Director of Policy and Programs

Position description

Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace, & Security seeks to promote a more stable, peaceful, and just world by focusing on the important role women play in preventing conflict and building peace, growing economies, and addressing global threats like climate change and violent extremism. We engage in rigorous research, host global convenings, advance strategic partnerships, and nurture the next generation of leaders. Housed within the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown, the Institute is headed by the former U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer.

The Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace, and Security (GIWPS) is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Director of Policy and Programs to advance its mission of centering women in all global policy and debates on peace and security. The Director of Policy and Programs will supervise the GIWPS Policy Team and lead the strategic development and execution of the Institute’s policy advocacy strategy, which will involve using strategic outreach to shape the policy of governments and multilateral institutions, collaborating with frontline peacebuilders and connecting them with global decision-makers, and hosting high-level convenings to shift the conversation. Additionally, they will collaborate closely with the Director of Research and Director of External Affairs to ensure synergies across teams and advance an Institute-wide strategy. Duties include but are not limited to:

• In close collaboration with the Institute’s Executive Director, direct and lead the Institute’s vision and strategy to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda across country-specific portfolios and wider thematic priorities.
• Design, convene, and lead engagements with global leaders and frontline peacebuilders in conflict affected and fragile states with an eye towards crafting policy recommendations directed at decision makers and other leaders, shifting options and highlighting under-appreciated impact and leadership.
• Help lead the Institute’s strategy and programmatic priorities relating to the 25th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 (October 2025).
• In collaboration with others, translate research into policy-relevant talking points and other documents, and develop an advocacy strategy to disseminate new research to policymakers.
• Supervise the Policy team, composed of staff, consultants, and students.
• Manage and implement a substantial budget, liaising with current and potential funders to report on programmatic activities and impact, and to seek new funding.
• Represent the Institute in public and private settings with government officials, NGOs, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Build and nurture relationships with governments, multilateral organizations, civil society, and women leaders globally to ensure women’s influence in peace negotiations, and relief, recovery, and reconstruction efforts.
• Track, monitor, assess, and evaluate the impact of the Institute’s outreach and engagement to advance UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions.

Work Interactions

This position reports to the GIWPS Executive Director. The position leads a team and supervises the Policy Associate, Climate Policy Associate, MENA Policy Officer, Afghanistan Policy Officer, and related Student Assistants.

Requirements and Qualifications

• At least 10 years of experience helping design and realize efforts to influence policies and views on relevant global affairs issues
• Master’s degree in a related field
• Professional knowledge and experience working in the international affairs field and/or with governments, diplomatic missions, or multilateral organizations on issues related to human rights, women’s rights, democracy promotion, conflict resolution, atrocity prevention, and/or state fragility; Familiarity with international laws, treaties and accountability mechanisms preferred
• Experience convening leaders in civil society, government, and local communities; Experience working with high-level political and diplomatic leaders strongly preferred
• Supervisory experience, preferably leading teams, and a track record of working collaboratively to generate impact
• Ability to use independent judgment, and manage and impart information in an accurate, persuasive, concise, and professional manner
• Project management experience including staffing, budgeting, performance measurement, and ensuring quality and timely deliverables
• Strong writing, analytical, and communications skills
• Solid interpersonal and relationship management skills, and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community
• Well organized and experienced managing multiple projects at once and competing demands
• Ability to remain calm, work under pressure, and exhibit sound judgment in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail and deadlines, and consideration and care of others, including Georgetown colleagues and external partners
• An ideal candidate will have a strong track record of shaping policy, familiarity with Women, Peace and Security policy and debates, experience in managing multiple people, programs and grants, and a collaborative and can-do spirit

Application instructions

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