Program Assistant (South Asia Program) - Stimson Center

Title: Program Assistant (South Asia Program)

FTE: 1

Salary: $46,000 to $57,000

Location: Washington, DC

About Stimson

The Henry L. Stimson Center (Stimson), a nonpartisan global security think tank located in Washington, DC, seeks a Program Assistant for our South Asia Program. Reporting to the Deputy Director, 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. 

We seek a highly motivated, organized, entrepreneurial, and collaborative individual committed to Stimson's mission and core values. This person understands that any organization is only as good as the people working there and the relationships they build and sustain. This job will require building authentic relationships with staff and affiliates that facilitate the successful candidate's ability to challenge, develop, and support them.

About the Program and Position Summary

Stimsonʼs South Asia program works to mitigate strategic risks and pave the way for a more stable and secure region by investing in critical exchange and open, objective inquiry. The program focuses its efforts on partnering with the next generation of South Asian analysts and policymakers to build better tools for regional stewardship and enduring relationships for deliberative engagement. We seek to foster space for respectful dialogue and debate for all those who seek it be they rising scholars, contemporary experts, or government officials from New Delhi, Islamabad, Washington DC, and Beijing. We create this space through our flagship online strategic analysis platform, South Asian Voices (SAV), our Strategic Learning online courses on security and deterrence, our Visiting Fellowship program, policy roundtables, academic workshops, simulation exercises, and our track-two engagements.

We welcome applications from early-to-mid- career candidates with undergraduate and/or Master's degrees and minimum one-year work experience. The Program Assistant is a core position in the South Asia Program team, working across all program activities and projects. The position is responsible for coordinating logistics, team planning, travel, conferences, and events; assisting the leadership team with editing and drafting funder reports, drafting and maintaining project budgets; managing meeting scheduling and correspondence; and other day-to-day program management.

The Program Assistant will be expected to support program initiatives, including South Asian Voices, the Strategic Learning Initiative, engagements and events, and the Visiting and Junior Fellowships, among others. The position also liaises with affiliates of the South Asia program and teams across the Stimson Center, including finance, development, and communications.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for coordinating logistics, team planning, travel, conferences, and events
• Assists the leadership team with editing and drafting funder reports, drafting and maintaining project budgets
• Manage meeting scheduling and correspondence
• Support program initiatives, including South Asian Voices, the Strategic Learning Initiative, engagements and events, and the Visiting and Junior Fellowships, among others.
• Liaises with affiliates of the South Asia program and teams across the Stimson Center, including finance, development, and communications.
• Other day-to-day role-appropriate program management duties as assigned

Qualifications - required:

• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with peers in a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Excellent writing and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Event, communications, and/or project management experience.
• Experience with drafting project budgets.
• Enthusiasm for program coordination and ability to identify and implement process and organizational improvements.
• Willingness to learn new skills and adapt quickly.
• Permanent eligibility to work in the United States. Stimson is not able to offer sponsorship for this position.
• Proactive mindset.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel up to a few times a year

Qualifications - preferred:

• Leadership experience demonstrated through student activities or other work experiences.
• Experience supervising a small team.
• Experience with project management software (Notion, Airtable, and SharePoint is a plus).
• A strong background in politics, economics, or security; strategic studies and nuclear issues; international relations; or other social sciences.
• Precise editing skills (work experience in university writing center or newspaper a plus).
• Experience working in intercultural settings.
• Web management experience/skills.
• Foreign language ability, especially with languages spoken in South Asia.

Application requirements:

• A one-page cover letter answering the following questions:
  • How does your resume/work experience demonstrate your ability to fulfill the position requirements and desired skills/experiences?
  • What most interests you about the position and the work of the Stimson South Asia Program (see program page here)?
  • How can you contribute to the mission and work of the Stimson South Asia Program?
• A two-page maximum curriculum vitae or resume including all educational qualifications, study abroad experience, and extracurricular activities, as well as work experience to date.
• A writing sample (maximum four pages) on a topic of your choice.
• Unofficial transcript.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

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.