Program Coordinator/Research Assistant
Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc. Program Coordinator/Research Assistant
JOB SUMMARY
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 concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.
JOB SUMMARY
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 concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.
The Economics and Security Technology (EST) Department advances policy research and dialogue at the intersection of economics, technology, national security, and global competitiveness. The department convenes policymakers, business leaders, academics, and subject matter experts to develop practical solutions to emerging challenges and opportunities facing the United States and its partners.
EST is seeking a Program Coordinator/Research Assistant (PCRA) to support the EST Front Office. This role requires strong skills in program management, strategic communications, event coordination, research support, and stakeholder engagement. The PCRA will play a central role in coordinating department-wide initiatives, managing executive-level administrative and operational activities, supporting strategic communications efforts, and ensuring successful execution of EST priorities.
The Ideal Candidate
- Has experience supporting senior leadership and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Has experience conducting policy research on technical, economic, technology, or national security topics.
- Has experience planning and executing events, meetings, travel logistics, and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Demonstrates exceptional organizational and project management skills.
- Has strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level writing.
- Can work independently, exercise sound judgment, and proactively identify solutions.
- Has experience coordinating cross-functional teams and department-wide initiatives.
- Has experience supporting fundraising, donor engagement, and proposal development efforts.
- Is highly proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Coordination and Front Office Operations
- Provide administrative, operational, and project management support to EST Front Office leadership.
- Manage competing priorities and support multiple department-wide initiatives simultaneously.
- Track project deliverables and deadlines and proactively inform leadership of upcoming milestones.
- Coordinate calendars, meetings, travel logistics, and stakeholder engagements as needed while ensuring timely follow-up and communication.
- Support budget tracking, expense reporting, and administrative processes.
- Coordinate and support special projects and other department-wide initiatives as assigned.
- Provide administrative and operational support for intern onboarding, departmental processes, and other Front Office priorities as assigned.
- Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, scheduling, and coordinating interns, including supporting day-to-day administrative and operational activities.
Departmental Flagship Initiatives
- Help coordinate the department's flagship Tech Edge workstream, including scheduling meetings, tracking deliverables, coordinating stakeholders, and supporting content development and execution.
- Coordinate the EST Front Office podcast portfolio, including scheduling, production logistics, guest coordination, communications, and publication support.
- Support the development and execution of additional department-wide strategic initiatives and cross-program collaborations.
Research and Analysis
- Conduct policy and background research on economic security, technology, innovation, trade, energy, emerging technologies, and related policy issues.
- Assist with drafting reports, memos, briefing materials, presentations, and other research products.
- Support the preparation of publications, analyses, and external-facing materials for policymakers, partners, and donors.
- Monitor key developments and maintain situational awareness across EST issue areas.
Events, Roundtables, Forums, and Workshops
- Lead the planning and execution of public and private events, roundtables, workshops, conferences, podcasts, and strategic meetings.
- Coordinate event logistics, speaker outreach, participant management, and post-event follow-up activities.
- Manage travel logistics for speakers, delegations, and staff as needed.
- Support event communications, briefing materials, and stakeholder engagement efforts.
Strategic Communications, Stakeholder, and Donor Engagement
- Support strategic communications efforts across the EST Department, including content development, outreach, and audience engagement.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, donors, and partner organizations.
- Engage in outreach and follow-up efforts to expand the department's network and strategic partnerships.
- Assist with fundraising activities, including preparing and editing grant proposals, donor reports, concept notes, and renewal documentation.
- Support coordination of agreements, donor reporting requirements, and compliance-related documentation.
- Support strategic communications efforts across the EST Department, including managing social media content and publishing schedules, newsletters, website updates, podcasts, promotional materials, and audience engagement initiatives.
KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor's degree in public policy, international relations, economics, political science, business, communications, or a related field.
- Strong qualitative and quantitative research and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated interest in economic security, technology policy, innovation, energy, international affairs, or related policy issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level writing.
- Strong organizational, project management, and multitasking abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently with minimal oversight and exercise sound judgment.
- Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
- High attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams), Salesforce, Pardot, Concur, Asana, and related collaboration tools.
- Computer and mobile technology proficiency to work remotely when needed.
