Internships and Jobs with IPS

Internships

Thank you for your interest in the Institute for Policy Studies fellowship and internship program. IPS is the nation's oldest and largest multi-issue think tank promoting progressive thought. As such, we have a number of "Public Scholars" with whom you can work to undertake challenging research, writing, and advocacy in a wide range of foreign and domestic policy issues.

Below you will find a descriptive list of IPS projects. Please take a few minutes to look this over so that you have an understanding of what IPS is about and can determine which projects best suit your interests. All internships are unpaid. If you have questions about the project, feel free to contact the project director. The project director may desire a follow-up interview in which to meet and discuss the project.

Summer Applicants: The last day to apply for a summer internship is May 5th. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, since projects may select interns throughout the application period.

Other Applicants: While IPS does not adhere to specific deadlines for application submissions, to ensure that your application is received, reviewed, and responded to in a timely manner please consider applying by or before the following dates: Spring Term (Feb 5th) | Summer Term (May 5th) | Fall Term (Aug 5th) | Winter Term (Oct 5th).

Incomplete applications will not be considered.You can follow up with project directors two weeks after submitting your application.

IPS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and encourages applications from people of color, women, and other groups that have historically been subject to discrimination.

If you have any questions, please email: info@ips-dc.org.

Read below to see the internship positions IPS offers. We look forward to hearing from you!

Internship Positions

Administrative Assistant

A great opportunity for a student in Business interested in learning the "nuts & bolts" of a Washington think tank. The Administrative Assistant intern handles office organization, phone communication and administrative tasks, but she or he also has the unique opportunity to interact with all the project coordinators at the Institute. A motivated intern will learn not only the mechanics of the operations of a policy institute, but will also become familiar with the many different projects and issues in which the nation's most progressive public scholars are engaged.

Break the Chain Campaign

The "Break the Chain Campaign" is a direct service/advocacy organization dedicated to the empowerment and protection of trafficked, enslaved and/or exploited workers. The Campaign's direct service work gives it the practical experience, case data and statistics to better inform the Campaign's advocacy work which, in turn, provides positive systemic change for trafficked, enslaved and/or exploited individuals. The Campaign's method is holistic - combining outreach, "escape" assistance, training, direct service, and legal representation to, by, and for workers with ongoing negotiations with international agencies and embassies as well as Congressional and legislative advocacy. Complete BTCC's separate internship application instead of the general IPS application.

Cities for Progress

Interns for this project will have the unique opportunity to work on Capitol Hill with Congressional offices as well as to be involved in networking with the nation's top progressive non-profit think tanks and advocacy groups. This project is one of the country's most vibrant and fastest growing coalition projects, aimed at uniting scholars, policy-makers, research institutions, grassroots, faith-based, labor and community groups behind a common progressive vision for the future. This project provides the opportunity to learn organizing skills, media and public relations skills, as well as to gain knowledge of policy and the operational aspects of our government. Applicants should have a strong commitment to progressive politics, some knowledge of domestic and foreign policy, and very strong computer skills. Additionally, applicants should be strong public speakers with professional attitudes and good self-motivation, and should be seeking organizing and coalition-building skills. Background in campus or community organizing a plus. Internship provides invaluable introduction to Washington's progressive political community.

Communications

IPS' communications office is responsible for generating press (print, broadcast, and online) and promoting IPS work among policy makers and the public. We seek interns for the following tasks: video production; social media outreach; and traditional print and broadcast outreach. Interns will assist with all areas of the department, including developing databases and media outreach strategies. They will assist in organizing events, press conferences and congressional briefings. An interest in press work and/or marketing will be helpful. Familiarity with Access a plus.

Drug Policy Project

The Drug Policy Project seeks to end the so-called "War on Drugs" by reaching out to non-traditional allies and employing innovative tactics to promote a sustainable, constitutional, and humane drug control policy. The project's mission is to help foster a paradigm shift replacing the punitive and coercive "social control model" of drug policy with a public health and community economic development model. By encouraging an interdisciplinary discussion concerning the myriad factors contributing to our social ills, we try to advance policies that address the root causes of the drug problem (such as decaying school systems, lack of inner city and rural jobs, shortage of affordable housing, lack of health care, and social alienation) rather than scapegoating the symptoms (addicts, street corner dealers, peasant drug grower overseas, etc.).

