Project Assistant, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

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

About the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

The core mission of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Indo-Pacific Security Initiative (IPSI) is to inform and shape the strategies, plans, and policies of the United States, and its allies and partners to address the most important rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including China’s growing threats to the United States and its allies along with North Korea’s destabilizing nuclear and missile advancements. IPSI produces innovative written and video analysis, conducts tabletop exercises and wargames, hosts public and private convenings, and engages with US, allied, and partner governments, militaries, media, other key private and public-sector stakeholders, and publics. In conducting its mission, IPSI builds on the Atlantic Council’s strong relationships with longstanding allies and partners in the region, while it seeks to expand partnerships in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. IPSI also capitalizes on the Council’s deep partnerships in Europe to bring together US allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific to address shared security challenges in the region and globally.

About the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges and opportunities facing the United States and the world.  The Center honors General Brent Scowcroft’s legacy of service and embodies his ethos of nonpartisan commitment to the cause of security, support for U.S. leadership in cooperation with allies and partners, and dedication to the mentorship of the next generation of leaders.

Overview of the Role

The Atlantic Council seeks a talented, dynamic, and entrepreneurial individual for a fast-paced position as a project assistant with the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. The project assistant will be primarily responsible for tracking, supporting, and executing project tasks as part of the Initiative’s defense and security work to provide analysis and actionable recommendations for US and allied military and government audiences. The project assistant will support research, roundtables, briefings, panels, workshops, travel, tabletop exercises, and other project activities as needed.

A successful candidate will communicate effectively and enjoy working in a fast-paced environment. They will possess:

• Excellent administrative and organizational skills;
• Exceptional research and writing ability;
• Superior attention to detail;
• Positive attitude and adaptability;
• Knowledge of protocol for dealing with military and defense officials;
• Knowledge of defense and deterrence issues, including in the Indo-Pacific region; and
• Awareness and understanding of culture and protocol for those in the Indo-Pacific region.

This position is based in our Washington, DC, headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office. This position is for an initial 6-month period. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $26.45 to $27.40 per hour. Applications submitted by April 1, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct day-to-day  support of projects and programming, such as scheduling, responding to requests for information, coordination with staff, drafting monthly progress reports, and any other substantive or administrative tasks related to project management as needed;
• Coordinate, schedule, implement, and manage logistics for both public and private events with minimal supervision, including shaping structure and agendas, drafting invitations, correspondence with key participants, and participant tracking;
• Manage travel by project personnel and event invitees for projects, to include scheduling, reserving accommodations and transportation, and handling expense documentation;
• Implement communications and promotion strategy around core events, including via e-mail, social media, and multimedia; and
• Support on research and source citation, drafting, editing, proofreading, and graphical work to support project activities, to include drafting portions of project reports, summaries, and briefings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Proven organizational, logistical, project/event management, and administrative skills;
• Familiarity with defense issues and deterrence theory through study or experience;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, think quickly under time pressure, and multi-task to fulfill simultaneous competing demands as part of a team;
• Willingness and ability to work irregular hours and evenings to accommodate ally and partner timezones and to travel if needed;
• Track record of attention to detail;
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, including intercultural communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse project participants and stakeholders from a range of US organizations and across the Indo-Pacific;
• Versatile writing skills that can be applied to a range of lengths and formats;
• Excellent research skills, to include familiarity with key sources of information on defense and deterrence issues, as well as on weapons of mass destruction and other military threats from the People’s Republic of China and/or North Korea;
• Experience preparing or participating in tabletop exercises, wargames, simulations, seminars, and workshops preferred, but not required;
• Experience in or working directly with US military and/or Department of War preferred, but not required;
• Mandarin skills highly desirable, but not required.

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

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

The Indo-Pacific Security Initiative works with US, allied, and partner governments and other key stakeholders to shape strategies and policies to mitigate the most important rising security challenges facing the region, including China’s growing threat to the international order and North Korea’s destabilizing nuclear weapons advancements. IPSI also addresses opportunities for cooperation in the region, such as transforming regional security architectures, harnessing emerging technologies, and developing new mechanisms for deterrence and defense cooperation.

Explore the Program