Spring 2025 Research Trainee - Ukraine Reform Working Group - The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Reports To: Program Assistant, GMF’s Transatlantic Democracy Working Group

Job Summary:

GMF’s Transatlantic Democracy Working Group (TDWG) is seeking a part-time trainee for the period from January 2025 through April 2025 to assist with research on ongoing anti-corruption efforts within Ukrainian civil society. The trainee will support the TDWG team with essential operational, outreach, and administrative activities relating to Ukraine anti-corruption programming. Specifically, this role will assist with logistics, partner coordination, and research on reconstruction and resilience efforts led by civil society organizations in both Ukraine and the United States in light of the ongoing full-scale invasion.

Trainees will benefit from exposure to GMF’s experts and network, and will gain valuable research, analysis, and writing experience. If the trainee resides in the D.C., Maryland, or Virginia area, the traineeship will consist of both in-person and remote work. If the trainee resides outside of the D.C. area, the traineeship will be fully virtual. Only applicants who are graduating with a bachelor’s degree in the spring of 2025 will be considered.

The position could be structured to be compensated at a rate of $17.50 per hour or to receive academic credit. Trainees are offered an ideal opportunity to acquire substantive professional experience for those interested in a career in public policy or international affairs.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Coordinate TDWG networks of civil society coalitions in Ukraine and other Eastern European democracies
• Assist with planning of logistics of expert convenings, including coalition working group meetings, private roundtables, and public events in Washington, DC, abroad, or virtually
• Monitor political developments, civil society perspectives, and relevant policy issues in Ukraine and other embattled democracies, from Eastern Europe to the United States
• Provide research, writing, and editing support on TDWG publications related to Ukrainian civil society and political developments in the United States relating to Ukraine
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Excellent analytic and writing skills and previous research experience
• Knowledge of or demonstrable interest in issues of transatlantic democracy, Ukrainian anti-corruption reform efforts, and Eastern European or ex-Soviet civil society
• Undergraduate student pursuing a degree in International Relations, Regional Studies, Security Studies, or a related field—or a recent graduate of such a program
• Previous experience in a think tank, foundation, NGO, government body, media outlet, or similar organization preferred but not required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Comfortable multi-tasking and working independently
• Excellent writing, speaking, and editing skills in English
• Knowledge of Ukrainian preferred but not required

Start and Length of Traineeship:

• Preferred start and end: January 2025-April 2025
• Preferred time commitment: 10-15 hours per week, Monday–Friday between 9 AM to 5 PM (EST preferred)

GMF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We highly encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Historically, underrepresented groups include (but are not limited to) Black, Latinx/o/a/e, Indigenous, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, biracial, multiracial, female-identifying, the disability community, LGBTQIA+, and other marginalized identities.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At GMF we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role, but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may just be the right candidate for this or other roles at GMF.