Program Manager - Human Rights Initiative (HRI) - CSIS 

Building on the results of CSIS’s 2020 strategic review, the Center as a whole works to execute a vision of the future of national security in the 21st century that is not limited to a focus on military strength and hard power, but requires a greater, sustained focus on economics, technology, development, and human rights issues. As Washington’s preeminent national security think tank, the Center and the HRI leverage expertise across more than 50 program areas to deliver a comprehensive approach to the most challenging problems. A strictly bipartisan institution, CSIS maintains relationships and credibility across the political divide that significantly broadens the reach and impact of its work.

The Human Rights Initiative works to make the case that the promotion of human rights and related values are critical components of effective U.S foreign policy and national security decision-making—and that such efforts reinforce, rather than undermine, other key priorities. The HRI deploys its unique convening power to bring in voices from governments as well as the private sector, international organizations, and civil society to present diverse perspectives and help build holistic solutions to the most persistent global challenges.

The CSIS Human Rights Initiative is seeking an energetic and innovative Program Manager to assume a management role under the program director on all program components.

The Program Manager will be responsible for managing HRI operations and research projects, including grant and budget management; stakeholder outreach and program development; event planning and logistics; and administrative support.

The Program Manager will also contribute substantively to the program through background research (including drafting background documents, drafting questions for public events and private roundtables) and by contributing their input in both internal and external meetings regarding the strategic direction of the program, potential new focus areas and project opportunities, and on other topics as needed. This individual will also manage program interns and other junior staff. The Program Manager can act as the director’s proxy on administrative aspects of the program.

The annual salary for this position is $58,000-$65,000.

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

• Manages the day-to-day operations of the program’s projects and provides assistance to the project’s director, senior fellow and other related staff.

• Organizes public and private events, conferences, and workshops related to the project.

• Coordinates the publication of new analysis and content for the project.

• Represents the project vis-à-vis other research programs and functional support offices within CSIS and vis-à-vis external stakeholders in government, the private sector, and the non-profit community in the United States and elsewhere.

• Manages external communications, including development and maintenance of contacts databases, responding to donor and partner inquiries, sending of event invitations, and dissemination of project publications in all formats.

• Contribute to external and internal outreach by developing promotional materials, written materials for the web, and designing strategic communication plans.

• Manage day-to-day office operations.

• Manage program and project finances including all project-related budgets, day-to-day expense management, and preparation for internal budget reviews.

• Draft program correspondence, MOUs, and other official agreements.

• Support senior program staff, including through logistics, scheduling, and program communication and collaboration with other CSIS departments and operations.

• Support recruitment, hire, and manage program interns.

• Assist in compiling background research materials and in the development of fact sheets, talking points, questions for events, and developing ideas for fundraising proposals.

• Other administrative and research tasks as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.

• Minimum 2 years of related experience in program/project management, including budget or grant management.

• Superior communication skills, good judgment, and ability to anticipate needs.

• Excellent organization, time management, and attention to detail, and able to juggle multiple tasks with minimal supervision.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from constituency groups, media, governmental entities, and the general public in multiple formats (in person, via email, etc.).

• Ability to work closely with a range of individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

• Ability to operate independently and with team members while under pressure and in a fast-paced environment is essential.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate-level study of international relations, human rights, or a related field.

• Experience managing US government grants and projects.

• Knowledge of US foreign policy, human rights norms, and global issues.

• Interest in at minimum one of HRI’s core focus areas.

• Event management experience and ability to work with high-level VIP audiences.

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.

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

403(b) for retirement planning

Tuition Assistance

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account

Military Leave

12 Paid Holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Interested applicants should submit:

• A 1-2 page cover letter followed by a 1-2 page resume in a single PDF document. Please title the document “[Your name] cover letter and resume”.

• A writing sample (up to 5 pages; may be an excerpt from a longer piece) on a human rights-related topic. Please title the document “[Your name] writing sample”

Applications should be submitted via careers.csis.org. Please do not submit additional materials (references, transcripts) etc. These will be requested if needed during the interview process.

To submit an application for this position, click the “Apply” button below, and you will be redirected to our secure recruitment portal.