Global Policy Fellow

Minimum Qualifications for This Position:

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful transformation of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict – away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. With nearly 1000 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The Global Affairs and Partnerships (GAP) team supports Search’s institutional relationships, both in policy and business development. GAP works with donors, policymakers, NGOs, for-profit organizations, and academics to advance the peacebuilding field and Search’s interests around the world.

Summary of the Position:

The Global Policy Fellow will work with Search’s Global Affairs and Partnerships (GAP) team as part of a one-year policy research fellowship. In this role, the Global Policy Fellow will conduct research, analysis, and writing to promote peacebuilding and conflict transformation as effective tools for policymakers to address conflict. The Global Policy Fellow will develop and conduct policy-relevant research on Search’s conflict geographies in Africa and other priority topics. The Global Policy Fellow will be responsible for writing a range of policy research products, including but not limited to policy research papers, briefs, and op-eds, and will be expected to produce high quality deliverables in a timely manner. The Global Policy Fellow will work in collaboration with Search’s GAP, institutional learning, regional, and country teams.

This position is open only for candidates with expected undergraduate commencement between December 2020 and June 2021

Successful candidates must be exemplary writers who are adept at working in a fast-paced office environment. Applications are especially encouraged from candidates with a strong interest in evidence-based advocacy and policy writing. The Global Policy Fellow will be full-time and paid a salary with benefits. The position will be based in Washington, DC and commence in July 2021 and proceed for one year, without the possibility of renewal.

Responsibilities for this position:

• Conduct desk and in-person research on existing peacebuilding policy advocacy efforts and responses to them in specific country cases and on peacebuilding themes
• Conduct desk and in-person research on conflict dynamics and opportunities for peacebuilding engagement in priority conflict geographies and peacebuilding themes
• Support and carry out policy research plans, methodologies, analysis, and writing
• Develop policy recommendations for target audiences in Washington, DC, New York, Brussels, London, and/or other policy hubs
• Prepare reports, white papers, and policy documents
• Represent Search in external meetings and events

Minimum Qualifications for This Position:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject
• Familiarity with operational peacebuilding and conflict transformation organizations
• Demonstrably strong English writing and editing skills
• Demonstrable experience conducting independent research and producing written analysis
• Fluency in English
• Highly organized with excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work across teams and handle competing deadlines
• Must have current work authorization for the United States through July 2022
• Graduated from undergraduate between December 2020 and June 2021

The ideal candidate will further exhibit:

• Fluent French-speaking ability preferred