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 provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers in government, international institutions, the private sector, and civil society. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of more than 200 employees working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The CSIS Transnational Threats Project (TNT) seeks highly motivated candidates for a full-time Research Associate position.

TNT focuses on the threat and evolution of terrorist networks and the irregular activities of countries such as Russia, Iran, and China. Led by Dr. Seth G. Jones, director and Harold Brown Chair, TNT examines the activities of extremist organizations such as the Islamic State, al Qaeda, Lebanese Hezbollah, Shia militias, and far-right and far-left extremist networks—including domestic and international counterterrorism efforts. TNT also analyzes Russian, Iranian, and Chinese irregular warfare activities, such as covert action, economic warfare, support to non-state partners, use of private military companies, cyber operations, disinformation, political warfare, and espionage. TNT conducts extensive fieldwork overseas, compiles and analyzes data sets, and utilizes satellite imagery and other types of qualitative and quantitative analysis. TNT also draws from an extensive network of policy experts from the U.S. and partner governments, Congress, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector.

The salary range for this position begins at $58,000 and will be determined commensurate with experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research: • Supporting TNT’s research agenda by conducting rigorous qualitative and quantitative research and analysis on local, regional, and global terrorist and non-state actor group activity, as well as irregular and asymmetric activity by U.S. adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran; • Co-authoring original research and analysis; • Using cutting-edge research methods to support written analysis, including but not limited to creating original maps, analyzing satellite imagery, and building and managing original databases and datasets on terrorist and insurgent networks; • Managing a team of one to two research interns on research tasks related to current projects;

Administrative: • Assisting the Director in drafting individual project proposals and/or budgets and liaising with appropriate parties to properly submit research proposals; • Managing event planning, promotion, and execution for public events and for internal (private) meetings and briefings with members of the U.S. government, private sector, foreign government partners, and others; • Assisting with logistics, travel arrangements, and drafting itineraries for TNT fieldwork and travel; • Periodically working outside of regular business hours to assist with critical TNT events, including the annual Arnaud de Borchgrave Memorial Dialogue; • Drafting and implementing TNT’s social media strategy, including overseeing the TNT Twitter account; • Additional tasks as requested by TNT Director.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Completed Master’s degree in political science, international affairs, or related field; • 2-3 years of work experience in a professional office environment (may include internships); • Excellent verbal, written, and research skills, including a track record of writing and publishing mid- to full-length reports on policy-relevant subjects; • Prior academic or professional experience conducting policy research on counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and/or political warfare in the Middle East; North, East, or West Africa; Europe; and Asia (i.e., South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, or Russia); • Experience providing high-quality logistical and administrative support to superiors; • Familiarity with a typical report publication process, including graphic design, layout, copyediting, and printing processes; • Detail-oriented, well-organized, with a proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously under strict deadlines; • Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and work independently with little to no supervision.

Highly competitive candidates will have one or more of the following experiences: • 3-5 years of professional work experience in an administrative and/or research capacity; • Experience writing and publishing mid- to full-length reports on terrorism, insurgency, or irregular warfare; • Overseas work and/or academic experience, preferably in Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Middle East; • Quantitative data research, including creating, maintaining, and analyzing large Excel spreadsheets such as data from the University of Maryland’s START Global Terrorism Database (GTD), Janes Terrorism and Insurgency Centre, Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), or the ADL Hate, Extremism, Antisemitism, Terrorism (H.E.A.T.) Map; • Creating and manipulating geodatabases, including working with QGIS, CARTO, Mapbox, and other open-source mapping platforms; • Experience managing and growing the reach of social media accounts including Twitter; • Language proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Arabic, Farsi, French, Mandarin, Russian, or Ukrainian.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, interested applicants should submit the following materials to the link below: resume, cover letter, a 5–10-page writing sample (double spaced), and college transcripts (official or unofficial).

Required Skills Required Experience