Job Title: Programs Manager

Reports to: Vice President for Research and Innovation & Senior Programs Manager

Type: Regular Full-Time

Overview:

The Fund for Peace (FFP) seeks a dynamic, motivated, and collaborative individual to join its Washington, D.C.-based team as a Programs Manager in support of FFP’s programs. The role will encompass both overall programmatic management responsibilities and leading the application of technology tools.  Applicants should have experience with managing a diverse portfolio of programs and projects, as well as be able to provide critical technical leadership to several of FFP’s early warning and response, resilience, and state fragility programs. Necessary fluency in software programs including Tableau, Python and advanced Microsoft Excel functions for quantitative data analytics and data visualization is required for the position. A background or familiarity with risk analysis, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, or development programming is required. The role will further entail supervising junior staff, supporting business development, and providing backstopping support to the Senior Programs Manager, Programs Director, and Vice President for Research and Innovation. Candidates who are chosen for the interview process may be asked to provide an example of a program or application they have coded.

This position will be remote through September 2022; FFP may move to a hybrid working schedule thereafter dependent on trends in COVID-19.  There is also the potential for travel to specific FFP program locations, including West Africa.

Essential Duties, Tasks, and Responsibilities

50% Program Management, Research, Business Development, and Planning:

  • Perform program management functions as required, including liaising with FFP staff based in the field and local partners based in focus countries and coordinate staff to ensure fidelity to budgets, workflows, and deliverables.
  • Coordinate the planning and delivery of program tasks and activities. Execute required components of established program plans, and deliver assignments in accordance with established timelines. Monitor progress, identify problems and make recommendations to management for necessary adjustments to ensure successful, quality outcomes.
  • Support and oversee research initiatives focusing on fragility, conflict early warning, and political risk analysis. Support business development activities including opportunity identification, drafting proposal components, research/ strategy, and coordinate communications and tasks related to bids and proposals.
  • Build and maintain relationships for FFP with government officials, local organizations, and international organizations in target countries.
  • Represent FFP at internal and external events and disseminate information about FFP’s programs and research findings.
  • Provide expertise on relevant subject matter through briefings of key officials and other relevant actors, publications, and participation in working groups, conferences and roundtable events.
  • Assist in cross-functional initiatives as needed.

50% Technical Support and Innovation:

  • Apply and update Python scripts for data processing and integration.
  • Create interactive dashboards (maps, charts, graphs) for various contextual risk and resilience tools.
  • Modeling and simulation for scenario planning and decision support tools.
  • Develop and analyze data indices.
  • Training and guidance notes for interpretation and application of frameworks and tools.

Qualifications

Technical Experience and Qualifications Required:

  • A Master’s Degree is required, peace, conflict resolution, or related field preferred.
  • A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following areas: data collection and analysis; data visualization; conflict prevention programming; risk analysis; security issues; and/or peacebuilding and development.
  • A minimum of three (3) years graduated responsibility in program management.
  • English language proficiency is required; proficiency in a second language, particularly French or Arabic, is an advantage.
  • Advanced Excel skills, including but not limited to:
    • Pivot Tables
    • Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)
    • Compound formulas
    • Function tracing (tracing precedents and dependents)
    • Dropdowns
    • Conditional formatting
  • Basic Python skills, including by not limited to:
    • Data processing and web scraping
    • Familiarity with pandas and NumPy libraries
  • Intermediate Tableau skills, including by not limited to:
    • Mapping (specifically choropleth and proportional symbol maps)
    • Interactive dashboards, including dynamic changing between different views/types of visualization

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders, both internal and external.
  • Excellent representation and communication skills (oral and written), including cross-cultural skills, media skills, and the ability to deal with counterparts at all political, social and economic levels.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate virtually with team members deployed across multiple locations and time zones.
  • Ability and willingness to travel as required, particularly to transitioning environments.
  • U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or the ability to obtain work authorization in the U.S. is required. Costs associated with obtaining work authorization are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Work Environment: Currently, FFP staff work remotely, with this arrangement expected to continue through September 2022, with the possibility of hybrid work thereafter.  Travel-related work may occasionally take place to locations which can be volatile or lack formal infrastructure. Modern amenities (electrical, plumbing, air cooling) may not always be available when deployed in the field.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  Direct management and supervision responsibility may include Programs Associates, Interns, and sub-contractors.

Work Authorization: U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or the ability to obtain work authorization in the U.S. is required. Costs associated with obtaining work authorization are the sole responsibility of the applicant.

Salary range: $50,000-$55,000, commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should send their CV, a list of three professional references, and a personalized cover letter that explains how the position fits with the applicant’s current experience (maximum 3 pages) to: [email protected]. Please use “Programs Manager Job” in the email title when submitting your application package.

For questions about the position or description email [email protected], please no phone calls.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, with a closing date February 18, 2022 @ 11:59pm ET

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.