Spring Intern, Africa Program

Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc. (CSIS) in Washington, DC is seeking an analytical and detail-oriented Intern for its Africa Program.

The role prioritizes social media activities, the Into Africa podcast, and maintaining contact lists, with strong emphasis on research support and event preparation. The internship runs January 2027 to early June 2027, requires 35 hours per week, and welcomes candidates with a relevant degree or in progress.

Qualifications

• Pursuing or completed degree in African Studies, Political Science, International Relations, History, Public Policy, International Development, or related fields.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Must commit to 35 hours per week.
• Experience using social media platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Experience using Canva.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office products.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to, edit, and produce high-quality written materials with policy focus.
• Superior attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• A firm understanding or interest in Africa-U.S. policy.

Responsibilities

• Publicizing the program’s publications and events regularly using social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn).
• Drafting questions, editing, and publicizing the Africa Program’s Into Africa podcast.
• Creating and distributing mailings in Pardot.
• Developing and managing the program’s social media presence.
• Providing research support to Africa Program staff.
• Compiling research into literature reviews, summaries, and short publications.
• Maintaining databases of stakeholders and contacts.
• Assisting with event planning and staffing.
• Monitoring news and developments in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Performing a variety of administrative tasks.

Skills

Social media management

Research

Written communication

Attention to detail

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or in progress in related field

Tools

Canva

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 CSIS Africa Program is looking for an analytical and detail-oriented individual to serve as an Intern. The Africa Program works with diverse stakeholders to identify, elevate, and address strategic challenges and opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. The key focus areas include Africa’s evolving security and governance landscape; financing Africa’s future; and the rise of new foreign partners in the region.

This internship position prioritizes the program’s social media activities, the publication of the Into Africa bi-weekly podcast series, and maintaining the Africa program contact lists. Preference will be given to candidates who possess extensive work experience using social media platforms. The intern will also assist with ongoing research, assisting in creating materials for events and publications, preparing briefing materials for the Director and Research Assistant ahead of meetings, and providing other administrative support as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Publicizing the program’s publications and events regularly using various social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
• Aiding in the drafting of questions, editing, and publicizing of the Africa Program’s ‘Into Africa’ podcast.
• Creating and distributing mailings in Pardot.
• Developing and managing the program’s social media presence.
• Providing research support to Africa Program staff.
• Compiling research and data into literature reviews, summaries, backgrounders, and short publications to support the program’s research portfolio.
• Maintaining and improving databases of stakeholders and contacts.
• Assisting with event planning, including drafting invitation letters, conducting background research, drafting questions, and staffing events.
• Monitoring and reporting on news and developments in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Performing a variety of administrative tasks as needed.

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:

Strong candidates will be able to commit to a full‑time internship (35 hours/week) from January 2027 to early June 2027, and possess the following attributes:

• A. (completed or in progress) Degree in African Studies, Political Science, International Relations, History, Public Policy, International Development, or other relevant fields preferred.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States
• Must be able to commit to 35 hours a week
• Experience in professional settings using social media platforms including LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter required
• Experience using Canva required
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office products is required
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to, edit, and produce high-quality written materials, ideally analytical reports with policy recommendations
• Superior attention to detail as well as organizational and coordination skills.
• Must have strong communication skills
• A firm understanding and/or interest in African security, economic, and political issues and Africa‑U.S. policy is preferred
• Ability to interact with and respond to questions from a range of individuals with diverse interests, backgrounds, and dispositions.

Salary Range:

$18.40 - $20.40 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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc.’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.