Forward Defense – Fall 2024 Young Global Professionals

Forward Defense (FD), in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.

Forward Defense is looking for a motivated, energetic individual to become a core member of our fast-growing team. FD interns support our public and private events; reports, papers, and memos; and digital public communications. Through their work, they interact with senior US and allied defense officials and are exposed to logistical and event planning; research, writing, editing, and publishing; and the inner workings of a Washington, DC think tank.

This internship is based in our Washington, DC, headquarters on a hybrid schedule at a rate of $17.50 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to support the activities of Forward Defense.
• Manage Forward Defense contacts and knowledge.
• Draft correspondence and take notes at roundtables and strategy sessions for program archives.
• Handle logistical and operational functions of Forward Defense issues for events and activities.
• Help draft policy briefs, blog posts, memos, articles, and other publications.
• Support Forward Defense’s development as needed.
• Conduct media outreach to promote FD’s events, publications, and writings.
• Support Forward Defense in creating and updating content on its website using WordPress.

• Must be at least a college junior in good standing, a graduate student, or college graduate, although a range of academic backgrounds may qualify you for this position. Candidates should articulate why their backgrounds are relevant to our work in the fields of international relations and national security in a cover letter.
• Must demonstrate proven interest in the core mission of the Atlantic Council.
• Interest in and knowledge of a range of core topics related to Forward Defense’s themes and priorities, such as Chinese and Russian security, military technology, space security, nuclear deterrence and arms control, national security applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, hybrid warfare, homeland security, defense industry, and wargaming.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written – live and virtual), including the ability to identify and work through challenges, underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence.
• Must be proficient in MS Office suite. Mention proficiency in other software (such as WordPress, Salesforce, and Marketo) in your application.
• Strong analytical, planning, time management, and organizational skills required.
• Candidates must be able to commit 40 hours per week during normal business hours Eastern time. Strong preference will be given to candidates who can work regularly from the Council’s Washington, DC headquarters. Please indicate in your cover letter how often you will be able to work in person.

Applications close Friday, June 7, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET (4:59 am GMT) and require a resume and cover letter.