Research Assistant, Higher Education

U.S. Institute of Peace; Washington (Washington County); Hybrid; USD 24,108 - 25,485; Part time

Job summary

A public institution is looking for a dedicated Research Assistant to support Civic Engagement efforts. Responsibilities include conducting outreach research, supporting initiatives for professors and students, and maintaining databases. Ideal candidates are current full-time Undergraduate or Masters students in related fields, possessing strong communication and research skills. Compensation ranges from $17.50 to $18.50 per hour, with a start date in November 2024.

Qualifications

• Ability to prepare drafts quickly and write accessibly.
• Analyze research based on guidance and summarize findings.
• Ability to track contacts and relationships using databases.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research for outreach to diverse audiences.
• Support HEE initiatives and programs for students and professors.
• Update databases and map connections.

Skills

Excellent written communication skills

Strong research skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Content creation on social media (LinkedIn)

Experience with databases

Previous office experience

Education

Current, full-time Undergraduate or Masters student

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Peace is our commitment. The United States Institute of Peace represents the American people’s shared values and commitment to peace worldwide. We know that Peace is Security – it advances both U.S. and international security by preventing, managing, and mitigating violent conflict.

We are an independent, non-partisan institution and are actively engaged with peacebuilding efforts worldwide. Together we tackle the most challenging problems and hold fast to the possibility of a more peaceful world. To learn more about USIP programs and job openings, go to https://www.usip.org/about/careers.

If you have a passion for making the world a better place and want to have a front-row seat on the world stage, USIP is the place for you.

BRIEF

The Higher Education Engagement (HEE) team is hiring a research assistant (RA) to support its work within USIP’s Civic Engagement and Scholarship (CES) Unit. HEE programmatic work is grounded in USIP’s role as a public institution and its congressional mandate to serve as a resource for the American public. HEE compliments the longstanding work of Public Engagement and Scholastic Competitions by focusing on the higher education community of colleges, universities, and higher education associations. HEE seeks to enhance awareness within the higher education community about the Institute’s resources for research, programming, and training.

Pay: $17.50 - $18.50

Expected Start Date: November 2024

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct research in support of the team’s outreach to diverse domestic audiences, including identifying avenues for reaching new audiences and expanding USIP’s contacts and relationships across the U.S.
• Support existing HEE initiatives, including programs for professors and university students, onsite engagements at USIP’s headquarters, and overall expansion of HEE’s work.
• Provide support for the team’s work to track contacts and relationships across the country, including updating databases and mapping connections.
• Assist in HEE’s research initiative exploring how public institutions work alongside higher education institutions in the promotion and development of global peace.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent written communication skills – the ability to prepare drafts quickly, and to write in an accessible way for non-expert audiences.
• Strong research skills – the ability to find information quickly, to analyze based on guidance and priorities, and to summarize and synthesize findings in useful formats.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including good humor and sound judgement.
• Prior experience creating content on social media (LinkedIn) is preferred.
• Experience with databases that track contacts and relationships is highly desirable; experience with Salesforce is especially useful.
• Previous work experience in a fast-paced office environment is required.
• Candidates must be a current, full-time Undergraduate or Masters student studying higher education, international and comparative education, public policy, communications, peace and justice, conflict resolution, international relations, or another related subject.

Although USIP’s Research Assistant program is administered through the Consortium of Universities in the Washington Metropolitan area, any full-time university student based in the U.S. is eligible for these positions.

All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.

Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:

• Resume
• Writing Sample

For questions about this position, please email [e-mail]. Do not send resumes or attachments to this email address.

Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted.

No Phone Calls. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment only.

USIP is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of USIP to offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliations or belief, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.