Foreign Policy In Focus

Foreign Policy In Focus (FPIF) provides timely analysis of U.S. foreign policy and international affairs and recommends policy alternatives. The project publishes commentaries, briefs, and reports and organizes briefings for the public, media, lawmakers, and legislative staff. Staff and other FPIF experts write for newspapers, magazines, and other online publications and author books on foreign policy and international affairs. Interns should have solid computer and on-line research skills, writing ability, student activist experience, and background/interest in several of the following areas: foreign policy, U.S. military policy, military spending, intelligence, terrorism, global justice, security, international development, international financial institutions and trade. Foreign language and overseas experience are helpful.

Global Economy Project

This project monitors the social and environmental impact of corporate-driven globalization and works to develop just and sustainable alternatives to the free trade model. In addition, the project produces an annual report on executive compensation. Interns are typically involved in research and writing to produce policy papers related to these issues. Summer interns conduct data analysis for the annual executive pay report. Math or finance background helpful. Complete GE's separate internship application instead of the general IPS application.

Inequality and the Common Good Project

The Program on Inequality and the Common Good focuses on the dangers that growing inequality pose for U.S. democracy, economic health and civic life. The Inequality and the Common Good Program maintains a racial wealth divide policy monitoring web portal that will highlight policy proposals which are important to bridging the racial wealth divide. We are looking for interns interested in progressive economic policy and bridging the racial wealth divide. The work will require staying on top of policy, in regards to the racial wealth divide, creating summaries of policy proposals and the possible benefits of said policy. Work will include keeping the racial wealth divide website portal up to date, and working with Dedrick Muhammad, coordinator of the Racial Wealth Divide project to advance the program on Inequality and the Common Good. We are looking for self-motivated individuals, who are computer savvy and experts at research, as well as interested in studying domestic economic issues, racism, classism, and social justice issues.

Jamaica Plain Forum

The Jamaica Plain Forum,a program of the Program on Inequality and the Common Good at IPS' Boston Office, is offering an unpaid internship in marketing/promotion, ideally 6-12 hours of work per week. This is a great opportunity to apply principles of marketing/promotion to a local community film and lecture series – and make a real contribution to the community. Responsibilities will include: 1) Marketing Plan. Evaluate our existing marketing and promotion strategies; develop new overall marketing plan for the coming year; 2) Branding: The intern will work with the Jamaica Plain Forum Director and Coordinator to develop a brand for the Jamaica Plain Forum for use on its website, in publicity, and on future merchandise materials. 3) Event Promotion: The intern will create and implement a promotional plan for each Jamaica Plain Forum event, including media alerts to Boston-area print media, e-mail blasts to contact lists, local leafleting and flier drops, and representation at local community festivals and gatherings. 4) Logistics: The intern will work with the Jamaica Plain Forum Coordinator to produce successful Jamaica Plain Forum events.

Please email resume and cover letter to: jamaicaplainforumsarah@gmail.com

Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards

In tribute to our former colleagues, Orlando Letelier & Ronni Karpen Moffitt, who were killed by assassins of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet in 1976, IPS has honored an international and a domestic champion of human rights with a Letelier-Moffit Memorial Human Rights Award each year. Candidates for this position will provide overall support for the Project Coordinator. Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Maintain paper and online folder of the planning process for final booklet
• Work with Communications and IT Department by helping to manage the event invitations/save the date process: drafting design, editing text etc.
• Research news items and articles
• Explore logistics for guests and award recipients (transportation, accommodation etc)
• Maintain expense log
• Prepare event nametags and signs
• Provide support for main event in addition to events surrounding the Award Ceremony (not limited to) set-up, check in, greeting guests and attending to issues that may come up during the event
• Generate event survey.

Candidates for this position should be interested in human rights work, Latin America, and possess sharp organizational skills. A working knowledge of the Spanish language is preferred. L-M interns will have the unique opportunity to become acquainted with all of the projects at IPS by attending most, if not all press conferences, rallies, seminars and films sponsored by the Institute. This is a fabulous opportunity to become involved in the DC Human Rights community and develop essential skills for organizing.

