Employment

Current Opportunities

Research Director

Description:  The Research Director at the Institute for the Study of War manages the organization’s analysts and interns and oversees its production cycle and publications.  The RD, working directly with the President, sets the research agenda for ISW’s Middle East Security Project and Afghanistan Project, consistent with ISW’s mission and American national security priorities.  The RD ensures the quality and integrity of ISW’s research, mentors scholars and analysts through their projects, and helps maintain and improve ISW’s access to data, databases, cartography, and other information technology that serves our researchers.  The Research Director assists the President and the Chief Financial Officer with ISW’s human resources development, and plays a large role in selecting interns and hiring scholars.  The Research Director also assists the Development Director and the External Relations Director with their efforts to present ISW’s research to its community of interest and supporters.  Last, but not least, the Research Director also conducts and publishes independent, rigorous research in a field within ISW’s project lines.  

Qualifications:  The candidate must have professional experience managing a research team in an academic, intelligence community, military, or policy setting.  The candidate must be a strong writer, a rigorous analytical thinker, a good communicator, and an excellent manager with established leadership skills.  Candidates must be capable of working both independently and on a team of peers, and be able to demonstrate creativity, self-motivation, and ability to communicate intent clearly.   The candidate must also display a strong record of scholarship, analysis, or publications, and should have a Master’s Degree or above in the field related to ISW’s research, such as national security, intelligence, military history, or the Middle East.  Because ISW’s research is consumed by senior civilian and military leaders, as well as professional intelligence analysts, the Research Director should know how to ensure data quality, query data, and present analysis to decision-makers.

To apply, please email your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to msullivan@understandingwar.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  Approximate start date is 1 June 2012.

Development Officer

Description:The Institute for the Study of War seeks a talented Development Officer to identify, cultivate, solicit, and manage a portfolio of donors and prospects who will support ISW with annual and major gifts. The successful candidate will maintain the relationship between ISW and mid- and high-level supporters. The Development Officer's main goal is to help grow ISW's pipeline for major gifts.  To this end, the Development Officer will plan cultivation events and mailings, and develop ongoing relationships with key donors and prospects.

 Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Work directly with the President and Chief Operating Officer to formulate ISW’s development strategy.
  • Manage a portfolio of individual prospects and donors who support ISW’s mission.
  • Meet regularly with prospects and donors in discovery calls and cultivation engagements.
  • Engage with ISW’s Board of Directors and Advancement Committee to involve them in ISW’s fundraising efforts.
  • Maintain relationships with and expand ISW's corporate council.
  • Help manage the execution and planning of ISW’s development-focused events, in collaboration with the Development team.
  • Supervise the Development Associate with drafting collateral, correspondence, and proposals and with executing events and mailings.
  • Accompany ISW’s President on prospect and donor engagement calls.

ISW is a fast-growing, dynamic, and independent research organization that informs the national security decisions of America's senior commanders and foreign policy leaders.  We seek dynamic staff members who are capable of developing a vision, taking initiative, networking aggressively, and following-through on tasks. This is an outstanding position for a talented individual who seeks greater responsibility and upward mobility in the development field.

Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree is required.  ISW seeks one of two types of candidates.  The ideal candidate will have at least two years of relevant professional fundraising experience, particularly with a prospect pipeline process.  Alternatively, the candidate must have proven networking skills, a demonstrated interest in national security and the business world, and an ability to converse with experts in both of those fields.

In either circumstance, the candidate must understand ISW's mission and have the capacity to share ISW’s core values with current and prospective donors. The candidate must be a team player who can also work independently.  This position requires excellent communication skills, both oral and written.  We will prefer candidates with knowledge of military and national security issues.

To apply, please email your cover letter, resume and writing sample to hiring@understandingwar.org.  Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.  Position to be filled immediately. No phone calls.
 

Internship Opportunities

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) seeks full and part-time interns during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. ISW hires motivated undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate students who are seeking educational and professional experiences in international relations research and non-profit management. ISW offers a unique opportunity for interns to work closely with ISW’s staff and Fellows to gain hands-on research, communications, and development experience. Interns contribute directly to ISW’s mission and leave prepared to pursue full-time careers in international relations and/or non-profit management.

All internships are unpaid. School credit can be offered on a case by case basis.

Application Process
ISW hires interns for the Afghanistan Project, the Iraq Project, the Middle East Security project, the External Affairs Department, and the Development Department to work part-time or full-time for three months. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis. It is recommended that candidates submit their application early. 


Internship Duration Application Due
Summer: June - August April 15, 2012
Fall: September - December July 29, 2012
Spring: January - May January 1, 2012

To apply, please read the intern descriptions and qualifications. E-mail a complete application with all the required documents and the internship title in the subject line to internships@understandingwar.org.  Applications must include: a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcript. Research and Communications internship candidates must also submit an academic/professional writing sample. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Selected candidates will be interviewed by phone, and when possible, in-person. References or additional information may be requested.

 

Internship—Assistant to the President

The Institute for the Study of War is seeking a motivated and experienced university student or recent graduate to fill the position of intern to the President during the Spring semester. The Intern will have the opportunity to work directly with the President, assisting with a variety of substantive research, fundraising, and communications projects.  The intern will gain valuable skills, experience, and insight into the national security and non-profit management fields.

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • Research and writing to support the President’s work;
  • Preparation for meetings, briefings, etc.;
  • Assist, as needed, in the planning, logistics, and execution of all ISW events;
  • Identify, conduct, and maintain research on prospect individuals, corporations, and foundations;
  • Administrative work to include filing, database management, and general office support;
  • Other duties, as needed.

The ideal candidate will be a recent graduate or current undergraduate with coursework in a field of study related to ISW's core mission and research agenda. Candidates should have excellent writing and analytical skills, and the ability to conduct research.  Ideal candidates should also have the ability to conduct tasks in a timely and efficient manner. Administrative, event organizing, or fundraising experience is also desired. The candidate must also possess an interest in and enthusiasm for ISW’s research agenda and mission.

The intern will report directly to the President. Position to be filled immediately.  Applications to be considered on a rolling basis.  To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and writing sample to internships@understandingwar.org.