Research and Administrative Assistant at Brookings Institution in Washington, Washington DC

Job Description:

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Governance Studies program at Brookings is dedicated to analyzing policy issues, political institutions and processes, and contemporary governance challenges. Our scholarship identifies areas in need of reform and proposes specific solutions with the goals of: improving the performance of the national government; informing debate; and providing policymakers with expert analysis and ideas to ensure better institutional governance.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Vaccine Policy: Brookings requires allstaffand visitorsto submit proof ofcompletevaccination against COVID-19to bein Brookingsbuildings.

Individuals that(i) havea qualifying medical condition that contraindicates a COVID-19 vaccination, or (ii) who object to being vaccinated based on a sincerely held religious belief, may request a reasonable accommodation. Brookings policies on masks and other pandemic mitigation measures will continue to be informed by DC and CDC guidelines.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

The Research & Administrative Assistant provides direct research, writing, editing, and administrative support to scholars in the Center for Technology Innovation (CTI), housed in the Governance Studies (GS) program. This role serves as a point of contact for CTI scholars to both internal and external parties on matters related to their research, undertakes research assignments as directed by CTI scholars, drafts summaries of findings, provides editorial support, impact reporting, fundraising support (i.e, help with proposal drafts), and represents CTI scholars at external events and meetings as needed. The Research and Administrative Assistant will also serve as the primary point of contact for the CTI TechTank blog, coordinating review and edits between Brookings scholars, contributing authors, and other internal team members, designing and publishing content to the blog, and using social media to promote the blog and its content externally. Collaborates with GS communications staff on matters pertaining to public and private events, web site content, and outreach.

Research and Writing (60%)

• Identifies and collects appropriate primary and secondary source information for scholarship on assigned research topics.
• Collects, compiles, and independently analyzes statistical data for research using statistical packages and database tools.
• Provides research, drafting, fact-checking, formatting, and copyediting support with respect to CTI research deliverables and publications; collaborates with co-editors, contributing authors, the Brookings Press, and Marketing, as necessary.
• Collects qualitative and quantitative data on project issues; reads sources for relevancy to research themes; compiles bibliographies and chronologies; and engages in some legislative tracking.
• Compiles, reads, abstracts, synthesizes, analyzes, and organizes written and electronic material into summarized form.
• Writes briefing memos and synthesizes research and policy materials; prepares notes and reports on meetings and conferences; compiles abstracts, summaries, bibliographies and analyses of books and articles.
• Monitors current developments in relevant policy research areas, including artificial intelligence, privacy, anti-trust, telecommunications, broadband, digital equity, and technology regulation and regulatory agencies.
• Analyzes and produces written summaries of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Provides editing support for writing projects, journal publications, TechTank posts, speeches and lectures, and research reports.
• Develops and copyedits content for TechTank blog; monitors news to keep blog content relevant; identifies potential guest contributors for more robust material; manages analytics and tracks impacts.
• Coordinates and attends meetings, conferences, and hearings relevant to research projects; transcribes and summarizes content of such events.
• Ensures that Senior Fellows are prepared for external events and meetings; media appearances; prepares talking points and conducts background research.
• Works with other CTI staff on assigned projects.

Administrative and Blog Support (40%)

• Assists in planning and implementation of research agendas and deliverables (e.g. reports, conferences, meetings, policy papers) related to the projects within CTI. Tracks pending external and internal matters for action and follow up.
• Works closely with Brookings research, communications, events, and development staff as necessary to ensure research deliverables are produced in a timely fashion.
• Fields and keeps track of speaking and media requests makes travel arrangements, and coordinates appointments and speaking engagements, as needed.
• Coordinates reviews and edits of contributing authors to TechTank blog (both internal and external) with Brookings scholars and advises the VP, Governance Studies, CTI Director, and all contributors of their postings in advance. Tracks publications by release date and subject matter.
• Publishes and designs digital content to TechTank blog; uses social media to promote content; manages and shares comments to the blog daily.
• Provides assistance to GS communications team in booking speakers, drafting announcements, and coordinating logistics and publicity efforts for CTI events.
• Attends symposia, conferences, and hearings relevant to research projects on behalf of Senior Fellows; summarizes content of such events.
• Provides support for funding efforts, including gathering information and drafting proposals when requested.
• Provides assistance to GS communications team in promoting scholars' media appearances; ensures expert pages are up to date.
• Supervises intern(s), as relevant and/or coordinates with other CTI Research staff on the projects assigned to interns.
• Provides other administrative support, as needed.

Qualifications

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications:

Education/Experience Requirements:

Required: Bachelor's degree in public policy or other relevant fields including economics, political science, sociology, or technology/engineering. Prior experience in quantitative research, social science or public policy is required, as well as experience with writing and/or editing, qualitative research, and data collection. Competence to undertake research assignments with little supervision.

Preferred: Experience with spreadsheets, project management, and other collaborative software applications.

Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements:

Required: Ability to work with empirical data and statistics, strong writing and research skills. Knowledge of STATA or another other statistical package, database management. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and organizational skills; excellent writing and editing skills; strong attention to detail; ability to work quickly and effectively to communicate complex information; ability to work independently and prioritize both one's own work and the work of others, among multiple competing tasks; patience; ability to communicate (both written and verbal) in a professional and appropriate manner with individuals at all levels; ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred: Special interest in technology policy, including the digital divide, broadband access, artificial intelligence, equity, and telecommunications. Knowledge of US federal regulatory agencies.

Additional Information:

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note: if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment. Submission of a 2-3 page writing sample is required. Please upload your writing sample as an attachment.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.

PI189028920

Apply Now