Fellow-Global Food Security Program

JOB SUMMARY:

At CSIS we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.

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 some 200 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The CSIS Global Food Security Program (Program) serves as an independent forum for analysis on food security in the United States and globally. By engaging practitioners, scholars, and policymakers in and outside Washington, D.C., the Program aims to increase the level of dialogue on food security, propose original policy solutions, and encourage political will to address today’s challenges. The program conducts original research and writing and hosts public and private events on issues relevant to domestic and global food security.

The CSIS Global Food Security Program is expanding its portfolio on water security as it relates to agricultural production and food security worldwide. This work will focus on water security and food security outside the United States, though the work will be informed by ongoing challenges and responses to water insecurity and food insecurity in the United States.

CSIS is seeking a Fellow to help drive the Program’s research agenda on water security and food security, and to serve as the Program’s primary researcher, writer, and coordinator on substantive projects regarding water security and food security—a role central to the success of the Program’s expanding portfolio on this issue area. Research will primarily focus on the coherence of U.S. policies and programs regarding global food security and global water security. Research and writing will concern the importance of water security to household-level food security in low- and middle-income countries, the potential of U.S. global food security and global water security policies and programs to improve water security and food security in urban areas, and the consideration of food insecurity and water insecurity as instigators of unrest. Research may expand to address other issues related to water security, beyond agriculture and food security, to include health, energy security, climate change, global economic development, and financial instruments to incentivize water-secure practices. The Fellow also contributes to the successful management and execution of all aspects of the Program’s activities. The Fellow reports to the CSIS Global Food Security Program Director.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a strong record of research regarding global water security, particularly as it relates to global food security; have experience in some aspect of global water security policy; have excellent writing skills; exhibit a positive approach toward collaboration within the Program’s small but highly cooperative and productive team; and be enthusiastic about professional opportunities offered through employment at CSIS, including the potential for growth in this position within the Global Food Security Program.

The minimum salary for this position is $85,000.00.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

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

• Plans, coordinates, and executes public (in-person, hybrid, and online) and private (in-person, hybrid, and online) events in support of the Program’s research on water security and food security; moderates panels and provides remarks in public and private events in place of the Program Director, as needed.
• Leads a dynamic research portfolio with minimal supervision by:
• Contributing to the grant proposal process in order to secure support and funding for new program initiatives.
• Helping prepare the Program Director for public appearances, briefings, and events.
• Performs other managerial functions on an ad-hoc basis, including the preparation and oversight of project budgets and other select management-related tasks.
• Coordinating the design, layout, copyediting, and distribution of program publications. Includes editing and fact-checking program materials with a critical perspective and strong attention to detail.
• Conducting original qualitative and quantitative research on a variety of dynamic, complex topics related to water security and food security and drafting original products, including essays, policy briefs, and digital reports.
• Represents Program by participating in cross-Center projects, Center-wide activities, and outside meetings.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Demonstrated ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research on dynamic, complex topics independently and on deadline.
• Comfort managing a wide-ranging set of responsibilities under tight deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a small team, including working closely with a range of individuals with diverse interests, backgrounds, seniority, and dispositions.
• M.A/M.S. or other post-graduate degree in a field relevant to water security and food security, e.g., public policy, economics, international relations, international development, public administration, water security studies, food security studies, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to write coherent policy reports and short analyses independently, on deadline, and in clear language for a policy audience.
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in U.S. or international water security policy, e.g., with U.S. government departments and agencies, Congress, multilateral organizations, nongovernmental organizations, or academic institutions.
• Highly professional verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS:

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.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit a résumé, cover letter, and 2 500-1000 word writing samples, as separate PDF documents at https://careers.csis.org/. Applicants must correctly submit the requested documentation in order to be considered. Other materials submitted will not be reviewed. mailto:[email protected] more information on the Global Food Security Program please visit: https://www.csis.org/programs/global-food-security-program.

Required Skills
Required Experience