Deputy Director, Peace, Justice and Security (PJS), Washington DC

Deputy Director, Peace, Justice and Security (PJS), Washington DC

Job Description  

About PADF 

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger—more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For nearly 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.   

Position Overview
The Deputy Director of Peace, Justice, and Security (DDPJS) is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the strategic development and oversight of the PJS thematic area. Working in partnership with the PJS Director, the DDPJS develops and supports the hemispheric Peace, Justice, & Security (PJS) Thematic Area at PADF. With a focus on building partnerships and ensuring program quality, the DDPJS brings strategic thinking and operational leadership to drive the success and impact of the PJS initiatives. The DDPJS supports and ensures PJS new business development and growth. Reporting to the PJS Director, the Deputy Director oversees a number of technical staff and projects. The DD actively supports the defining and delivering of PADF’s external communication positions on PJS. This leadership position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of PADF's PJS thematic area, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and make a tangible difference in the Americas.

Key Responsibilities

In partnership with the PJS Director, the DDPJS main responsibilities are:

• Technical Leadership. Contribute to develop and maintain a coherent strategic vision and direction for the PJS thematic area. Build relevant technical partnerships. Develop and contribute to the implementation of a comprehensive PADF PJS learning agenda, leveraging technical evidence and best practices. Provide proactive technical leadership in all PJS projects, across all PADF project directors. Ensure technical learning is both regularly documented and shared internally, within and also beyond the PJS team and community of practice. Actively support the PJS community of practice. Document and communicate PJS results and learning internally and externally. Manage the PJS partnerships with universities and think tanks, private sector entities, local organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), International NGOs (INGOs), and governments. Represent PADF at strategic meetings and events in close coordination with the PJS Director.
  • Collecting the technical (vs donor) data and evidence quarterly or annually—or ensuring it gets done [projects where technical leader is not project director, project directors must make information available to technical leaders on a quarterly basis].
  • Documenting the evidence and interventions quarterly or annually—or ensuring it gets done [projects where technical leader is not project director; project directors must make information available to technical leaders].
  • Reviewing and analyzing what works and doesn’t work with project teams annually—or ensuring it gets done [projects where technical leader is not project director; project directors must make information available to technical leaders and ensure these review meetings occur in a timely manner at least annually]
  • Ensuring quality technical audits and reviews. Whether internally or donor-driven, ensure technical audits or reviews occur at least annually and at least once per project. [projects where technical leader is not project director; project directors must work with technical leaders to ensure these occur, or escalate in a timely fashion to the CPO]
  • Sharing the technical data, analyses, and learning with both technical and country and project teams at least annually. Ensuring data is available to all relevant staff (as appropriate depending on security and sensitivity settings).
• Operational Leadership. Supports the coordination of PJS projects and programs, ensuring delivery of results, metrics, and operational quality, aligned with all relevant donor, legal, and PADF policies and procedures. Provide guidance to project teams regarding tools and strategies to ensure that programming is based on input from communities, a thorough understanding of the context, and technical best practices. Manage PJS staff and help foster the development of future PJS leaders.
• New Business Development. Establish and strengthen productive relationships with relevant organizations and networks, technical experts, government agencies, and donors. Actively engage with donors, partner agencies, and local organizations to ensure PADF is strongly represented in coordination and advocacy efforts. Engage regularly with public and private donor agencies, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, partner organizations, and foreign governments. Support, and deliver the communication strategy and priorities for the PJS thematic area. Sponsor and lead technical proposals, working closely with all internal and external stakeholders. Provide timely technical data and evidence, possible interventions, and technical feedback on proposals led by other technical directors or deputies.
• Cross Functional Collaboration. Across all their responsibilities, the DDPJS will work closely with operational support departments to ensure systems are regularly reviewed and in place to support performance, compliance, and strategic growth.
  • Foster Talent. Work with Talent Management and other relevant PADF leaders to identify and implement recruitment and retention strategies that attract and retain top talent aligned with PADF's mission and values.
  • Build Strong Internal Relationships. Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions. Collaborate with colleagues from different departments and thematic areas within PADF to facilitate cross-functional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and synergies.
  • Promote PADF Values. Model and encourage active practice of PADF’s Guiding Principles including HEART values (Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork), and ONE PADF.

Key Competencies

• Strategic and critical thinking. Ability to think strategically about the technical area’s vision and direction within the broader development context. Ability to think critically about the application of learning, research, and evidence.
• Operational Leadership. Ability to manage large, complex projects and staff effectively and efficiently. Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes. Strong leadership, motivational, and team-building skills, and ability to successfully support team cohesion and collaboration in a high-pressure and fluid environment.
• New Business Development. Ability to foresee, sponsor, lead, and win large, complex, technical proposals.

Personal Characteristics

• Visionary. Creative, mission-driven, entrepreneurial leader.
• Team builder. Consensus-seeker committed to principles of diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.
• Results-oriented. Committed to impact and results.

Required Experience

• Master’s degree in law, political science, Law Enforcement/Policing, International Relations (Security) or related field.
• Fluency in English and Spanish is a must and French and/or Portuguese is a plus.
• Minimum ten years of management experience working in an international development setting in the Americas with a minimum of seven years of program management experience demonstrating successful leadership and implementation of complex initiatives.
• Proven experience in engaging with protection principles, law enforcement, community policing, and partnerships with local governments and organizations.
• Experience managing programs financed by U.S. government agencies, EU, foundations, and private donors.
• Familiarity with the challenges and dynamics related to peace, justice, and security in the Americas region.
• Successful leadership experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, including active mentoring and coaching.
•  Technical Ex Demonstrated ability to lead and win large and complex technical proposals, contributing to the growth and expansion of program portfolios.

More About PADF 

PADF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1962. www.padf.org 

PADF’s core values. “H-E-A-R-T” = Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork. 

Diversity. PADF is strong because we are diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. PADF does not discriminate based on ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of cultures, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, and perspectives on the world.  

PADF is an Equal Opportunity Employer