Program Assistant, Indo-Pacific in Berlin bei The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Department/Program Summary:

The Indo-Pacific increasingly tops the foreign policy agenda in both the US and Europe. At a time when the international rules-based order is increasingly contested, GMF’s Indo-Pacific Program fosters coordinated US-European approaches to common challenges in the region while building closer US-European-Asian partnerships. Through its long-standing, signature trilateral Track 1.5 dialogues with stakeholders from China, India, Japan, and Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific Program promotes cross-fertilization of ideas and potential policy solutions in key foreign, economic, and security policy areas, including maritime security, connectivity, technology, and supply chains. As the United States continues coalition-building in the region and Europe is developing its own Indo-Pacific strategies, GMF Indo-Pacific's insights and networks have never been more vital and relevant. The Indo-Pacific Program’s fellows and staff manage an active set of policy programs, conduct in-depth research, publish regular newsletters and podcasts, and frequently contribute articles and commentary to a wide range of international publications and news outlets.

Job Summary:

The program assistant will support GMF’s Indo-Pacific Program on a variety of convening and research activities that foster transatlantic cooperation related to Asia. S/he will assist with the day-to-day program operations including drafting grant proposals and reports, tracking budgets and expenses, contact database updates, program updates (website, calendar, team call notes, booklet, and op-ed collections), and providing research and editorial support. The program assistant will provide logistical support for the India portfolio which includes the India Trilateral Forum, as well as other trilaterals taking place in Europe. S/he will also provide support for the Indo-Pacific Program’s Europe-based convening.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities (in order of importance):

• Support the planning and execution of the India Trilateral Forum.

• Assist with the day-to-day administration of the Indo-Pacific Program. Responsibilities include: manage mailing lists, maintain program schedules and calendars, coordinating across GMF, monitor necessary updates on the program webpages, and prepare budgets and expense reports.

• Assist with the organization of other events for GMF’s Indo-Pacific Program, including regular conferences in Europe and Asia and seminars and workshops at GMF’s offices. These include both in-person and virtual formats. Event and project assistance such as drafting texts, sending invitations, coordinating with speakers, vendors, and partners, on-site implementation, post-event tasks and accounting/reporting.

• Provide research and editorial support for GMF’s Indo-Pacific-related publications and digital content.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities:

• Support fundraising activities, including developing and editing proposal narratives and budgets, researching prospective funders and drafting grant reports.

Internal/External Contacts:

The Program Assistant interacts daily with members of the Indo-Pacific Program to provide research and administrative support. S/he communicates periodically, in writing, verbally and in-person, with external parties – at all levels – to provide information and solve problems related to invitees’ participation in GMF events.

Knowledge and Skills Needed:

• Prior work or internship experience (approximately six months to two years) in a think tank, public sector, or non-profit setting

• Strong event organization and management skills, with superb attention to detail and an ability to meet rapid, multiple deadlines in a fast-paced team-orientated environment

• Excellent communication, writing, and editing skills in English; proficiency or familiarity in Asian (e.g., Mandarin, Hindi/Urdu, Japanese, Korean) or European (e.g., German, French) languages a plus

• Solid research and analytical capabilities on matters of contemporary policy relevance

• A demonstrable interest or background in contemporary East and South Asian politics and policy – particularly related to China or India – and/or a familiarity with U.S.-European policy issues and global strategic debates about American foreign policy and rising international powers

Education:

Bachelor's degree in International Relations or Affairs, Political Science, Economics, History, Asian studies, or another related field.

Candidate must be in position of a non-restrictive German work permit in order to be considered.

This is a one-year contract starting from Date Of Hire.

Salary: 31,135 - 35,000