Job Description
Duties
The Director of Research and Policy supervises and provides management and guidance to the research and policy team in developing USCIRF's annual research and policy plan in compliance with USCIRF's strategic objectives; works with Commissioners and the Executive Director to develop and finalize policy priorities and recommendations; and coordinates the monitoring of religious freedom conditions and related international law issues in countries of interest and the production of research and policy related publications.
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Research and Policy's primary responsibilities include the following:
1. Strategic Planning
- Working closely with the Executive Director to develop USCIRF's general strategy, goals, objectives and priorities to advance freedom of religion or belief abroad. This includes:
- Developing an annual research and policy workplan in compliance with USCIRF's strategic objectives and taking primary responsibility for implementing it;
- Identifying research and policy projects, publications, travel, and other opportunities to support policy priorities and recommendations;
- Efficiently and strategically allocating resources, both personnel and financial, to conduct research and policy projects; and
- Continually evaluating the operation of the research team for on-going effectiveness and impact of USCIRF's research and policy efforts, including evaluating the implementation of USCIRF's policy recommendations.
- Coordinating the monitoring of religious freedom conditions and related international law issues in specific countries and proposing policy priorities and recommendations consistent with USCIRF's mission and strategic objectives. This includes:
- Assigning specific substantive (country) portfolios and special projects to policy analysts and researchers;
- Working with research and policy staff to develop policy priorities and recommendations for the U.S. government to advance freedom of religion or belief abroad, and identify new and emerging policy trends;
- Working with the Executive Director to finalize policy priorities and recommendations and communicate them to the Commissioners;
- Overseeing efforts to track the implementation of USCIRF's policy recommendations and measure their effectiveness;
- Overseeing all reporting efforts, including the Annual Report and all other research publications to advance USCIRF's mission and strategic objectives. This includes providing substantive and stylistic direction to all written products, ensuring they communicate policy priorities and recommendations and international religious freedom (IRF) conditions effectively and persuasively; and
- Assisting with research and policy related outreach initiatives and events to advance policy recommendations to key stakeholders.
- Engaging with relevant stakeholders inside and outside the U.S. government to advance policy recommendations and raise awareness of relevant IRF conditions. This includes:
- Expanding the network of IRF experts and institutions, and developing new and strengthening current working relationships with relevant stakeholders inside and outside the U.S. government; and
- Organizing and attending regular meetings with target groups and other research and policy events to support the advancement of USCIRF's mission.
- Serving as a principal advisor to Commissioners and the Executive Director on IRF issues and supporting them in their efforts to advance USCIRF policy recommendations and to raise awareness of IRF conditions through private briefings, public engagement, and trip delegations.
- Managing the work of the Research and Policy team towards meeting the Commission's mandate, goals, and priorities in a manner that is consistent with the Strategic Plan;
- Managing activities of supervisees and ensuring an inclusive workplace that fosters cooperation and teamwork;
- Implementing the Commission's mandate in a continuously changing environment, consistent with the long-term interests and priorities of the Commission outlined in its Strategic Plan;
- Communicating effectively both internally and externally; and
- Understanding the needs of each function at USCIRF and collaborating and supporting team members on relevant projects.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Desired Qualifications
- Fluency or demonstrated proficiency in a relevant foreign language is a plus but not required.
Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen;
- 12+ years of progressively responsible experience commensurate with the duties outlined above;
- Graduate degree in a relevant field;
- Senior-level experience with demonstrated ability to organize and supervise staff to ensure on time completion of assignments;
- Ability to identify and manage policy, program, and operational priorities;
- Demonstrated research, writing, and editing skills, particularly those applied in a work setting (i.e., not only university coursework);
- Ability to proactively develop, synthesize, and articulate effective and actionable policy recommendations;
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with collegial demeanor; and
- Proven experience using Microsoft Office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Education
Advanced degree.
Additional information
Benefits
USCIRF offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, Federal holidays, life insurance, and medical benefits. Please visit https://www.opm.gov/ for more information on benefits.
Other Information
Selective Service. If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify at the time of appointment that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under Selective Service law.
Reasonable Accommodation. USCIRF provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact USCIRF at jobs@uscirf.gov. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Equal Employment Opportunity. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Benefits
Review our benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
This job is Excepted from the Competitive Civil Service. Applicants will be evaluated and deemed either eligible or ineligible based on the relevance and quality of their experience and education and on the desired qualifications described above.
Pursuant to section 204(c) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended, USCIRF staff members are hired "on the basis of professional and nonpartisan qualifications."
Benefits
Review our benefits
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
- cover letter;
- resume;
- three references; and
- writing sample (no more than five pages).
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 apply, candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a writing sample (no more than five pages) in this order and within a single PDF file via email to: jobs@uscirf.gov.
Applications not provided in a PDF file will not be considered.
No calls pleaseAgency contact information
Thomas Kraemer
Email
jobs@uscirf.gov
Address
US Commission on International Religious Freedom
732 North Capitol Street, NW
Suite A-714
Washington, DC 20401
USNext steps
Applications will be held in strict confidence. After submitting your application for this position, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application materials. USCIRF will contact you if we wish to schedule an interview or if we require additional information or references. Please email all questions about the position to jobs@uscirf.gov.
Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Financial suitability
- Selective Service
- New employee probationary period
- Signature and false statements
- Privacy Act
- Social security number request
Required Documents
- cover letter;
- resume;
- three references; and
- writing sample (no more than five pages).
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.
This job is open to
-
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens
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