Intern - Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program (Spring 2025)

At CSIS we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of approximately 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism (WITT) Program seeks highly motivated candidates for a full-time (35 hours per week), three-month (with the possibility of extension to six-month) internship beginning in January 2025. The intern will have the opportunity to participate in programs offered by the Abshire-Inamori Leadership Academy (AILA), the in-house leadership development program at CSIS.

Led by Dr. Daniel Byman, the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program (formerly known as the Transnational Threats Project) conducts research and analysis on irregular and hybrid warfare, terrorism, and military operations. The program examines Chinese, Russian, and Iranian irregular and hybrid warfare activities, such as covert action, economic warfare, support to non-state partners, cyber operations, disinformation, political warfare, and espionage. It also assesses terrorist and paramilitary activities by such organizations as Lebanese Hezbollah, Shia militias, the Houthi movement (or Ansar Allah), the Islamic State, al Qaeda, and far-right and far-left extremist networks. Finally, the program researches the military capabilities of China, Russia, and other U.S. adversaries and examines how the United States and its allies can best respond.

The ideal candidate for this job thrives in a fast-paced environment, is highly organized, and has a strong customer-service mindset. The candidate should enjoy detail-oriented work and be able to learn quickly. The intern will have access to high-ranking officials, see the inner workings of the nation’s premier foreign policy think tank, and build their organizational management skills. 

The intern will assist in multiple program components, including event planning and execution, grant reporting, and collaboration with other programs across CSIS.

The hired candidate will be paid hourly, commensurate with experience ($17.50/hour for current undergraduate hires, $18.50/hour for hires with a bachelor’s degree, and $19.50/hour for hires with a master’s degree).

Essential duties and responsibilities
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in all aspects of event planning and logistics, including for public and private panels and conferences.
• Provide scheduling support and coordinate the scheduling of calls, in-person and virtual meetings, and travel for events and projects.
• Assist in drafting proposal and grant reporting materials.
• Assist in the publications process, including liaising with the CSIS Dracopoulos iDeas Lab, drafting webpage language, and assisting in social media promotion.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to analyze trends in local, regional, and global terrorist and non-state actor group activity, as well as irregular and conventional military activity by U.S. adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran;
• Other similar duties as assigned.

Please note that this is primarily a programming support internship. Research responsibilities may vary depending on program needs, mastery of essential programming duties (such as event planning), and demonstrated interest and ability.

Knowledge, education, and experience

The position requires the following skills and experiences
• Completed Bachelor’s degree.
• 0-2 years of relevant work experience (including internships);
• Demonstrated interest in terrorism, irregular warfare, and/or military operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented and well-organized, with demonstrated success working in collaborative team environments.
• Ability to work closely and cooperatively with a range of individuals with diverse interests, backgrounds, dispositions, and executive levels. 

Highly competitive candidates typically have one or more of the following experiences:
• 1-3 years of experience in a professional office environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage administrative responsibilities and tasks with a strong attention to detail.
• Past experience coordinating events.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously under strict deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office. 

All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. Foreign nationals must have employment authorization, as CSIS does not sponsor visas for interns. 

Physical requirements and work conditions

This position will be based out of our Washington DC headquarters and is expected to be in-office. 

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

How to apply

Please note that application instructions must be followed, otherwise your application may be rejected. Interested applicants should submit the following as separate documents through the online portal cover letter, resume, and college transcripts (official or unofficial).