Senior Fellow - Middle East Program

Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance Short-term and long‑ter

403(b) for retirement planning

Tuition Assistance

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account

12 Paid Holidays

Sick Leave

Vacation leave

Job summary

CSIS, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, is seeking a full-time Senior Fellow for the Middle East Program. The role emphasizes leadership in research, strategy, and engagement with policymakers, media, and donors.

They will develop initiatives advancing the program’s pillars, mentor staff, and oversee day-to-day operations while delivering high-quality scholarship and public policy impact.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies, International Affairs, Political Science, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of professional and research experience in Middle Eastern affairs.
• A minimum of two years’ experience studying or working in the Middle East.
• Demonstrated understanding of the policy process in the United States and abroad.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research in at least one regional language (Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian).
• Demonstrated success with grant proposals and fundraising.
• A record of research, writing, and communicating about the Middle East in clearly understandable terms.
• Superior oral communication and briefing skills and professional poise.
• Demonstrated success working in highly collaborative, team-based environments, with a commitment to professional development and mentoring.
• Experience planning and leading events and/or conferences.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Research Leadership: advise on Middle East policy and develop a robust research agenda.
• Contributes to thought leadership and strategic guidance for the Middle East Program.
• Conceptualizes, develops, and executes original research projects, individually or with the Director.
• Produces in-depth reports, book chapters, journal articles, and other written materials.
• Outreach and Engagement: develops new funding opportunities with the Director.
• Engages media, policymakers, and stakeholders to provide insight on expertise areas.
• Leads expert groups, moderates discussions, and represents the CSIS Middle East Program publicly.
• Provides mentorship and support for personnel management of program staff.

Education

Master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies, International Affairs, Political Science, or a related field

Job description

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

The Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) unpacks the complex dynamics of the region’s emerging order through the “Middle East Emerging Order Initiative” founded on four strategic pillars focused on key diplomatic, economic, security, and stabilization trends in the region.

The CSIS Middle East program is currently seeking candidates for a full-time, paid senior fellow. Under the supervision of the Middle East Program Director, the senior fellow will contribute to and sustain a broad intellectual agenda in accord with the strategic pillars of the program and maintain a high level of scholarship in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. The senior fellow will work on several projects simultaneously, respond to ad-hoc requests from various stakeholders (media, donors and external stakeholders) and support on the day-to-day management of the program. They will need to be a team player and contribute to the broader work of the program, as well as develop their own initiatives that advance the program’s strategic pillars.

CSIS staff mostly work downtown at our office in DC. All candidates must be legally eligible to work in the United States.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategy and Research Leadership

• Serve s as a key adviser to the Middle East Program D irector on Middle East policy , including by helping to develop a robust research agenda on key diplomatic, economic, security, and stabilization trends in the region
• Contributes to thought leadership and strategic guidance for the Middle East Program
• Conceptualizes, develops, and executes original research projects, both individually and in collaboration with the Director
• Produces in depth and influential reports, book chapters, journal articles, commentaries, and other written materials

Outreach and Engagement

• Develops new funding opportunities in collaboration with the Director
• Engages with the news media, policymakers, corporate stakeholders, the public, and other scholars to provide insight into areas of expertise
• Plays a leadership role in convening expert groups, moderating discussions, and representing the CSIS Middle East Program publicly
• Provides proactive and creative mentorship and support for personnel management of program staff

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE

• A master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies, International Affairs, Political Science, or a related field required
• At least 10 years of professional and research experience in Middle Eastern affairs
• A minimum of two years’ experience studying or working in the Middle East
• Demonstrated understanding of the policy process in the United States and abroad
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research in at least one regional language (Arabic, Hebrew, or Persian)
• Demonstrated success with grant proposals and fundraising
• A record of research, writing, and communicating about the Middle East in clearly understandable terms
• Superior oral communication and briefing skills and professional poise
• Demonstrated success working in highly collaborative, team-based environments, with a commitment to professional development and mentoring
• Experience planning and leading events and/or conferences
• Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and time management skills

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
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Sick Leave
• Vacation leave

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

A resume detailing relevant experience and publication history is required. Please title the document "[Your name] resume".

Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. CSIS reserves the right to close the application at any time.

Salary Range

$135,000 - $165,000 USD

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer.