Research Assistant, Executive Office – RESEA001811-00001 At US Institute of Peace

DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Who We Are
Peace is our commitment. The United States Institute of Peace represents the American people’s shared values and commitment to peace worldwide. We know that Peace is Security – it advances both U.S. and international security by preventing, managing, and mitigating violent conflict.

We are an independent, non-partisan institution and are actively engaged with peacebuilding efforts around the world. Together we tackle the most challenging problems and hold fast to the possibility of a more peaceful world. To learn more about USIP programs and job openings, go to https://www.usip.org/about/careers.

If you have a passion for making the world a better place and want to have a front-row seat on the world stage, USIP is the place for you.

JOB BRIEF
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) seeks two Research Assistants to provide research and support to the Chief of Staff in the Executive Office. The Research Assistant will be an integral member of the Executive Office team. Together, the Executive Office team ensures the seamless management of multiple strategic initiatives, interacting daily with all levels of USIP staff, including executives and essential external stakeholders. This position requires excellent research, writing, and organizational skills, with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.

Pay: Starting at $15.20- 16.00 per hour

Work Schedule: An average of 20 hours per week; up to 40 hours when school is not in session.

Work Location: This position is based at USIP’s Washington, D.C., headquarters.

Expected Project Dates: November 2021 – April 2022 with the possibility of extension.

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Conducts research, writes and develops documents to assist the Executive Office with implementing USIP’s goals and initiatives.
• Provides support for virtual and in-person (when possible) events for the Executive Office.
• Participates in regular EO meetings and USIP’s internal conversations related to the work and special projects led by the Executive Office.
• Drafts, edits, and updates informational items for internal USIP staff members and external guests (e.g., web content, project pages, special reports, fact sheets, etc.);
• Participates in the strategic planning and work plan development for the Executive Office initiatives more broadly.
• Analyze data using various statistical methods, and write reports to summarize data and the implications of the results.
• Supports the coordination of the Executive Office activities and communications on behalf of the Chief of Staff.
• As assigned, attend Board and Executive meetings to gain knowledge of problems, projects, and plans of the President, Chief of Staff, and the Executive Office to follow through on requests.
• Conduct reference research and prepare reports.
• Compiles reports and prepares agendas and background materials.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Current B.A, M.A or Ph.D. student studying international relations, conflict resolution, political science, and public policy or a related field.
• Familiarity with international NGOs and international development and security issues.
• Demonstrates good organizational skills, can plan and prioritize own work and work of internal stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook), and databases or data management tools.
• Must have excellent research and writing skills, ability to multitask complex initiatives—strong organizational skills, and ability to work independently yet collegially.
• Must be a quick learner, well-organized, and attentive to detail.
• Must be able to multitask and work under deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Must be a team player, collaborative, and have a good sense of humor.

USIP’s Research Assistant program is administered through the Consortium of Universities in the Washington Metropolitan area. Any full-time university student is eligible for these openings; non-students are not eligible.

HOW TO APPLY
To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. A brief writing sample demonstrating your research and writing ability

For questions about this position please email recruitment@usip.org. Do not send resumes or attachments to this email address.

Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted.

No Phone Calls. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment only.

USIP is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of USIP to offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliations or belief, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.