Employment
“The Institute has become a reservoir of talent.”
Since its founding in 1985, The Washington Institute has served as a training ground for future policymakers in both Democratic and Republican administrations. During its quarter-century history, an impressive array of talented scholars has been associated with the Institute. They have gone on to join government and help shape American foreign policy in the Middle East. At the same time, upon completion of their public service, some of the best minds from government are attracted to the Institute. This exchange of ideas and people with the executive branch is very much a part of The Washington Institute's effectiveness.
The Institute's prestigious intern and research assistant programs also provide a pathway for college graduates and graduate students to begin the transformation from young scholar to promising analyst and future policymaker. The Institute is proud of its interns and research assistants -- many of whom go on to serve in government and make their own contributions in the policy world.
Current employment opportunities include
- Soref Fellow
- Research Assistant
- Research Intern
- Regional Director of Development, Midwest
- Development Assistant, District of Columbia
The Washington Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Soref Fellow
The Washington Institute is seeking one or two Soref Fellows. Applicants are urged to apply soon for positions which would start in coming months.
Research proposals should be about a topic relevant to U.S. Middle East policymakers. Candidates who do not duplicate expertise of existing Institute staff members are much preferred. Egypt, Syria, and the economics of the Middle East are of particular interest in 2020/21.
The Soref Fellow program offers an opportunity to consider pursuing a career in government or journalism rather than in academia. The fellowship is designed primarily for those who have recently earned a PhD; exceptionally well-qualified individuals with masters’ degrees will be considered, as will those with law or MBA degrees. The fellowship is not available as support while working on a dissertation. Applications are welcome from those with some years of experience post-degree, such as university assistant professors. Working knowledge of a regional knowledge sufficient for research purposes is much preferred; fluency is even better. Nationals of all countries may apply.
The stipend depends upon experience. Typically for someone who just received a PhD, the stipend would be about $4,500 a month, along with generous benefits. The fellowship is for up to one year. The Institute provides the services of a research assistant shared with another senior fellow. Soref fellows work out of the Institute’s offices in downtown Washington, D.C. Depending upon the research topic, the Institute is prepared to finance a research trip to the Middle East.
Soref fellows write for the Institute's PolicyWatch series and in most cases author a longer study the Institute publishes as a monograph. Fellows may be asked to speak on behalf of the Institute a few times at locations around the United States. The Institute’s communication staff will work with fellows to secure media interviews, to place op-ed articles in major outlets, and to have an active presence on social media.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis. An application should include a short resume, one or two research proposals (a few paragraphs are sufficient), a sample of scholarly work such as a thesis chapter, and if available a sample of writing for a broader audience even if the subject is not about the Middle East. Please email applications to soref@washingtoninstitute.org.
No phone calls please.
The Washington Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Research Assistant
Location: District of Columbia
We are now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Research Assistant class. Interested candidates should apply by February 18, 2022.
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a leading nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization devoted exclusively to the study of U.S. policy in the Middle East, is seeking Research Assistants (RAs) to support the think tank’s research programs.
The Institute offers a number of RA positions to college graduates with an interest and background in Middle East affairs and U.S. foreign policy. Research Assistants support senior scholars and visiting research fellows, participate in and support The Washington Institute's frequent public and private events, and contribute to the daily operations of the office. Research Assistants gain exposure to high-level decision-makers, follow developments in the Middle East, and help senior fellows produce in-depth research and policy analysis. Research Assistants report directly to the RA/Intern Program Director as well as their assigned senior fellows.
Research Assistant positions are full-time, year-long, paid positions plus benefits that begin in the summer of each year. RAs are assigned to specific research programs based on their skills, experience, and interests. Our list of possible RA positions for this coming year include:
- Arab Politics (native/proficient Arabic required)
- Arab Politics (general)
- Counterterrorism and Intelligence (CT): Background in counterterrorism research preferred.
- Counterterrorism and Intelligence (Illicit Finance): Background in economics or finance preferred.
- Gulf & Energy (native/proficient Arabic required)
- Gulf & Energy (general)
- Iran (proficient Persian reading required)
- Arab-Israel Relations
- Military and Security
- Project Fikra: Background in editing/journalism preferred.
- Turkey (proficient Turkish required)
On the application, you can select which RA positions you are qualified for and you can apply for several at once (do not submit multiple applications). Please note that several positions require language capabilities. Not all RA positions are available every year. Only those selected for further assessment will be contacted.
If you have further questions, please email rainternjobs@washingtoninstitute.org. No phone calls, please.
The Washington Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Research Intern
The Washington Institute offers full-time and part-time Fall, Spring, and Summer internships in our office in DC. Current undergraduates are encouraged to apply. Interns provide research and administrative support to Institute staff from our DC office.
