Program Assistant, Critical Threats Project

The Critical Threats Project (CTP) at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is seeking a full-time, in-person program assistant. The person in this role should have a strong interest in advancing American national security and deterring threats to the US from Iran, the Salafi-jihadi movement, and great-power competition in the Middle East and Africa. He or she helps the program associate fulfill CTP operations and support a team of eight analysts, one portfolio manager, and one research manager. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

Major responsibilities include assisting with CTP’s business functions, such as marketing and communications coordination, recordkeeping, and managing information technology; providing administrative support to the CTP director and program associate; maintaining existing processes and developing new ones to publish and promote content, including for CTP’s social media strategy; facilitating collaboration with other AEI teams and the Institute for the Study of War; and measuring the project’s impact. A successful candidate will have a solutions-oriented attitude amid challenges and seek opportunities to develop CTP’s existing operations and expand them in new directions.

About CTP

CTP’s objective is to inform and educate policymakers, the intelligence and military communities, and all interested citizens who need to understand the nuance and scale of threats to America’s security.

Operations (35 Percent)

• Support the program associate with ongoing and new CTP operations—including regular tasks, long-term endeavors, and special projects—that enable CTP’s research functions and promote its publications, which cover crises around the world.
• Identify potential efficiencies in existing processes and execute plans to achieve them.
• Support the development of information technology and cybersecurity education and policies.
• Support CTP’s intern program (which includes 11 interns across three terms per year): Facilitate intern onboarding and off-boarding, prepare logistical plans and training materials, and manage CTP professional development activities, including mock interviews and cross-organization events with the Institute for the Study of War.

Communications and External Relations (50 Percent)

• Collaborate with the program associate to develop and execute external relations strategies that increase CTP products’ web performance and expand the project’s engagement on social media and in key policy debates.
• Measure the performance of CTP products and social media posts; collaborate with the program associate and team leads to strategize ways to improve product performance generally and among key constituencies.
• Plan original and synthetic content for social media, audio platforms, and newsletters; contribute to and expand CTP’s short-form video series.
• Curate content on org, collaborate with the IT department on website maintenance and security, and maintain website pages to ensure optimal performance.
• Monitor the information space to identify areas of potential advantage for CTP to exploit with special publications and other targeted content.
• Coordinate with AEI’s Design, Development, Editing, Events, and Government Relations departments on the project’s external marketing and engagement strategies.
• Support the production of CTP publications.
• Partner with teammates to post publications on org in the evening. (Posting occurs on a rotational basis among staff for an average of one evening per week, and occasionally on weekends.)

Additional Responsibilities (15 Percent)

• Collaborate with the program associate in supervising CTP’s communications and operations intern.
• Provide additional support to the CTP director as required.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
  
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
  
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
  
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
  
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Candidates should have the following:

•  A bachelor’s degree in international relations, history, Middle East studies, public or business administration, or a similar field
•  0–2 years of professional experience in an operational role, preferably at a nonprofit or similar organization
• A demonstrated interest in project management, including taking the initiative to identify, plan, and execute new projects
• A demonstrated interest in external relations, social media, or marketing
• A desire and willingness to learn and the ability to learn new programs or skills without assistance
• The ability to handle multiple tasks and balance competing priorities and deadlines
• Systematic thinking and an appropriate level of assertiveness, with excellent interpersonal skills
• Meticulous attention to detail and superb organizational skills
• A mission-oriented attitude and comfort working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong technical skills, including advanced proficiency in Adobe products, Microsoft Office, and X
• An interest in international relations and national security
• An interest in Iran, the Middle East, Africa, and the Salafi-jihadi movement (highly preferred)

Benefits
AEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a 12% contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $50,000 - $54,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.