Research Assistant - Strategic Planning - CSIS 

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. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of approximately 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The Office of Development at CSIS is the organization’s central development team, responsible for Center-wide fundraising initiatives in support of CSIS’s policy research programs. The primary duty of the Research Assistant, Strategic Planning, in the Office of Development at CSIS is to conduct prospect research to identify potential individual, corporate, and foundation donors. In this role, the research assistant employs a variety of resources to advance the team’s prospecting efforts. The research assistant also writes, proofreads, edits, and compiles various technical materials, including readaheads, backgrounders, etc. In addition to their research duties, the research assistant is also responsible for administrative tasks, which may include tasks such as updating donor information in Salesforce, drafting letters, providing event support, among other duties that support CSIS’s fundraising initiatives.

The salary range for this position is $55,000-$65,000 based on experience.

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

Research (75%):

• Conducting prospect and contact research to help identify potential individual, corporate, and foundation donors using a variety of databases, such as Wealth-X, WealthEngine, Foundation Center, iWave, as well as other resources (news sites, etc.)

• Compiling prospective donor profiles

• Drafting, proofreading, editing, and compiling technical materials, including readaheads, background reports, donor briefs, proposals, and other reports related to development and fundraising

• Continually evaluating the Office of Development’s suite of research resources to ensure access to most comprehensive and updated information possible

• Other research projects as assigned to support strategic planning and fundraising efforts

Administrative Responsibilities (25%):

• Helping to maintain database of donors and prospects, including updating mailing information of donors and maintaining records of donor contacts in Salesforce

• Drafting annual request letters for corporate sponsors, which are crucial to securing funding for each fiscal year

• Drafting letters to acknowledge financial contributions to the Center

• Coordinating and providing logistical support in advance of, during, and after Corporate Roundtables, Global Update Calls, and other high-level Development meetings and events (including scheduling, preparing event spaces and materials, greeting guests, tracking RSVPs and attendance, etc.)

• Other duties as assigned to support the execution of CSIS’s corporate strategy and overall mission of the Office of Development

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution required, with at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)

• Must have prior qualitative and/or quantitative research experience

• Must possess excellent research, writing, editing and proofreading skills with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

• Strong judgment and discretion

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, along with ability to work well under deadlines and with competing tasks

• Keen attention to detail and highly organized

• Interest in international relations and foreign policy

• Experience in fundraising, think tanks, nonprofit management, communications, or marketing is a plus

• Knowledge of Salesforce or similar CRM applications is a plus

This position will be based out of our Washington DC headquarters and is expected to be in-office.

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.

OUR BENEFITS

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 cover letter, resume, and academic transcripts to https://careers.csis.org/.