Job Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters – Washington, DC
Employment Type: Part-time
Seniority Level: Fellow
Job Category: Fellow
Description
The Atlantic Council’s Europe Center invites applications for its annual Balkans Forward Congressional Fellowship designed to deepen the expertise and networks of eligible United States congressional staff in Member offices and on congressional committees (see criteria below). The 12-month fellowship entails master classes, briefings, and other educational events in Washington and a study tour of the region.
The Atlantic Council’s Balkans Forward Initiative is a unique, coordinated effort to foster a democratic, secure, and prosperous Western Balkans firmly integrated into the transatlantic community. Our work seeks to reinvigorate US engagement in the region, promote more effective US-European cooperation on issues impacting the Western Balkans, foster dialogue among key actors across the region, and cultivate a new generation of decision-makers and experts. The Balkans Forward Initiative provides analysis on regional developments, organizes delegations to the region, develops strategy and policy recommendations, and regularly convenes relevant actors and leaders. Most recent examples have included Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gabriel Escobar, EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and Western Balkans Miroslav Lajcak, Prime Minister of Kosovo Albin Kurti, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, and Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković.
The Balkans Forward Congressional Fellowship is a non-partisan fellowship program that aims to develop the expertise and build the networks of congressional staff members on Balkans related issues. The fellowship will connect staff members from the United States House and Senate with Atlantic Council senior fellows, other leading experts, and representatives from government and civil society in the Balkan region. Through the 12-month fellowship, staff members will be invited to a series of off-the-record roundtables, briefings, and master classes with visiting policymakers and experts to discuss critical issues in the region. The fellowship and its programming seek to build greater awareness and understanding among congressional policymakers of the challenges and opportunities facing the Western Balkans and support informed US policy toward the region.
Issues covered include but are not limited to:
• The History of the modern Western Balkans
• NATO and EU integration Processes of the Western Balkans
• Impact of the war in Ukraine on EU enlargement and implications for the region
• Democratic reform in the region and the challenge of democratic backsliding
• Economic transformation and obstacles to regional development
• Regional security, conflicts, and territorial disputes
• US foreign policy in Southeast Europe
• Influence of foreign actors including Russia and China in the Western Balkans
• Combating crime and corruption
• Strengthening the region’s resilience to disinformation
The fellowship will include a week-long trip to the Balkans in Summer 2025, during which staff members will have senior meetings with government, opposition, civil society, and private sector representatives from a variety of Balkan countries, focusing on US policy, regional security, economic development, crime and corruption, judicial reform, and law enforcement issues in the region.
To apply to the program, please provide a resume, two professional references, and answers to the three questions below in a separate attached document. Each of the following questions should be answered in fewer than 250 words.
• Why do you wish to participate in this fellowship and how do you hope to benefit from this program?
• What is one political development in the region that you are tracking or keen to learn more about?
• Why does the Western Balkan region matter for transatlantic security?
Applications close on Monday, September 16, 2024 (11:59 pm EST), and the fellowship is scheduled to start in late Fall 2024. Please e-mail Lisa Homel at lhomel@atlanticcouncil.org with any questions related to the program.
Application Requirements
- Legislative Assistant or above, or the equivalent, at the US Congress or Congressional Research Service.
2+ years of experience working on Capitol Hill or in a similar, relevant position.
Experience with a portfolio related to Europe/Eurasia, foreign or defense policy, international trade and economics, human rights, democratization, international judicial or law enforcement cooperation, foreign operations/appropriations, or intelligence.
Professional focus or strong demonstrable interest in the Balkan region is desired.
Ability and commitment to attend at least 4 roundtable discussions in person (weekdays near Capitol Hill, approximately 6:30-8:00 p.m.) and other relevant programming as part of the fellowship. There will be approximately 5-7 events total over the course of the fellowship.
Explore the Program
The Europe Center promotes leadership, strategies, and analysis to ensure a strong, ambitious, and forward-looking transatlantic relationship.
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