Program Assistant, Global Energy Center

Job Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters – Washington, DC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Seniority Level: Entry
Job Category: Staff

Overview

The Atlantic Council seeks a talented, dynamic and entrepreneurial individual for a full-time Program Assistant position to serve in its Global Energy Center. 

Reporting to the Center’s Director of Research and Programs, the Program Assistant’s main responsibility will be to coordinate and contribute to the execution of the Center’s research projects events and programming agenda, including research, writing, administrative, and logistical assistance. The Program Assistant will provide staffing and administrative support to the Director of Research and Programs, supporting  efforts to build programming that is impactful and relevant to the Global Energy Center’s stakeholders. Lastly, the Program Assistant will help execute research projects and convenings in coordination with Center leadership.

The successful candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit, superb communication skills, and enjoy the complexity of helping to build a rapidly growing program. The candidate should have a background in energy and environmental studies, political science, international relations, economics, history, area studies, or a related field. Special consideration will be given to candidates with demonstrable interest and/or experience in energy markets, economics, and geopolitics will also be given special consideration.

The successful candidate for this position will also have excellent administrative and communication skills, superior writing ability, extraordinary attention to detail, intellectual agility, and the ability to engage diplomatically with colleagues in the organization as well as external stakeholders. The candidate should also have a proven aptitude to take initiative, make sound judgments, assume responsibility and work independently in a fast-paced Center with tight deadlines and competing priorities.

This position is based in our Washington, DC, headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $56,000 to $58,000. Applications submitted by January 6, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration

Job responsibilities

Administrative and Program Support

• Provide staff support for the Center’s Director of Research and Programs, including but not limited to scheduling, travel arrangements, and preparing research and briefings as needed.
• Conduct research as needed to support Center projects and activities, including briefings on current events, key stakeholders, and emerging issues, and contributing to concept notes and research projects.
• Coordinate the organization and execution of Global Energy Center events and programming, liaising as needed with the Engagement team and other relevant programs at the Atlantic Council.
• Draft, proofread, edit, and as needed, publish internal and external materials and correspondence including speaker invitations, event materials, briefing memos, gift agreements, proposals, and other documents necessary for the implementation of assigned projects and program activities.
• Organize travel arrangements as needed and help to prepare briefing material for guests coming to Washington and for Global Energy Center trips abroad.

Research and Program Development

• This position will bear specific responsibilities related to the execution of research projects across the GEC in close cooperation with Center leadership. These responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
  • Working with Center leadership to conceptualize, develop, and launch new bodies of work, projects, and initiatives;
  • Maintaining up-to-date logs of deliverables, stakeholder maps, and deadlines relevant to assigned projects and bodies of work;
  • Drafting, proofreading, editing, and publishing internal and external materials, correspondence, analysis, and project proposals in close coordination with Center Leadership;

• In support of program research projects and initiatives, conduct in-depth research on the implications of market, economic, and political developments on energy trends, with specific attention to climate diplomacy and energy transition. 
• Lead independent writing and research initiatives to support the Center’s thought leadership on key energy policy and sustainability issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, in energy and environmental studies, political science, international relations, economics, history, area studies, or other relevant fields;
• 1 or more years of relevant work experience in a relevant area of work (preferably energy and climate policy, geopolitics, or international economics) strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated ability in project management and event coordination with exceptional attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a time-sensitive environment;
• Competence in administrative duties and providing scheduling assistance across various time zones;
• Professional presence, including the ability to effectively represent the Atlantic Council with external constituencies, such as board members, donors, senior government officials, and business leaders;
• Willingness to respond to an evolving set of priorities, with the ability to work irregular hours at times, and occasional international travel;
• Ability to handle sensitive information, meet deadlines, and maintain calm under pressure;
• Be flexible, creative, solution-driven, and positive in approaching challenges and problems;
• Superior English language writing skills and analytical ability. Foreign language proficiency preferred;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; photo-editing, web-editing, and social media skills are highly desired.

To produce quality work and to successfully achieve our mission, we recognize the need for our staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package helps to keep costs low for our staff and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, 403(b) plan, FSA options, pet insurance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and wellness benefits.

About the Program

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

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