National War College Alumni Association

Position Summary

The Center on International Cooperation (CIC) seeks a Program Officer (Researcher) for its Crisis Prevention and Peacebuilding program to conduct policy research on the peace and security activities of the United Nations and support intergovernmental deliberations at the United Nations on the New Agenda for Peace. 

Organizational Summary

For more than two decades, the Center on International Cooperation (CIC) has been a leader in applied policy that links politics, security, justice, development, and humanitarian issues. Our aspiration is to find ways to advance multilateral action to prevent crises and to promote peace, justice, and inclusion. We believe that a strengthened multilateral order is one where there is closer cooperation at country level between entities like the UN and the IFIs, and where there are integrated approaches to prevention that break down silos between fields and entities.  In practice, this approach relies on practical ideas generation, the ability to translate research into feasible recommendations for a senior policy audience, and close diplomatic work with key partners in public and private convening.

The Crisis Prevention and Peacebuilding program supports efforts to strengthen the humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus for countries in crisis, to operationalize nationally led violence prevention strategies, and to advance the reform of United Nations peace operations.

CIC, as part of NYU, is an applied policy research center that specializes in analysis and idea generation that is practical, principled, and policy-relevant, at the heart of a leading research university that spans the globe. We seek researchers and policy experts of the highest caliber, who embody the diversity of the global society in which we live. We strongly encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, and other individuals who are under-represented in the profession, across color, creed, race, ethnic and national origin, physical ability, gender and sexual identity, or any other legally protected basis.

Position Responsibilities

• Contribute, independently and in collaboration with senior staff, to all phases of the research process (design, execution, analysis, and writing), on prevention and on broader United Nations peace and security activities, as outlined in CIC's Business Plan.
• Contribute and support program directors, associate directors, senior program officers, and others to work with UN entities, member states, civil society, and others to identify and develop innovative approaches to research program implementation.
• Outreach to and collaboration with representatives of UN Member States, through events, meetings, briefings, and other actions.
• Write practical, policy-oriented publications that are concise and polished in quick turnaround times.
• Support program directors and associate directors to manage research grants, donor relations, project staff, and consultants, including in grant reporting and proposal writing.
• The program officer reports to the Program Director.

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $67,275 to $90,000. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) the specific grant funding and the terms of the research grant when extending an offer.  

Required Education

• MA or MPhil, MPA, or MPP degree with minimum 5 years of relevant experience. Experience in lieu of education may be considered.

Required Experience

• 5 years of relevant experience in international relations, including at least one year of experience on intergovernmental processes at the United Nations.
• Experience with relevant research and practice in prevention (e.g., conflict, atrocity, crime, or violent extremism) and at least one of the following areas of United Nations work in peace and security: mediation and preventative diplomacy, peacebuilding, peacekeeping, disarmament, counterterrorism, rule of law, sexual violence in conflict, and children in armed conflict.
• Experience in planning, scheduling, and organizing meetings.
• Experience drafting and preparing correspondence including briefing notes and records of meetings.
• Experience providing support to senior managers/directors and high-level officials.
• Experience conducting research, including literature reviews and interviews with a diverse range of individuals.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven ability to prioritize a wide range of assignments and consistently deliver at a high level of quality in high pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also being able to perform under minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• High degree of initiative, reliability, and resourcefulness.
• Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills, along with discretion in dealing with confidential information.
• Good understanding of protocol working with UN senior officials, ambassadors, and senior government officials.
• Proficiency in office technology, including Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Dropbox.

 Preferred Experience

• Experience working in the United Nations Secretariat, either at Headquarters or in the field.
• Experience managing relations with high level government counterparts and multilateral interlocutors as well as civil society.
• Experience working in a permanent mission to the United Nations.
• Experience with United Nations reform processes.

 Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities  

• Interest, and preferably experience, with CIC's research portfolio.
• Ability to manage and analyze small and medium-sized datasets.
• Fluency in another UN language strongly preferred. Other non-UN languages considered an asset.
• A professional attitude, a team-player, working respectfully and productively with colleagues, with a positive approach and a growth mindset.

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NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.

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