Director, PIDP

Overview

The East-West Center (EWC) promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options.

The Center’s 21-acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, includes conference facilities, three residence halls, and an office building that houses research, program, and administrative activities. The Center also has an office in Washington, D.C., that provides accessibility to US, regional government stakeholders, and program partners with innovative training, analytical and dialogue exchange, and public diplomacy products to meet US policy priorities and expressed needs in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) serves as Secretariat for the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders (PICL) and a Council of Regional Organisations of the Pacific (CROP) agency. Our PIDP team is seeking an on-site Director for a limited, one-year appointment (with possibility of extension). This position will be responsible for all programmatic, personnel, outreach, and financial matters for the program.

The incumbent will implement a long-term strategy for PIDP programs and serve as liaison between federal, state and other funding sources, EWC leadership and its Board of Governors, staff members, alumni network, and distinguished guests to provide coordination of its functions and advocacy of its leadership training and capacity development programs.

The Director of PIDP will regularly engage in highly sensitive international communications and activities with elected and traditional leaders, senior officials, governments, and organizations. Thus, the incumbent will have direct access to and some involvement with multilateral activities that are highly sensitive and have geopolitical significance and implications. Confidentiality and privacy are of paramount importance; the incumbent will be held to a high standard of behavior in this regard and must be able to always maintain confidentiality and privacy.

Major Duties

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

• Develop, implement, and execute an up-to-date strategic plan for the program based on research and analysis of the most significant issues and development needs of the Pacific Islands region; an understanding of the institutional objective in building a stronger Asia-Pacific community in which the United States is a valued partner; the interests and views of Pacific Islands leaders; past achievements and capabilities of the program;

future sources of support; and likely budget constraints and opportunities.

• Develop plans of business continuity and growing PIDP’s relational and intellectual capital.

• Identify and oversee specific research, education, and training initiatives as part of the overall program strategy. Serves as the catalyst for the development of new ideas and programs focused on meeting the economic and national security needs of the Pacific Islands economies and establishes and maintains cooperative links with other institutions, agencies, and organizations needed to carry out these projects.

Provides intellectual and professional guidance to staff and participants engaged in projects.

• Develop and coordinate project plans including scope, deliverables, and budgets (including liaising with senior management and third parties for multi-country/multi-agency projects). Manages and redirects resources in response to or in anticipation of internal/external circumstances. Addresses issues of competing demands to resolve project execution issues.

• Collaborates with leadership to develop and secure a diverse funding base for new initiatives and ongoing program activities.

• Represent the Center and PIDP domestically and internationally in research, education, business, and government settings. Authors high-quality papers for internal and external/international audiences. Maintains a…