments (former military, Peace Corps, humanitarian, first responder, public safety officer, or law enforcement a plus).
• Capacity to rapidly analyze emerging on-the-ground scenarios from a lens of security and risk management to make assessments on traveler security.
• Ability to work alone or as a team on stressful issues, as well as coordinate personnel/resources rapidly from a wide variety of sources to solve complex security problems.
• Excellent online research skills.
• Skills in written analysis and report preparation.
• Familiarity with MS Office applications.
• Experience working or traveling in designated conflict zones.
• Fluency in written and verbal English.
• Proficiency in one or more foreign languages a plus.

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 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.