Research Assistant/Associate - Environmental Security Program

Research Assistant/Associate

Full-Time

Salary: $50,000 to $75,000

Location: Washington, DC

Deadline to Apply: March 31, 2024

About Stimson

The Henry L. Stimson Center (Stimson), a nonpartisan global security think tank located in Washington, DC, seeks a Research Assistant or Research Associate) Reporting to the Senior Director and Fellow. This role ensures that our practices support our mission-driven work, align with Stimson's vision, values, strategic goals, standards of conduct, and operational objectives, and demonstrate our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee well-being.

About the Program and Position Summary

The Henry L. Stimson Center seeks a highly motivated individual to join the team as a full-time Research Assistant or Research Associate for the Environmental Security program. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated interest in the intersection of national security and natural resource management, including how marine fisheries scarcity, ocean biodiversity, and climate change affect communities. As part of the Environmental Security team, the successful candidate will adopt our "research to action" model and show a commitment to developing innovative solutions to: (1) combat illegal fishing and forced labor practices in the seafood supply chain both domestically and internationally, and (2) amplify sustainable ocean management in support of economic and food security of coastal communities.

The Environmental Security program at Stimson explores the suite of environmental threats, both human and natural, that have the potential to undermine national, regional, or global security. The increasingly complex and transnational drivers of environmental challenges compromise ecological, economic, energy, and food security and ultimately can foster destabilization and geopolitical tension. Through its engagement with unconventional partners, the Environmental Security program studies natural resource loss and climate risk and works to identify the roots of these threats to peace and stability and devise innovative actions and solutions to address them.

The Environmental Security team is a bright, fun, and energetic group who work together with the shared goal of enacting constructive, tangible change for the future. We enjoy brainstorming sessions and are looking for a solution-oriented critical thinker. We value new ideas and work together to achieve success both individually and as a team. The Research Assistant/Associate will contribute to the program's overall mission to foster a better understanding of the growing impact of environmental challenges on national, regional, and global security and will devise policies and solutions for implementation with our partners around the world.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on the impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and loss of marine biodiversity in coastal communities.
• Collaborate with and support NGO partners in efforts to expand seafood supply chain transparency domestically and seek to align seafood traceability programs across major seafood market states.
• Develop comprehensive funding proposals, including multi-year budgets, as well as draft reporting on funding received.
• Provide primary support for the Environmental Security program's social media presence and other external communications, including newsletters and routine updates.
• Design and execute public events and meetings.
• Represent the Environmental Security program at meetings and other functions with stakeholders, including governmental agencies and bodies, the private sector, and nongovernmental organizations.
• Manage consultants and interns.
• Track project deadlines and deliverables.
• Attend meetings with the Environmental Security program Director and staff and prepare agendas, briefing memos, and talking points.
• Draft and co-author long-form and short-form articles, op-eds, and reports to communicate the Environmental Security team's message to a variety of stakeholders.
• Organize and participate in domestic and foreign travel for the team.
• Be current on environmental security issues to help inform program activities.
• Work with other Stimson programs on crosscutting issues and events.
• Provide administrative support to the Environmental Security program staff.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications - preferred:

• A clear interest in international security, ocean resource management (including but not limited to fisheries), climate change issues, and non-traditional security threats related to global security and international environmental policy.
• A bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field, e.g., geography, governance, natural resource management, international relations, public policy.
• A demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities with different and shifting deadlines.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Superior analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Experience leading surveys, interviews, and qualitative field research.
• Experience writing on topics related to global security, natural resources, environment, and development policy.
• An innovative spirit and drive and the ability to work at a rapid pace.
• Enjoy working in a team, pitch-in when needed, show flexibility in operations, and appreciate the need for a sense of humor.
• Full competency in Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated interest or understanding with the U.S. policymaking process.
• Interest in and understanding of U.S. and international fisheries policies, including on efforts to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

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

Application requirements:

• Qualified candidates should submit a brief cover letter, resume, and a 2-page writing sample in a single PDF document.

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 that celebrates, supports, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. 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.