USA: Research Associate, Environmental Security Program

Mar 19, 2022 | Stimson Center
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The Henry L. Stimson Center, a nonpartisan policy research center, seeks a highly-motivated individual to join the team as a full-time Research Associate for the Environmental Security program. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated interest in the intersection between security and natural resource scarcity, including marine fisheries and wildlife trafficking , loss of ocean biodiversity, and interconnected climate change risks to communities. The candidate will also adopt our "research to action model" and show a strong commitment to develop innovative solutions enhance sustainable ocean management, combat illegal fishing and natural resource trafficking globally and build climate resilience where it is most needed.

The Environmental Security program explores the suite of environmental threats, both human and natural, that have the potential to undermine national, regional, or global security. The increasingly complex and transnational drivers of environmental challenges compromise ecological, economic, energy, and food security and ultimately can foster destabilization and geopolitical tension. Through its engagement with unconventional stakeholders, the Environmental Security program studies natural resource loss and climate risk and works to identify the roots of these threats to peace and stability and devise innovative actions and solutions to address them.

The Environmental Security team is a bright, fun, and energetic group who work together to enact constructive change for the future. We enjoy brainstorming sessions, are open to new ideas and solution-oriented thinking. We value each other's ideas and aspirations and work to achieve greatness both individually and as a team.

The Associate will contribute to the program's overall mission to foster a better understanding of the growing impact of environmental challenges on national, regional, and global security and devise policies and solutions for implementation with partners around the world.

Duties

  • Working with the Program Director and partners, conduct research on the impacts of illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing by distant water fishing fleets in coastal states around the world.
  • Collaborate with and support NGO partners in efforts to expand seafood transparency domestically and align seafood traceability programs in major seafood market states.
  • Working with the Program Director, draft memoranda and recommendations on seafood transparency and IUU fishing for a broad group of stakeholders.
  • Assist in drafting articles, op-eds, and reports to help communicate the Environmental Security team's message to a variety of stakeholders.
  • Support the program's social media presence and other communications.
  • Help organize, design, and prepare for public events and meetings with stakeholders.
  • Represent the Environmental Security program with stakeholders, including governmental agencies and bodies, the private sector and nongovernmental organizations.
  • Manage consultants and interns.
  • Attend meetings with the Program Director and prepare agendas, briefing memos, and talking points.
  • Organize and participate in domestic and foreign travel.
  • Support funding proposal and budget development.
  • Be current on environmental security issues to help inform program activities.
  • Work in a crosscutting manner with other Stimson programs.
  • Provide administrative support to the Director.
  • Perform other tasks as needed.

Qualifications

  • Demonstrated interest in international security, ocean resource management (including but not limited to fisheries), climate change issues and non-traditional security threats related to global security and international environmental policy.
  • A Master's degree and a minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience.
  • Track record of writing and editing on topics related to global security, natural resources (fisheries a plus), environment, and development policy.
  • Strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines and priorities.
  • Demonstrated analytical, critical thinking, and research skills.
  • Have an innovative spirit and drive and the ability to work at a rapid pace.
  • Enjoy working in a team, pitch-in when needed, show flexibility in operations and appreciate the need for a sense of humor.
  • Full competency in Microsoft Office suite.
  • Experience with quantitative analysis.
  • French and/or Mandarin language skills a plus.
  • Experience with GIS is a plus, though not required

To apply: Submit cover letter, resume, and a writing sample in a single PDF document.

Stimson is an equal opportunity employer that celebrates, supports, and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable laws.