- Experience supporting events, research projects, strategic communications, or operational functions is preferred.
- Must be eligible to work in Washington, DC, and commit at least 35 hours per week.
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
As published by greenhouse
First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Location
- Preferred First Name optional
- Have you ever been employed with our organization? choose one
- If yes, in what capacity? If no, please enter N/A.
- Do you know anyone who has been or is still employed by our organization? choose one
- If yes, please provide the name and relationship. If no please enter N/A.
- Are your former employment references or education listed under a name other than that stated above. choose one
- If yes, please indicate former name. If no, please enter N/A.
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for an employment visa or other immigration sponsorship? choose one
- Are you at least 18 years of age? choose one
- Date available to begin work optional
- Are you willing to travel? choose one · optional
- Highest level of education achieved choose one
- Professional licenses/certifications written answer · optional
- Reference 1- Name
- Company Name
- Job title
- Relationship
- Email address
- Phone number
- Reference 2- Name optional
- Company Name optional
- Job title optional
- Relationship optional
- Email address optional
- Phone number
- Reference 3- Name optional
- Company Name optional
- Job title optional
- Relationship optional
- Email address optional
- Phone number optional
- Writing sample written answer · optional
- LinkedIn Profile optional
- If you provided a phone number, do you consent to receiving follow-up communication via text message (or SMS message) regarding your application status? choose one
- Conditions of Application and Employment: I understand that any false statements in this application may be cause for rejection or termination of my employment with Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS). I also grant permission to Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) to investigate my former employment and references, to my former employers and references to release information about me to Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS). In consideration of my potential employment with Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS), I absolve Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS), former employers, and references from any liability with respect to providing information about me, including my employment and attendance records and reasons for termination. I understand that neither this document nor any offer of employment from the employer constitutes an employment contract, unless a specific document to that effect is executed by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) and myself in writing. choose any
- Pre-employment Authorization and Consent for Release of Personal Information: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) (""the Company"") may obtain information about you from a consumer reporting agency for employment purposes. Thus, you may be the subject of a ""consumer report"" and/or an ""investigative consumer report"" which may include information about your character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and/or mode of living and which can involve personal interviews with sources such as your neighbors, friends, or associates. These reports may contain information regarding your credit history, criminal history, social security verification, motor vehicle records (""driving records""), verification of your education or employment history, or other background checks. You have the right, upon written request made within a reasonable time after receipt of this notice, to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report. Please be advised that the nature and scope of the most common form of investigative consumer report obtained with regard to applicants for employment is an investigation into your education and/or employment history conducted by CSIS, 1616 Rhode Island Ave, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-0200 or another outside organization. The scope of this notice and authorization is all-encompassing, however, allowing the Company to obtain from any outside organization all manner of consumer reports and investigative consumer reports now and throughout the course of your employment to the extent permitted by law. As a result, you should carefully consider whether to exercise your right to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report. New York applicants or employees only: You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of any investigative consumer report requested by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) by contacting the consumer reporting agency identified above directly. Acknowledgement and Authorization I acknowledge receipt of the NOTICE REGARDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION and A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT and certify that I have read and understand both of those documents. I hereby authorize the obtaining of ""consumer reports"" and/or ""investigative consumer reports"" by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) at any time after receipt of this authorization and throughout my employment, if applicable. To this end, I hereby authorize, without reservation, any law enforcement agency, administrator, state or federal agency, institution, school or university (public or private), information service bureau, employer, or insurance company to furnish any and all background information requested by CSIS, 1616 Rhode Island Avenue, Washington, DC 20036, 202-887-0200, another outside organization acting on behalf of Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS), and/or Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) itself. I agree that a facsimile (""fax""), electronic or photographic copy of this Authorization shall be as valid as the original. Minnesota and Oklahoma applicants or employees only: Please check this box if you would like to receive a copy of a consumer report if one is obtained by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS). [ ] California applicants or employees only: By signing below, you also acknowledge receipt of the NOTICE REGARDING BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA LAW. Please check this box if you would like to receive a copy of an investigative consumer report or consumer credit report at no charge if one is obtained by Center For Strategic And International Studies (CSIS) whenever you have a right to receive such a copy under California law. choose any
- Please enter a full physical address that can be used if an offer is extended.