What are the responsibilities and job description for the Junior Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Expert position at Q2Impact?
About the role
Q2IMPACT is building the team that will support the Joint Staff J5, Deputy Directorate for Counter Threats and International Cooperation (DDCTIC), in meeting the Department of War's statutory requirements under Public Law 115-68, the Women, Peace, and Security Act. This is an early-career seat on a small, senior team — you will work alongside certified WPS Advisors, instructional designers, and analysts who have delivered this mission at the Joint Staff and at combatant commands, with direct exposure to general officer and SES audiences from your first months on the job. If you have a few years of national security experience and want to build genuine WPS depth rather than watch it from a distance, this is that role.
What you'll do
· Support delivery of Joint Staff-certified WPS courses in the National Capital Region and at Combatant Commands as part of a mobile training team, including instructor support, materials preparation, and course logistics.
· Help maintain standardized WPS training modules covering PL 115-68, UNSCR 1325, and WPS-informed sociocultural analysis.
· Support the WPS Focal Point network across the Joint Staff and the Combatant Commands through roster management, onboarding sessions, and recurring touchpoints.
· Contribute research and drafting to sociocultural analysis products that inform planning, exercises, and security cooperation.
· Support collection, validation, and analysis of implementation data for annual congressional and NATO reporting.
· Administer course surveys, compile after-action inputs, and draft summary reports following each delivery.
· Prepare briefing materials and written products for senior military and civilian leadership.
Required qualifications
· Active final Top Secret clearance.
· Bachelor's degree.
· Minimum three (3) years of function-related experience at the operational or strategic level, demonstrating understanding of DoD organization and operations.
· Familiarity with joint doctrine, strategic planning, the operational planning process, or DoD security cooperation.
· Ability to prepare and present materials to Flag Officers, General Officers, and SES-level audiences.
· Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
· Willingness to travel CONUS and OCONUS for course delivery and exercise support.
Preferred qualifications
· Experience supporting the Joint Staff, a Combatant Command, or a Service headquarters.
· Training delivery, instructional design, or adult education experience.
· DoD- or NATO-certified WPS Advisor or WPS Focal Point certification (or willingness to certify after hire).
· Experience conducting sociocultural analysis or human security assessments.
· Master's degree in behavioral science, cultural studies, sociology, political science, international relations, or a related discipline.
· Military or prior federal service.
This position is contingent upon contract award, with an anticipated start in September 2026.
Travel: ~25% CONUS and OCONUS | Clearance: Active Top Secret required
Location: National Capital Region — on site at the Pentagon