JOB SUMMARY:

AT CSIS WE ACTIVELY SEEK TO EMPLOY A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO EMBODY OUR ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES. WE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO APPLY, ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM TRADITIONALLY UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to address international policy issues and to provide policy options and solutions. CSIS is one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of roughly 200 employees, including more than 100 analysts tracking policy issues and developments in countries across the globe.

This position will support the CSIS Humanitarian Agenda, a center-wide initiative that explores evolving trends and identifies policy solutions to improve the fundamental outcomes of humanitarian assistance.

The Humanitarian Agenda seeks a highly motivated Research Fellow to join the team as an expert on humanitarian policy. This is a one-year position with the possibility of extension for an additional year. Research will focus on humanitarian crises in protracted conflicts, efficacy of aid, and issues regarding humanitarian access. This individual will also be a critical player in generating written analysis and representing the program at public and private events on humanitarian policy and will have significant experience navigating the policy community in Washington, DC. The Research Fellow will shape the research agenda alongside the program director and maintain a high level of scholarship in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Work includes synthesizing large amounts of information and tailoring messages to different audiences, including policy makers, donors, and the advocacy community. The Research Fellow will work on several projects simultaneously, in addition to responding to daily demands.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS MAY INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

SUBSTANTIVE RESEARCH AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

• Contribute to the intellectual vitality of the program by producing work which embodies the CSIS principles of scholarly independence, objective analysis, political bipartisanship, and policy impact. • Prepare, edit, and review thoughtful, content-rich publications, potentially including commentaries, critical questions, policy briefs, and analytical pieces that contribute to policy debates in Congress, the Executive Branch, and the international sphere. ● Design, organize, and participate in an international research trip, which will result in a publication. ● Collaborate with other programs at CSIS on research initiatives as appropriate, relevant, and feasible. ● Edit materials with a critical perspective and strong attention to detail. ● Keep apprised of academic, technical, programmatic, and policy literature in the humanitarian space. ● Maintain a working knowledge of trends in humanitarian sector and intricacies of various regional protracted conflicts and assess their implications on U.S. leadership and policy.

STRATEGIC OUTREACH

● Generate and develop ideas for new projects, partnerships, collaborations, events, and speakers. ● Represent CSIS and disseminate work by participating in formal and informal discussions such as high-level meetings, industry conferences, external lecture opportunities, roundtable discussions, etc. ● Build upon wide network of contacts in the humanitarian and policy sectors. ● Contribute to the strategic planning and implementation of other program initiatives as appropriate, including efforts to secure new or follow-on funding.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

● At least five years of progressive experience in humanitarian sector, international development, or related field. ● Master’s degree in relevant subject matter preferred (international development/affairs, humanitarian or security studies, conflict and conflict resolution, etc.). ● Strong knowledge and experience analyzing humanitarian policy, nexus between development and security, and/or U.S. foreign aid policy required. ● Experience and comfort working in Washington’s policy community, including with legislative and executive branch stakeholders and independent policy and advocacy communities; possesses a deep understanding of U.S. government foreign assistance bureaucracy, processes, and procedures. ● Robust network in humanitarian community and knowledge of how the international development industry, including donors and implementing partners, operate. ● Demonstrated ability to write coherent research reports, concept papers, and short analyses independently, on deadline, and in clear, simple language. A body of published work preferred. ● Must possess strong analytic and exceptional communication skills, including the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from stakeholders, media, governmental entities, and the public. ● Ability to write, think, and operate independently. ● Social media presence a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. _ _

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants please submit your resume, cover letter, and a short writing sample (no more than five pages)at https://careers.csis.org/.

Required Skills Required Experience