Project Assistant, GeoStrategy Initiative

About the GeoStrategy Initiative

The GeoStrategy Initiative (GSI), housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, serves to directly advance the Scowcroft Center’s core mission by developing sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world. Its competencies in long-range foresight and strategy development are vital assets to government and business leaders as they navigate a complex and unpredictable world. Through its work, the initiative strives to revitalize, adapt, and defend a rules-based international system in order to foster peace, prosperity, and freedom for decades to come.

About the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges and opportunities facing the United States and the world. The Center honors General Brent Scowcroft’s legacy of service and embodies his ethos of nonpartisan commitment to the cause of security, support for U.S. leadership in cooperation with allies and partners, and dedication to the mentorship of the next generation of leaders.

Overview of the Role

The Atlantic Council seeks a talented and team-oriented individual for a self-starting position as a Project Assistant in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s GeoStrategy Initiative. The Project Assistant will play an important role in helping to execute the initiative’s programming, including its quarterly Strategy Consortium and So What’s the Strategy? video series, annual production of Global Foresight, and a new body of national security resilience work aimed at developing strategies for enhancing national security resilience. The role will also include vital administrative duties. This includes, but is not limited to, scheduling private and public events, managing the calendar of the director of the GeoStrategy Initiative. Additionally, the Project Assistant will offer logistical support, including coordinating with other teams across the Council, staffing GSI events, and developing social media posts.

The successful candidate will have a passion for the work of the GeoStrategy Initiative with broad knowledge of topics such as great power competition, major trends, challenges, and opportunities impacting US and global foreign policy, foresight, and resilience. Demonstrated proficiency in writing, verbal communication, event organizing, and administration is desired. Finalists for this position will demonstrate resourcefulness, a solution-oriented mindset, and the ability to prioritize and multitask effectively while adhering to deadlines. The GeoStrategy Initiative prides itself on offering opportunities for professional growth to those who demonstrate a commitment to their work and enjoy learning in a dynamic environment.

The position is based in our Washington, DC headquarters requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office. This contract is for an initial 3-month period with the possibility of extension up to 12 months and/or conversion into a salaried entry-level staff position. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $24.04 to $26.44 per hour. Applications submitted by October 25, 2024, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job responsibilities

• Event management – Execute the logistics for public and private events. Help coordinate execution of onsite, offsite, and virtual events, including coordinating VIP arrivals and departures, venue setup, guest management, and speaker preparation. Lead planning and related administrative tasks like drafting invitation language, managing RSVPs, drafting preparatory memos for speakers, and taking notes during events.
• Program management support – Manage program contacts and other shared files and knowledge in the program, including leveraging Microsoft Office, Salesforce, and other systems. Provide other administrative support as needed to assist the program’s operations. Manage the director’s calendar.
• External communications – Support the team’s social media and broader communications efforts, including managing basic regular website updates and regular newsletter updates for our audience on the program’s activities. Support the program’s content development including occasional editing and proofreading of external publications such as op-eds and research reports, as well as making design choices and communicating with authors.
• Research and substantive support – Research and stay on top of the latest news and analysis on global security issues to inform the program’s ongoing work, business development, and specific projects such as research reports as needed. Help draft internal memos to prepare staff and leadership for meetings and events. There may be occasional opportunities to support the research and drafting of articles and reports.

• Bachelor’s degree preferred;
• No minimum full-time work experience required, but experience in a position with transferable skills is desired;
• Ability to work remotely during Eastern time zone hours, and in-person from the Council’s Washington, DC headquarters at least four days per week;
• Willingness and ability to commit 40 hours per week and regularly longer to complete time-sensitive deliverables, with overtime pay;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic environment and multi-task to fulfill overlapping demands;
• Excellent organizational, logistical, and administrative skills are required;
• Event management and communication skills strongly desired;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Proven track record working efficiently both independently and collaboratively with a tight-knit team;
• Experience with research and writing memos is preferred;
• Familiarity with and passion for the issues the GeoStrategy Initiative leads on. This can be demonstrated either through academic, professional, or personal experience;
• Ability to represent the Atlantic Council to external constituencies, such as senior military and government officials, board directors, donors, and foreign leaders;
• Willingness to learn new systems and processes and volunteer for new challenges.

To produce quality work and to successfully achieve our mission, we recognize the need for our staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package helps to keep costs low for our staff and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, 403(b) plan, FSA options, pet insurance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and wellness benefits.