Foreign Policy and Defense Policy Writer Intern (FPD) - Our National Conversation

Our Mission: 

OUR NATIONAL CONVERSATION (ONC) seeks to reduce partisanship and promote effective solutions to America’s challenges. Powered by America’s youth, we produce educational materials and host constructive dialogue intended to address America’s challenges head-on.

Job Title: Foreign Policy and Defense Policy Writer Intern (FPD)

Reports to: Core Content Writing Team Lead and Director of Policy Content and Strategy

Description: The Foreign Policy and Defense Policy Writer Intern contributes to ONC’s mission of providing nonpartisan news, opinions, and policy solutions by completing essential tasks in the Policy Content department. The Foreign Policy and Defense Policy Writer Intern will focus on writing political content for ONC, including but not necessarily limited to high-quality OpEds and Policy Proposals for ONC’s website. Though writers will be responsible for producing their own content, the process will be collaborative, with lots of political discussion in a respectful, nonpartisan environment. In addition to ensuring that diverse content appears on the site, this intern will participate in podcasts, produce infographics and research content for our new “Talking Points” feature on our website. Furthermore, this intern must ensure that ONC's commitment to nonpartisanship, ideological diversity, and civil debate is evident in all published work. If you are interested in the military, national security, foreign affairs, government or conflict, this team is the perfect fit. Some topics can include human rights, immigration, diplomacy, and cybersecurity. We discuss not only American foreign policy, but the interaction of other international organizations and countries as well. The Policy Writers team will consist of various writers that cover our 8 policy areas, Governance, Economics, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Foreign Policy and Defense, Justice and Public Safety, Social Issues, and Science, Environment and Technology. 

*A content-related writing sample will be requested if you are selected to interview. The content you will produce should be aimed at a general audience, not an academic one. The same goes for the requested writing sample.

The Core Content Department will meet on Friday’s at 7:00pm (EST)/ 4:00pm (PST) with all writers, mentors, the Core Content Writing Team Lead, the Director of Policy Content and Strategy and the Managing Editor. This position is remote, with work primarily conducted over Zoom and Slack, so applicants must be comfortable coordinating in a remote environment and are expected to maintain a high level of communication. The duration of this internship can be as short as a semester or as long as a year or more depending on their performance. Many people choose to extend their internship past the amount of time they initially committed to.

Duration: May 1, 2024 - August 31, 2024 (On-boarding and Training begins the week of April 22nd)

Compensation: This is not a paid position.

Benefits: Flexible schedule, college credit, professional networking, and resume-building experience.

Responsibilities:

• Create consistent content for the website with a team of policy content writers.

• Ensure ONC's commitment to nonpartisanship, ideological diversity, and civil debate is reflected in all published work.

• Participate in civil dialogue with conservative, progressive, and moderate writers focused on our 8 policy areas: Governance, Economics, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Foreign Policy and Defense, Justice and Public Safety, Social Issues, and Science, Environment and Technology.

• Participate in podcasts, original reporting, events, and other tasks as needed.

Requirements: The Foreign Policy and Defense Policy Writer Intern should have the following skills, education, and experience:

• This role would be particularly good for those working towards a degree in Political Science, Journalism, English or Literature, Public Policy, Criminal Justice, Sociology, and/or related fields

• Exceptional writing skills are required (English)

• Proficient verbal communication/speaking skills are a plus

• Responsive, consistent, and effective communicator, even during conflict

• Experience in policy research, political commentary, political science, or a related domain preferred

• Enthusiasm for ONC’s mission and values, including a willingness to participate in polite debate with people of diverse and opposing political perspectives

• Ability to work remotely and on their own schedule in order to make deadlines

• Google Workspace experience preferred

• Ability to attend the bi-weekly Organization-Wide (mandatory) meetings

• Ability to attend weekly (Friday) Policy Content Department (mandatory) meetings

• Must be authorized to intern in the U.S.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.