Social Media and Communications Intern - Global Food Security Program (Spring 2022)

At CSIS we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.

The CSIS Global Food Security Program serves as an independent forum for analysis. By engaging practitioners, scholars, and policymakers in Washington, D.C. and beyond, the program aims to increase the level of dialogue surrounding food security and to help develop policy solutions and political will to address today’s challenges. The program analyzes food insecurity in the United States and globally, conducts original research and writing, and hosts public and private events on issues relevant to domestic and global food security. Special areas of focus include urbanization in developing countries, climate change, equity in U.S. food systems, and food security among U.S veterans and military families.

For more information on the Global Food Security Program please visit https://www.csis.org/programs/global-food-security-program.

CSIS seeks a full-time Communications and Social Media Intern to provide administrative, strategic communications, and social media support to the Global Food Security Program. The intern will be an integral part of a small team and will often be required to complete tasks in short timeframes. This position prioritizes the program’s social media and promotional activities, with research and writing occasionally involved. Demonstrated interest in food security or related field required.

The intern will work closely with the Program Manager in managing communications around program publications and the program’s social media platforms. Of particular importance will be the intern’s role in enhancing the Program’s use and presence on relevant social media platforms, as well as in the editing of and development of promotional materials for the program’s podcast, Reset the Table. Tasks may also include prepping background information on food security experts and organizations ahead of meetings, media engagements, and events. The Communications and Social Media Intern will also provide administrative support to the program, including supporting private and public events and assisting the coordination of scheduling and calendars. CSIS focuses on providing interns with an educational experience that will serve them in their future career, and the Global Food Security program places a great emphasis on mentorship and professional development. Interns will also be encouraged to pitch additional projects they would like to focus on.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following

• Innovate GFSP’s use of social media and facilitate social media growth.

• Aid in scheduling/recording, content editing, and publicizing of the GFSP podcast.

• Draft tweet language and visual materials to publicize the program’s publications and events on a regular basis on Twitter.

• Track engagement data to create and maintain an effective social media strategy

• Monitor media for events and trends in food security on a daily basis.

• Maintain and update program data, including research materials, program mailing lists, and media.

• Provide general administrative support for program staff.

• Assist in the management of calendars and scheduling of high-level meetings.

• Assist in event planning, outreach, and day-of coordination for events.

• Contribute to preparatory research for media and/or publications.

• Attend events and meetings and compile notes to share with program staff.

• Familiarity and experience with social media platforms in professional settings. Podcast editing/production and graphic design experience are a plus.

• Ability to work both independently and as a cohesive member of a small team.

• Comfort working in a virtual setting, including managing concurrent tasks with minimal supervision under tight deadlines and quick turnarounds.

• Strong professional communication and interpersonal skills.

• Impeccable attention to detail and coordination skills.

• Eligible to work in the United States

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree and/or one to two years of experience.

• At least a 3.3 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited U.S. institution, or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution.

• Academic or professional experience in food security or related field is encouraged, but not required.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Performances of duties require the use of hands to finger, handle, or feel. The job frequently requires ability to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

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.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Candidates who are able to work on-site are encouraged to apply.

The program is looking to hire someone available to work from January to June 2022. The intern is expected to work five days a week, Monday through Friday, for a total of 35 hours. The hired candidate will be paid hourly, commensurate with experience ($15.20/hour for current undergraduate hires, $16.20/hour for hires with a Bachelor’s degree, and $17.20/hour for hires with a Master’s degree). There is an opportunity to complete this internship for institutional credit.

All materials should be submitted by November 28th, 2021.

Interested applicants should submit

1. A resume and cover letter as two separate, clearly labeled PDF documents.

2. An example of promotional materials that you would create for a Global Food Security Program publication. This could be for a report, an event, or a podcast episode. The submission should include a sample Twitter post (max 280 characters) and a visual using Adobe Photoshop/Canva. Please submit this as a PDF document.

3. A list of 3 references (including reference’s name, title, affiliation, email address, and phone number) as a separate Word document.

Applicants must correctly submit the requested documentation in order to be considered at https://careers.csis.org. Please submit using nomenclature such as [Last Name_First Name_Document type]. Other materials submitted will not be reviewed.