Deadline: September 3, 2024
The Kennan Institute 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 Russia, the former Soviet Union and the impact on U.S. policies and relations. Kennan Institute accomplishes this through seminars, workshops, and briefings featuring prominent scholars and policymakers from America, and beyond.
Kennan Institute Director will perform the following and other related duties:
- Builds the Kennan Institute team into a smooth unit that manages administrative responsibilities, and advances Kennan Institute viewpoints in Center-wide programming. Manages and trains an active, engaged, and diverse staff to further the work of the Kennan Institute. Supervises staff members to ensure excellence of performance in accordance with all Wilson Center regulations and practices.
- Oversees the Kennan Institute team’s ongoing research, writing, media commentary, and outreach to key policy audiences on contemporary and historical developments in Kennan Institute and U.S. relations with Russia and the former Soviet Union.
- Crafts and implements a strategic plan in line with Center priorities that positions Kennan Institute as a leading center for knowledge and policy ideas related to U.S. – Russia and the former Soviet Union relations.
- Helps build knowledge and develop new policy ideas regarding Russia and the former Soviet Union 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 Kennan Institute 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 Kennan Institute finances and also provide for an expanded portfolio of Kennan Institute 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, 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.
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 Russia and other successor states to the Soviet Union and U.S.-Russian 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 Russia and other successor states to the Soviet Union and U.S.-Russian 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”.