Border, Peace and Security Fellow

Position description

verned by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity’s urgent challenges.
Detailed Description:

This is a full-time, temporary, benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of January 31, 2028. The appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding.
Performs professional-level work developing and leading the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s emerging portfolio on border peace and security. This position is intended for an entrepreneurial scholar-practitioner who will play a central role in shaping and expanding the Institute’s applied research, teaching, and public engagement in this area, with a particular focus on the U.S.-Mexico border region and comparable border contexts globally. The position integrates academic, practitioner, and policy perspectives to generate actionable knowledge, mentor students, and foster collaboration across the Kroc School and external partners.
The Fellow designs and delivers courses related to border governance, migration, and regional security; supervises student teams engaged in applied projects; cultivates partnerships with organizations in the San Diego-Tijuana region; and produces research and public-facing outputs that advance practical and cooperative solutions to shared challenges in the border region. As a resident member of the Institute community, the Fellow contributes to its intellectual life, supports convenings and dialogues, and helps establish and sustain the Kroc School’s reputation as a leader in applied peacebuilding and regional collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Leadership and Teaching:

• Design and deliver (or co-teach) courses related to border peacebuilding, migration, and regional security, ensuring integration with the Kroc School’s experiential learning model.
• Mentor students engaged in applied research or practice projects addressing issues of governance, justice, migration, or human security in border regions.
• Develop innovative learning experiences that connect classroom content with community partnerships and applied fieldwork.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Research and Knowledge Production:

• Conduct and disseminate research, policy briefs, and applied outputs that advance understanding of cross-border peace and security dynamics and inform evidence-based policy and practice.
• Collaborate with faculty, practitioners, and partners to produce co-authored publications and multimedia outputs.
• Represent the Institute in public forums, conferences, and dialogues on border governance, migration, and regional collaboration.

Partnership Development and External Engagement:

• Cultivate partnerships with NGOs, local and national governments, universities, and community organizations on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the network of previous IPJ Border Fellows, maintaining relationships and leveraging this community for joint learning, research, and applied projects.
• Identify opportunities for joint research, practice collaborations, and grant-supported initiatives that strengthen and expand the Kroc Institute’s emerging portfolio on border peace and security.
• Support program development and resource mobilization efforts that build sustainable capacity for the Institute’s border-focused work.

Community and Institutional Integration:

• Serve as a visible resource and mentor for students and faculty across the Kroc School.
• Support IPJ and School-wide convenings, panels, or events that highlight cross-border collaboration and peacebuilding.
• Contribute to the Kroc Institute’s broader mission of advancing practice-based education and applied research.

Special Conditions of Employment:
Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as peace and conflict studies, international relations, law, public policy, human rights, migration studies, or security studies.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or more of the following domains: border governance, migration, conflict resolution, peace and security, human rights, or regional development.
• Demonstrated record of producing high-quality applied research, policy analysis, or learning products that inform practice or policy.
• Experience engaging with governmental, intergovernmental, or civil society partners on issues related to peace, justice, migration, or security.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across academic, policy, and practitioner communities.
• Professional fluency in both English and Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively across cultural and institutional contexts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Terminal degree (PhD, JD, or equivalent) in a relevant field, or significant, sustained professional practice at a senior level in peacebuilding, migration policy, governance, or regional security.
• Demonstrated record of applied, policy-relevant research or practice addressing border dynamics, conflict prevention, or community security.
• Experience in program or network leadership within higher education, government, or international organizations.
• Proven ability to mentor students and early-career professionals engaged in applied research or field practice.
• Experience in developing or contributing to funded initiatives, collaborative research, or multi-partner projects advancing peace, justice, and security.
• Experience working with governmental or intergovernmental agencies on cross-border policy or security cooperation.
• Familiarity with evidence-based approaches to peacebuilding that emphasize inclusion, practical impact, and measurable outcomes.
• Experience teaching graduate level courses.

Performance Expectations – Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of the political, social, and security dynamics of the U.S.-Mexico border and their broader implications for peace and regional cooperation.
• Ability to integrate applied research, teaching, and practice to inform real-world policy and program outcomes.
• Strong analytical and writing skills with the capacity to translate complex ideas into accessible formats for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across academic, practitioner, and policy communities.
• Skill in facilitating dialogue and partnership among stakeholders with differing perspectives.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Commitment to evidence-based, impact-oriented approaches that advance peace, security, and human rights.

Posting Salary:

$6,583.00 – $6,667.00 per month; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits

Application instructions

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