Interns are assigned to specific research programs based on their skills, experience, and interests.
Our list of possible internships include:
- Arab Politics (proficient Arabic required)
- Arab Politics (proficient Russian required)
- Arab Politics (general)
- Counterterrorism and Intelligence (on illicit finance): Background in economics/finance preferred.
- Counterterrorism and Intelligence (on counterterrorism): Background in counterterrorism research preferred.
- Gulf & Energy (general)
- Iran (proficient Persian reading required)
- Arab-Israel Relations (mapping role): Experience working with data/mapping preferred.
- Arab-Israel Relations (general)
- Military and Security (general)
- Project Fikra (editing skills required): Background in editing/journalism preferred.
- Turkey (proficient Turkish required)
- Turkey (general)
On the application, you can select which internships you are qualified for and you can select several internships to apply for at once (do not submit multiple applications). Please note that several positions require language capabilities. Not all internships are available every season.
Internship applications will be collected on a rolling basis throughout the year. Most Spring internship decisions are made in November; Summer decisions are typically made in April; Fall decisions are typically made in June. Only those selected for further assessment will be contacted.
If you have further questions, please email rainternjobs@washingtoninstitute.org. No phone calls, please.
The Washington Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Regional Director of Development, Midwest
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the largest research institute focusing solely on the Middle East, seeks a Midwest Regional Director with significant development experience, a keen interest in the Middle East, and an impressive record of accomplishment.
An integral contributor to the Institute’s sophisticated development strategy, the Midwest Regional Director will steward and grow a sophisticated, high-level donor base and work with the National Director of Development and the development team to execute the organization’s development plan. The Regional Director must have a successful track record in acquiring high-level donors and securing significant foundation grants. The position is based in the Chicago area and has responsibility for donors and prospects in the states of Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin as well as other areas as needed.
The Midwest Regional Director will report to the National Director of Development based in Washington, DC.
Responsibilities
- Execute regional development activities to sustain and expand TWI’s portfolio of major donors, foundations and individual funders in the Midwest.
- Create a vision and plan for growing TWI’s major gifts from the Midwest including identification, cultivation, stewardship and solicitation of prospects and donors.
- Plan and execute regular briefings with TWI scholars for donors and prospects throughout the Midwest.
- Plan and execute one or more larger regional events per year, and/or donor field trips to relevant Institutions in the region.
- Work closely with TWI’s National Director of Development to develop accurate financial forecasts for the Midwest region.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field with a minimum of 3-5 years’ of work experience with major gifts, grant management or related work in non-profit fundraising.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects and meet established deadlines.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to relate to high-level donors and effectively communicate the Institute’s mission and achievements.
- Strong project management ability. Computer proficiency; including experience with prospect research tools and fundraising databases. Knowledge of Raiser’s Edge is a plus.
- Familiarity with Middle East affairs and U.S. Middle East policy desirable.
Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.
The Washington Institute offers its full-time employees a generous benefits package, including health, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off, and a retirement savings program.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration via email.
The Washington Institute is an equal opportunity employer.
Development Assistant, District of Columbia
Location: Washington, D.C.
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy is a nonpartisan think tank focused on advancing a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East. We are currently looking for a full-time Development Assistant in our Washington, D.C. office.
Development Assistant Responsibilities:
- Provide administrative support to the Development Department.
- Utilize fundraising database Raiser's Edge, including data entry, running reports and queries.
- Support donor relations through indirect means (mailings, emails, phone calls, etc.).
- Conduct outreach and follow-up, including mailing prospect kits and scheduling meetings.
- Assist with planning and organizing programs and events, both nationally and regionally.
- Identify and conduct research on high net worth prospective donors.
- Conduct foundation research, write foundation reports and grant proposals. Track multi-year gifts for renewals.
- Utilize events platforms, CVENT and ActOn to create invitations for events and track event rsvps.
- Prepare receipts and acknowledgment letters for all gifts received.
- Reconcile financial data on a daily and monthly basis.
- Book travel arrangements.
Development Assistant Requirements:
- BA/BS in development, communications, business or related field
- Strong administrative support skills
- Well-developed customer service orientation
- Ability to work effectively in teams and across organizational lines
- Self-motivated, adept at multi-tasking and prioritizing work
- Experience using Microsoft Office suite
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strength at building and maintaining relationships
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Interest in the mission of The Institute and the Middle East region
The Washington Institute offers its full-time employees a generous benefits package, including health, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, generous paid time off, and a retirement savings program.
To Apply: If you have nonprofit development experience in fundraising, please submit your resume, cover letter and salary requirements for consideration via email.
The Washington Institute is an equal opportunity employer.