Overview

The Atlantic Council seeks a talented, motivated, and creative program manager to support the work of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative. The ideal candidate will have expertise in the security and political dynamics of the Middle East through academic and work experience. The assistant/associate director will work closely with the Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative on all aspects of day-to-day program management. Previous experience working on Middle East policy in government, a think tank, or other NGO is highly desired.

The ideal candidate will be remarkably well-organized and detail-oriented and will have demonstrable administrative and communication experience. The assistant/associate director will also be involved in the substantive development of regional and thematic projects conducted by the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative.

The ideal candidate will be an excellent organizer and communicator, contributing to the development of project ideas and programs of work, overseeing projects from start to finish, and working with the Atlantic Council’s network of experts to produce research and analysis.

Specifically, the assistant director will lead the management of high-level events, manage publications, coordinate the activities of a network of global nonresident fellows, develop and track project budgets, and contribute to fundraising efforts and managing donor relations, among other responsibilities. The candidate will also be encouraged to engage in their own research and publishing.

A successful candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoy a fast-paced work environment. The position requires a superior ability to multitask with a record of coordinating multiple projects and events, excellent administrative skills, exceptional writing ability, attention to detail, and a positive attitude. Experience living in the region is a plus, as is proficiency in a Middle Eastern language.

Job responsibilities

• Work with the initiative director to develop a program of work and project concept notes;
• Oversee multiple projects (dialogue, research, convenings, travel, task forces, working groups, simulations, etc.) related to security in the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council countries;
• Manage a growing network on nonresident senior fellows and their activities;
• Implement roundtables and conferences related to the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative;
• Work closely with the Atlantic Council publications team to manage the editing process of articles and papers;
• Assist in drafting and editing various Atlantic Council publications and other writing projects for external publication, including journal articles, policy briefs, and op-eds;
• Contribute to Atlantic Council blogs with news aggregation, policy analysis, short articles, and blog postings;
• Serve as a liaison for internal and external offices including high-level US and foreign government officials, diplomats, business executives, board members, and internal Council employees and management;
• Prepare briefing materials and background memos for senior members of the organization as needed;
• Maintain and track project budgets and expenditures;
• Research potential donors, develop fundraising proposals, and work with the director to conduct business development for the initiative;
• Steward existing donors through regular communication, and prepare narrative and financial reports as needed.
• Manage weekly initiative meetings through virtual and in-person settings as appropriate;
• Draft weekly reports of the initiative’s activities, as well as regular communication to donors and stakeholders;
• Support other Middle East Program activities as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as Middle East affairs, international affairs, or security studies. Master’s degree is a plus;
• Approximately 2-4 years’ relevant work experience.
• Excellent organizational, logistical, and administrative skills;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Superior writing, communication, and analytic skills;
• Ability to represent the Atlantic Council to external constituencies, such as senior officials, board members, donors, and individual and corporate members;
• HTML and web skills are a plus.
• Demonstrable interest in the MENA region;
• Experience living, studying or working in the MENA region is highly desired, as is proficiency in a Middle Eastern language.