Chief Operating Officer | Development Internship | Research Internship, Iraq Project | Research Internship, Afghanistan Project | Communications Internship
Reporting to Kimberly Kagan, President
Description: The Chief Operating Officer directly supports ISW’s President in managing a dynamic organization, creating new programs, enhancing the organization’s reputation, and development. The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for overseeing ISW’s day-to-day operations and contributing to its strategic planning by overseeing the planning and execution of its budget, complying with the organization’s legal obligations, developing organizational policies, and managing the staff.
Essential Job Functions:
• Develops and executes ISW’s annual budget, and oversees staff activities that support the budgeting process. Monitors income and expenses; manages cash flow; serves as the primary liaison between ISW and its certified public accountant; contracts for and oversees ISW’s annual independent audit. Develops ISW’s business model and diversifies its funding streams – with a special focus on its nascent educational program.
• Ensures legal compliance with all regulations and serves as the primary liaison with ISW’s legal counsel.
• Monitors the organization’s staffing needs and oversees its human resources policies.
• Serves as the senior rater for all staff below the director’s level.
• Serves as a liaison to the ISW Board of Directors, develops the agenda for ISW’s Board Meetings in conjunction with the President, and develops organizational policies for approval by the President or Board.
• Serves as the President’s deputy while the President is traveling.
• Assists the President and Development Director in the identification and cultivation of donors and prospective donors.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will show passion for and dedication to ISW’s mission in the history of his or her education and employment. The candidate must have an established and successful record of managing a military, non-profit, or business organization. Candidates should be entrepreneurial; routinely take the initiative to benefit the organization, while also being a team player; and be able to give and receive mission-centered orders in order to execute a mission and encourage subordinate initiative. Candidates must be dedicated to the long-term development of outstanding personnel and the next generation of national security leaders. Candidates must also be detail-oriented, have knowledge of military affairs, and excel in written and oral communication. Candidates must have experience with budgeting for an organization. Salary commensurate with experience.
This start-date for this position is negotiable, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit a letter of interest and a curriculum vitae to mcochrane@understandingwar.org.
ISW is seeking motivated and experienced university students or recent graduates to fill the position of development intern during the fall semester. The internship will be unpaid. ISW offers 100% reimbursement for commute expenses and there may be a stipend available depending on experience.
Description: The development intern is responsible for assisting the Development Director in developing, implementing, and monitoring ISW’s fundraising initiatives to enhance and promote the organization's funding base. The intern will be highly involved in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship. The Intern will be responsible for performing donor research and required to think creativity to identify donor prospects through internal and external sources. The intern will assist in developing introductory mailings, acknowledgments, and ongoing communications to prospective and current donors, and coordinate follow-up activities. The intern will assist in maintaining records and database information on prospective, past and current donors. The intern will be responsible for scheduling and preparing visits to prospective donors. The intern will assist the Development Director with developing/implementing the strategic development plan, to include preparing regular fundraising progress reports.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate should have coursework in a related field; with an outstanding academic record focused on non-profit management, public relations/marketing, political science, communications, and/or literature. Candidates with development, demonstrated ability to raise funds, or not-for-profit experience are highly recommended to apply.
This position offers a unique opportunity for an individual with excellent communication skills both oral and written, an ability to relate to diverse audiences, and interest in fundraising, network building and public relations.
Intern reports directly to the Development Director.
Although the Institute for the Study of War does not offer compensation for internships, all interns are offered reimbursements for reasonable travel expenses
This position is available immediately, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit a letter of interest, a resume, and an academic/professional writing sample to Ashleigh Seidler, Development Director, at
aseidler@understandingwar.org
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) seeks a full or part-time intern to support ISW’s Iraq Project during the summer of 2010. The ISW publishes regular research reports on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to inform policy makers and journalists in Washington, DC, as well as the general public.
Description: Interns are expected to conduct research under the guidance of Research Analysts; work in conjunction with other members of the research staff to produce research briefs and analysis; assist with editing, documenting, and supporting materials for products of the Institute; assist with the planning, preparation, and execution of public events and private briefings of employees of the Institute; conduct other activities in support of Institute projects.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate should have relevant coursework in a field of study related to the ISW's core mission and research agenda. Undergraduate and Graduate students are encouraged to apply. Candidates must demonstrate a strong academic record, as well as solid research, writing, analytical, and inter-personal skills. They must possess the ability to conduct tasks in a timely and efficient manner. The candidate must also possess an interest in and enthusiasm for ISW’s research agenda and mission. The ability to read and to conduct research using Arabic language materials is preferred.
Interns report to the Research Analyst and Research Manager.
Although the Institute for the Study of War does not offer compensation for internships, all interns are offered reimbursements for reasonable travel expenses
This position is available for the summer of 2010, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2010. To apply, please submit a letter of interest, a resume, and an academic/professional writing sample to Marisa Cochrane Sullivan, Research Manager, at
msullivan@understandingwar.org The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) seeks a full or part-time intern to support ISW’s Afghanistan Project. The ISW publishes regular research reports on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan in order to inform policy makers and journalists in Washington, DC, as well as the general public.
Description: Interns are expected to conduct research under the guidance of Research Analysts; work in conjunction with other members of the research staff to produce research briefs and analysis; assist with editing, documenting, and supporting materials for products of the Institute; assist with the planning, preparation, and execution of public events and private briefings of employees of the Institute; conduct other activities in support of Institute projects.
Qualifications: The ideal candidate should possess or be in pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in a field of study related to the ISW's core mission and research agenda. A Master’s degree in a related field is a plus. Candidates should have solid writing skills, analytical skills, and the ability to conduct research. Knowledge of LexisNexis is preferred. Ideal candidates should also have the ability to conduct tasks in a timely and efficient manner. The candidate must also possess an interest in and enthusiasm for ISW’s research agenda and mission.
Interns with the ability to read Farsi, Dari, or Pashto language materials and to conduct research in one of those languages are highly desired.
Interns report to the Research Analyst and Research Manager.
Although the Institute for the Study of War does not offer compensation for internships, all interns are offered reimbursements for reasonable travel expenses.
This position is available immediately, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis. To apply, please submit a letter of interest, a resume, and an academic/professional writing sample to Marisa Cochrane Sullivan, Research Manager, at msullivan@understandingwar.org
ISW is seeking motivated and experienced university students or recent graduates to fill the position of communications intern. The internship will be unpaid although there may be a stipend available depending on experience.
Job Description: The communications intern is responsible for assisting the Communications Director with developing and overseeing ISW’s strategic communications program in order to promote and raise awareness of the ISW’s research, research products, services and events. The communications intern assists the Communications Director with formulating products and outreach programs and accordingly must have recent experience and an educational background in communications. Among other duties, the communications intern will be actively involved with communications oversight, media outreach, press relations, website management, event coordination, production of collateral marketing materials, and writing press releases and newsletters.
Qualifications: Candidates should have coursework in a related field, with an outstanding academic record focused on communications and/or politics/national security/international relations. The applicant must also have demonstrated writing abilities related to communications work. Website editing abilities are a plus.
If interested, students should forward a cover letter outlining their interest in the Institute and their availability, their resume, and the names and contact information for two professors or employers who can serve as references to Megan Ortagus, Communications Director, mortagus@understandingwar.org.
