Research Assistant, Partnerships in Proliferation Prevention Program

Research Assistant, Partnerships in Proliferation Prevention Program

FTE: 100%

Salary: $50,000 to $65,000

Location: Washington, DC

About Stimson

The Henry L. Stimson Center (Stimson), a nonpartisan global security think tank located in Washington, DC, promotes international security and shared prosperity through applied research and independent analysis, global engagement, and policy innovation.

About the Program and Position Summary

We seek a Research Assistant, reporting to the Director of the Partnerships in Proliferation Prevention (PPP) Program, to support a variety of projects empowering those who keep the worst weapons out of the worst hands. This is a temporary position for six months, with the option for extension if programmatic funding permits. The PPP Program seeks to increase national, regional, and international capacity to prevent the spread of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons, and their means of delivery. We focus on analytical research as well as the development of unique resources and tools for use by the nonproliferation community. The PPP Program also leads the International Nuclear Security Forum (INSF), the largest collective of civil society organizations working to reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism.

The Research Assistant will work closely with the Program Director to implement active projects, including through compilation and publication of the monthly INSF newsletter; international outreach, research, and analysis to update a global database of laws to secure radiological sources; and administrative and logistical support for a variety of events. The successful applicant will also contribute to potential new research projects and will work collaboratively with the staff of other Stimson programs and projects as well as with the Development, Finance, and Communications teams to effectively administer and support project activities.

Responsibilities:

• Research, write, proofread, and copy-edit issue briefs, policy papers, analytical research reports, project reports to funders, and stakeholder updates;
• Coordinate with project stakeholders and funders to meet deliverables and support project objectives;
• Research and track funding opportunities and contribute to project funding and research grant proposals
• Conduct outreach to public and private sector stakeholders to attend events and/or support database and tool development for nonproliferation projects;
• Conduct open-source research to find and analyze data for CBRN security projects, including UN member state laws and regulations;
• Monitor media and track news developments to flag key information related to CBRN security and nonproliferation developments; compile and collate news stories;
• Represent Stimson at meetings and related events;
• Summarize findings from meetings and assess applicability to project work;
• Support logistics for meetings, seminars, and other special events, facilitating invitations, room setup, and building access for guests.
• Process vendor invoices and provide travel facilitation support to program staff and external guests, managing transportation, logistics, and expense reconciliation.
• Maintain program stakeholder lists, facilitate project communications and Wordpress website updates, coordinate with Stimson's Communications team, and provide other programmatic administrative support as assigned.

Qualifications – required:

• B.A. or advanced degree and demonstrated interest or background in international relations and/or international security;
• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with peers in a team environment;
• Strong organizational and communication skills, flexibility, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines;
• Superior research, analysis, writing, copyediting, and proofreading skills;
• Diplomatic skills and cultural sensitivity; willingness to work with global stakeholders, occasionally during non-standard hours;
• Experience with SharePoint, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and other workplace tools that support team organization and promote hybrid collaboration and teamwork;
• Creative problem solving.

Qualifications – preferred:

• M.A. in Political Science, International Relations, International Law, or a related field;
• Proficiency in a foreign language, particularly one or more of the official UN languages;
• Prior non-profit experience in CBRN security or nonproliferation;
• Demonstrated research interest and/or experience in disinformation and strategies to counter it;
• Experience with legal research and textual analysis;
• Research interest or experience in emerging technologies of relevance to CBRN nonproliferation and security;
• Interest in issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in international security contexts;
• Experience with social-media platforms, analytics, and effective promotion strategies; experience developing social media awareness, promotional campaigns, and calendars;
• Experience with database management or development, as well as relevant tools like Wordpress, Datawrapper, AirTable, STATA, SPSS, etc.

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet all preferred qualifications.

Application requirements:

• Qualified candidates should submit cover letter with salary requirements and resume. Applicants selected for interviews may be required to complete one or more short assignments as part of the assessment process.

Employee Benefits

15 Vacation Days, 10 Sick Days, 13 Paid Holidays, Medical and Dental Insurance, Retirement Match, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Plan, Commuting, Wellness, Education Benefits, Parental Leave, and Bereavement Leave.

Stimson is an equal-opportunity employer. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.