MIDDLE EAST PROGRAM DIRECTOR Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. SCHA-25-01-MEP-RCS Department Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Salary $163,964.00 to $191,900.00 Grade 15 to 15
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 11/6/2024 Close Date 11/19/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The position of Middle East Program Director is a senior staff position at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars with both academic and administrative responsibilities.

This position is advertised under OPM Schedule A 213.3175

Duties

The Middle East Program, (MEP) performs two broad functions for the overall Wilson Center mission. First, it encourages policy-relevant scholarship and brings together key stakeholders from policy, academia, the media, business, and civil society together to address the most pressing political, social, and economic issues affecting the Middle East and the impact on U.S. policies and relations. MEP accomplishes this through seminars, workshops, and briefings featuring prominent scholars and policymakers from America, and beyond. Director must have language fluency, spoken and written, in a regional language. Those languages are Arabic, Hebrew, and/or Farsi.

Middle East Program Director will perform the following and other related duties: 

  • Builds the Middle East Program team into a smooth unit that manages administrative responsibilities, and advances Middle East Program viewpoints in Center-wide programming. Manages and trains an active, engaged, and diverse staff to further the work of the Middle East Program. Supervises staff members to ensure excellence of performance in accordance with all Wilson Center regulations and practices.
  • Oversees the Middle East Program teams ongoing research, writing, media commentary, and outreach to key policy audiences on contemporary and historical developments in Middle East Program and U.S. relations with the Middle East Region.
  • Crafts and implements a strategic plan in line with Center priorities that positions Middle East Program as a leading center for knowledge and policy ideas related to U.S. and Middle East region relations.
  • Helps build knowledge and develop new policy ideas regarding Middle East region and delivers those ideas to an ever-growing audience of influencers and policymakers.
  • Coordinates activities with the External Relations team to boost the audience for both the Middle East Program and Wilson Center audiences.
  • Works with the Development team, to craft and help lead implementation of a fundraising plan that pursues public and private grants, an advisory board, and philanthropic support to solidify Middle East Program finances and also provide for an expanded portfolio of Middle East Program activities. Obtains and is accountable for proper use of grants and donations. Oversees all budget, finance and personnel matters for the office.
  • Works in cooperation with the Scholars and Academic Relations (SOAR) Office to recommend regionally relevant scholars for appointment for periods of residency and/or affiliation with the Center and participates in the administration of an annual international fellowship competition. Suggests potential areas for study and scholarship to the SOAR office. Advises the Center's Director, President & CEO on Public Policy Scholar and selection of peer review panel appointments.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
  • You must complete a background investigation
  • Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
  • You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period
  • You must maintain a bank account for direct deposit
  • All qualification requirements for this position must be met by the closing date of this announcement 

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, you must meet the Basic Requirement, Selective Placement Factor, (SPF), have documented experience of meeting the required Appointment Criteria, specialized experience and the Key Core Competencies which will demonstrate your ability to perform the major responsibilities of the position.

Basic Requirement:

Degree: behavioral or social science; or related disciplines appropriate to the position/or

Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field/or

Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Selective Placement Factor:

qualified candidate must have language fluency, both spoken and written, in a regional language. Those languages are Arabic, Hebrew, and/or Farsi.

Appointment Criteria:

  • Demonstrated subject-area mastery of a particular discipline, area study, or related field (i.e., political science, international relations, environment, law, history, etc.) related to public policies related to the Middle East Region and U.S.-Middle East policy.
  • Ability to provide strategic leadership and management of the program, including strategic planning, supervision of program staff, and organization of high-impact public and private programming.
  • Entrepreneurial and resource-management ability, including experience raising funds from donors for program purposes.

Specialized Experience:

Qualified applicants must have previous experience that demonstrates entrepreneurial, managerial, and administrative ability to direct a major program designed to bring cutting edge scholarship to focus on public policy issues related to the Middle East Region and U.S.-Middle East policy; experience in planning, supervising, evaluating, and coordinating the work of others; documented record of publications and media presence as an expert on related issues; skill making effective oral presentations; proven ability to establish and maintain good working relationships and to work effectively as part of a team; and administrative and interpersonal skills sufficient to direct, organize, coordinate, and accomplish the overall mission.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume/submitted information does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

For more information on the qualifications for this position, Link to OPM Qualifications Standards

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must include months, years and hours per week worked to receive credit for your work and/or volunteer experience. One year of specialized experience is equivalent to 12 months at 40 hours per week. Part-time hours are prorated. You will not receive any credit for experience that does not indicate exact hours per week or is listed as "varies".

Additional information

The work is primarily sedentary; although, requires moving around to offices and/or to similar areas for meeting to conduct human resources business. May require standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the worksite.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a typical office setting that is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about Federal Benefits

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EEO Statement

Reasonable Accommodations

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on the information that you provide, to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications, appointment criteria and competencies required, as described;

Appointment Criteria:

  • Demonstrated subject-area mastery of a particular discipline, area study, or related field (i.e., political science, international relations, environment, law, history, etc.) related to public policy issues regarding Russia and other successor states to the Middle East Region and U.S.-Middle East policy.
  • Ability to provide strategic leadership and management of the program, including strategic planning, supervision of program staff, and organization of high-impact public and private programming
  • Entrepreneurial and resource-management ability, including experience raising funds from donors for program purposes.

Core Competencies: 

  • Strategic Thinking – Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization in a global environment. Capitalizes on opportunities and manages risks.
  • Entrepreneurship – Positions the office and organization for future success by identifying new opportunities. Advances the organization by developing or improving products or services. Takes calculated risks to accomplish organizational objectives.
  • Creativity and Innovation – Develops new insights into situations. Questions conventional approaches. Encourages new ideas and innovations. Designs and implements new or innovative programs/processes.
  • Public Policy Understanding - Identifies the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization. Perceives organizational and political reality and acts accordingly. Ensures ideological balance and inclusiveness of diverse points of view in Center products.
  • Partnering - Develops networks and builds alliances. Collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
  • Human Capital Management – Builds and manages a workplace where diversity and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
  • Financial Management – Understands the organization’s financial processes. Prepares, justifies, and administers the program budget. Oversees procurement and contracting to achieve desired results. Monitors expenditure and uses cost-benefit thinking to set priorities.
  • Oral and Written Communication – makes clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals and groups. Listens attentively and engages effectively to present and/or clarify information as needed. Facilitates open communications. Writes effectively for a policy audience.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Note: Failure to submit a resume or supporting documentation may result in elimination for further consideration.

The following documents are required and must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement.

1. Résumé/CV, which includes a list of all significant jobs held and duties performed, with dates specified in month and year format, and indicate hours worked per week. If military or civilian, please include your rank and/or grade.
2. A complete Occupational Questionnaire (which includes narrative responses)

Do not submit photographs with your application package. Documents with photographs may not be seen by hiring officials - you must remove your image from any badges, licenses, etc.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

Click the Submit My Answers

Agency contact information

Wilson Center HR
Phone
000-000-0000
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
HRjobs@wilsoncenter.org
Address
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20004
United States
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Next steps

After the vacancy announcement closes, applicants are evaluated to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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