National Security Network Internship SPRING 2024

Internship Opportunities

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a nonpartisan policy institute dedicated exclusively to promoting pluralism, defending democratic values, and fighting the ideologies that threaten democracy. The organization was founded shortly after 9/11 by a group of visionary philanthropists and policymakers to engage in the worldwide war of ideas and to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by terrorism and militant Islamism. FDD combines policy research, investigative journalism, strategic communications, and democracy and counterterrorism education.

About FDD’s Internship Program

Based in downtown Washington, D.C., the Foundation for Defense of Democracies has a number of fall internship opportunities available. All FDD interns will have the opportunity to participate in a twice-monthly speaker series, which brings high-level DC officials and senior staff members to engage with interns in an intimate setting. FDD interns will be encouraged to build on their academic skills by working closely with senior staff. FDD is also happy to assist students who wish to earn academic credit for this internship. All internships are unpaid.

*Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. It is recommended that interested candidates submit applications early here: https://www.fdd.org/jobs-and-internships/. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The National Security Network

• The National Security Network is seeking a full-time or part-time intern with an interest in national security, US foreign policy, the US-Israel relationship, and professional development. Interns will have the opportunity to attend exclusive high-level NSN events and roundtable discussions, as well as network with FDD experts and rising mid-career national security practitioners. More information may be found here: https://www.fdd.org/projects/national-security-network/

Responsibilities

• Assisting on a wide array of research initiatives including current U.S. national security trends, and current events and national security challenges in Israel
• Drafting remarks for FDD experts
• Helping plan national security trips to Israel
• Coordinating event logistics and staffing NSN events
• Assisting with program management for NSN programs
• Assisting with research initiatives including current U.S. national security trends and current events/national security challenges in Israel
• Miscellaneous market research projects

Skills

• Strong organizational skills and should be able to juggle many different projects simultaneously
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proactive problem solvers with a keen attention to detail
• Knowledge of US national security and current events in Israel and the region
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word and Excel
• Smartsheet experience is a plus

*Please note that applicants must be available to attend and assist with several evening NSN events. The NSN Intern will be expected to work in FDD’s office at least twice a week.

Eligibility

• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Should have a relevant course of study and have completed coursework in any of the following fields: International Relations, Security Studies, History, Communications, Journalism, International Economics, Political Science. Computer science, and/or a relevant STEM field of study.
• Interns should have knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, as well as basic Excel skills.
• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Application Materials Required

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover letter (Please review our website and include which FDD projects and issue areas resonate with you and why. Also indicate where you found this internship and your availability for the semester.)
3. Writing Sample (no more than 3 pages)
4. Unofficial transcript copy

Please specify the department(s) for which you would like to be considered (feel free to indicate preferences) in your cover letter. While you may use the same cover letter for multiple positions, please submit a separate application for each position of interest.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.