Required: Computer Proficiency in Microsoft Office and online research skills.

Melman Fellows Program

The Institute for Policy Studies is pleased to sponsor the Seymour Melman Fellowship Program for workplace democracy and against militarism. The Fellowship Program is currently not accepting applications.

New Internationalism Project

IPS' New Internationalism Project includes three major areas of work: the Middle East, U.S.-UN relations, and U.S. interventionism. Interns will work in all areas. In the Middle East arena, one aspect focuses on changing U.S. policy towards the Palestine-Israel conflict, based on support for Palestinian rights and opposition to Israeli occupation. It is also involved in educational work opposing Israeli settlements, challenging human rights violations by both Israeli occupation forces and the Palestinian Authority, and favoring a greater role for the UN in Middle East diplomacy. The second priority involves changing U.S. policy towards Iraq and working for greater UN primacy in international Iraq policy. The UN work is framed by an effort to create a new kind of internationalism with the United Nations at its center, including defending the UN and its majority poor countries against U.S. efforts to control the organization. It works to reverse Washington's current anti-UN policies, and to change both the thinking and the specific policies that have led to abandonment and attacks against the United Nations. The Intervention arena focuses on the need to create alternatives to military intervention, paying particular attention to U.S. efforts to undermine or sideline international law and the UN in favor of NATO and other military solutions to political and humanitarian crises. All interns for the New Internationalism project should have interest and experience in international developments, opposition to U.S. interventionism, and good research and writing skills. A background in Middle East studies and/or organizing experience in peace or international solidarity movements is especially helpful. Interns will be involved in research, preparation of educational materials and organizing within the anti-war movement.

Pathways to the 21st Century

This project outlines an analysis of this century and lays the foundation for the next. Internship consists of research, writing, and administrative support.

Social Action and Leadership School for Activists (SALSA)

The mission of the Social Action and Leadership School for Activists (SALSA) is to help organizations and individuals develop the skills, analytical framework, and network they need to effectively promote progressive social change. SALSA serves community activists, students, nonprofit professionals, and those interested in activism or a career in the nonprofit sector by offering training in fundraising, communications, organizational development, on-line activism, research, and organizing. These classes, usually one to two evenings in length, range from introductory to intermediate levels of instruction. Classes are held year-round, Monday through Thursday evenings. The SALSA intern works on a variety of projects, including marketing/outreach, catalog distribution, curriculum development, teacher evaluation, program evaluation, writing and editing, and administrative work such as responding to information requests, processing registrations and payments, sending confirmation cards, preparing materials for classes, and signing students in on night of class.

Sustainable Energy and Economy Network (SEEN)

The Sustainable Energy and Economy Network (SEEN), a project of the Institute for Policy Studies (Washington, DC) and the Transnational Institute (Amsterdam), works in partnership with citizens groups globally on environment and development issues with a particular focus on climate change, energy, gender equity, and economic issues. SEEN provides ground-breaking research and support to activists, citizens' groups and policy-makers around the world with the goal of steering investment of public funds away from fossil fuels and toward clean, safe, renewable forms of energy for human needs and sustainable livelihoods. SEEN works to marshal the wisdom of the people most directly impacted by energy and climate issues-from rural Appalachia to village India to the rainforests of the Amazon--in finding and advancing solutions to climate change that are both equitable and sustainable. Our research focuses on investments made by international financial institutions and government agencies in developing countries and economies in transition--where the largest energy investments will be made in coming decades--as well as in economically disadvantaged regions of the U.S. An internship with SEEN offers opportunities for conducting research and writing projects independently. We are particularly interested in those who have an existing background in areas such as environment (particularly climate change) issues, environmental justice, alternative energy, environmental economics, human rights, gender studies, or the activities of the Bretton Woods Institutions. SEEN is also interested in working with activists interested in developing their Internet skills. SEEN director and IPS Fellow Daphne Wysham co-hosts a radio show on environmental issues, "Earthbeat," which airs once a week on WPFW, 89.3 FM, and online at www.wpfw.org on tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. She is seeking a radio show intern to assist her in researching material for the show, setting up interviews with guests, and assistance in producing the show.