Program Coordinator & Research Assistant - Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) • Washington, DC

13h • Hybrid

About The Position

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. It has a staff of some 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts. The CSIS Chair in India and Emerging Asia Economics (India Chair) focuses on strengthening the U.S.-India relationship, accelerating economic development in India, and promoting greater business and economic engagement between the two countries. The India Chair is a leading authority on state-level political-economic issues in India and is expanding its program to connect Indian policymakers with peers in other global south nations. This role is action-oriented and not a primary research position, though some light research may be required. The team works in the office Monday-Thursday, with Fridays being an optional work-from-home day. CSIS is seeking a Program Coordinator/Research Assistant (PCRA) to support multiple part-time senior leads in building programs in new emerging policy areas (EPAs) such as technology policy, water-sanitation, and urbanization. The PCRA will help launch new activities and develop funded projects to ensure long-term self-sustainability in these areas.

Requirements

• Has an entrepreneurial mindset; seeks professional development and has a strong interest/comfort in helping build new programs.
• Has the ability to be proactive and can work independently with minimal instruction/oversight.
• Has experience managing different workstreams such as event implementation, travel coordination, contact management, and research.
• Has experience in engaging officials in India and maintaining these contacts, and is able to call and take meetings outside of traditional work hours during mornings and late evenings.
• Has domain knowledge in technology policy, urban development, and/or water-sanitation in India.
• Has excellent executive writing skills with the ability to be brief and concise.
• Has experience assisting with fundraising efforts, including but not limited to preparing and editing fundraising proposals and engaging with prospective donors.
• Must have strong communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills, including very strong attention to detail.
• Must be very comfortable consistently engaging stakeholders in India outside of traditional work hours, including early mornings and late nights.
• Must have technology sufficient to work from home, including a mobile phone (a laptop will be provided by CSIS).
• Strong research and executive writing skills.
• Experience handling administrative tasks in all/most of the following: budgeting, expense reporting, scheduling, travel coordination and event logistics.
• Must be eligible to work in Washington, DC and commit at least 35 hours per week.
• Must be willing to travel to India approximately two times per year for project-related work, including travel to India’s state capitals.
• Must have demonstrated experience managing competing priorities and multiple projects under tight deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in Hindi and/or an additional Indian language.
• Some experience with working with artificial intelligence tools, Salesforce, Asana and/or Concur.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to multiple part-time senior leaders, including scheduling, expense reporting, coordinating travel, and light research related to EPA “mini projects”.
• Organize events, including implementing a series of public and private, in-person and virtual events to raise awareness and visibility on emerging policy issues, and conducting event outreach to ensure audience participation.
• Build projects by working with senior leaders to prepare and submit project proposals to potential donors in the EPAs.
• Find and engage partners, including trade associations, government agencies, multilateral development agencies, NGOs, the private sector, and other groups, to determine co-benefits for collaboration and gather contact information for prospective donors.
• Organize study visits to India, including coordinating travel for senior experts and organizing meetings with Indian officials to support early engagement on EPAs.
• Perform other duties as assigned as project needs shift.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees