The Arms Control Association, founded in 1971, is a national nonpartisan membership organization dedicated to promoting public understanding of and support for effective arms control policies.
All internships require proficiency in English and a commitment of 3-6 months. Applications from non-U.S. citizen/permanent resident applicants are welcome; however, they must show appropriate authorization to work in the United States. The Arms Control Association cannot sponsor individuals applying for internships or otherwise help them obtain visas. Those requiring living space might consider Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH) as an option.
Available 2020 opportunities include:
- Communications and Media Intern (spring, summer, fall)
- Research Intern (spring, summer, fall)
- Forum on the Arms Trade Intern (spring, summer, fall)
- Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
Candidates available full-time (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday) are preferred, but those with part-time availability (20 hours/week minimum) will be considered. This is an unpaid internship. A daily lunch stipend ($10) is provided as is reimbursement for public transportation travel to and from work or work-related events.
Deadlines to apply:
Please note that applications are accepted on a rolling basis and early applications are encouraged. Please note in your cover letter which term for you are applying.
Spring: January through May; applications requested by December 31.
Summer: June through August: applications requested by April 1.
Fall: September through December: applications requested by July 1.
To Apply: Please send AS A SINGLE PDF your cover letter, resume, 1-2 page writing sample on a public policy topic, and contact information for three references to [email protected] You must include the name of the internship for which you are applying in the subject line.
ACA Communications and Media Internship
The Arms Control Association seeks a dynamic, engaged candidate to assist with communications, media relations, and marketing efforts. This internship is an excellent opportunity to gain experience with various aspects of communications, outreach to reporters, and marketing with a well-respected organization in the arms control and disarmament field. Expertise in the field of arms control and nonproliferation issues is not necessary, but candidates should demonstrate a commitment to the issues.
Opportunities:
Interns with the communications team will help
- maintain and leverage contacts with journalists, embassies/missions, event participants and members;
- draft and copyedit print and electronic materials, including lead articles for the national Arms Control Today journal, blog posts, social media content, and newsletters;
- work with the Graphics editor and Program Associate to design flyers, graphics, and other marketing material for events and online content;
- Edit and upload content for the website;
- Assist with the planning and execution of ACA public and private events, briefings, and meetings; and
- Other tasks assigned by staff.
Qualifications:
- Familiarity and comfort with various social media platforms and publishing tools;
- Completed or working toward a college degree, preferably in a related field (e.g., Communications, English, Public Relations, or Political Science). Students pursuing advanced degrees are also encouraged to apply;
- Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Drive required. Experience using Photoshop, InDesign, Prezi and/or Adobe Premiere highly desired. Knowledge of HTML, Drupal CMS, or other graphic design programs a plus
- An effective communicator, both written and oral;
- Experience writing in multiple styles and voices (e.g., tweets, press releases, blog posts, news briefs); and
- Self-motivated, good organizational skills, detail-oriented, ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines.
Depending on the initiative, schedules, and writing ability, interns will have an opportunity to publish short research briefs in our national monthly journal, Arms Control Today. We will also work with eager interns to help take their skills in graphic design, online communications, and marketing to the next level as part of their experience with us.
See application requirements above.
The Arms Control Association seeks a dynamic, self-starter to assist with research and analysis. This internship is an excellent opportunity to gain experience with various aspects of the arms control and disarmament field. Expertise in the field of arms control and nonproliferation issues is not necessary, but candidates should demonstrate an intermediate level of knowledge and commitment to the issues.
Opportunities:
- Assist the research team in conducting online research for written products and analysis;
- Attend events, briefings, and meetings on behalf of the staff and provide notes and analysis of information presented;
- Monitor and summarize media coverage of certain arms control and nonproliferation issues;
- Maintain and generate fact sheets on arms control and nonproliferation issues to be used on ACA’s website;
- Generate blog posts on assigned arms control and nonproliferation topics;
- Assist Arms Control Today staff with pre- and post-production of the journal, including editing;
- Write news stories and other written assignments assigned by staff;
- Assist with the execution of ACA public and private events, briefings, and meetings; and
- Other tasks assigned by ACA staff.
Qualifications:
- An appropriate level of knowledge, interest, and commitment to issues related to arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation;
- Completed or working toward a college degree, preferably in a related field (e.g., Political Science, International Security, Global Affairs). Students pursuing advanced degrees are also encouraged to apply;
- Computer literate. Knowledge of HTML and Drupal CMS is a plus;
- An effective communicator, both written and oral;
- Effective research skills. Familiarity with Lexis Nexis or other research databases a plus;
- Experience writing in multiple styles (e.g., research papers, blog posts, news pieces); and
- Self-motivated, good organizational skills, detail-oriented, ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines.
See application requirements above.
Forum on the Arms Trade Internship
The Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, the Arms Control Association, and the Forum on the Arms Trade are currently looking for an intern to provide support to Monitor Program Manager and ACA Non-Resident Senior Fellow Jeff Abramson working on a range of topics across institutions.
This internship position provides an exciting opportunity to develop research, fact-checking, operational, coordination and networking skills. The intern will be exposed to a wide range of researchers, organizations, and individuals – including an international network of campaigners, as well as representatives of governments and international organizations. For more information, review the topics covered on www.the-monitor.org, www.armscontrol.org, and www.forumarmstrade.org.
Opportunities:
Monitoring and Researching:
- Analyzing presidential positions on Forum on the Arms Trade-related topics
- Researching, updating and compiling information including tracking of media
- Fact-checking Country Profile and other research drafts for factual errors and ensuring publishable quality in terms of style
- Tracking reports submission and progress throughout the production process
- Possible opportunities to write news articles or blog posts for all organizations
Public Engagement, Including Online - Drafting content for the Monitor and Forum on the Arms Trade newsletters
- Updating websites
- Attending events, briefings, and meetings and provide notes and analysis of information presented
- Assisting with the execution of public and private events, briefings, and meetings
- Developing infographics, interactive maps and other data visualizations (if capable)
Qualifications:
Individuals who are studying for or have completed a university degree and who are interested in pursuing a career in campaigning, politics, journalism, international relations or a related field. In addition, the ideal candidates will have:
- Strong motivation and demonstrate an interest in arms control, disarmament, human rights and/or humanitarian issues
- Strong written and oral communications skills in English
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills as well as attention to detail
- Very good computer skills, including knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office software (Powerpoint, Word, Excel), use of Google docs, and capability to update websites (advanced skill not necessary)
- Experience in website content management systems is an asset, as is graphic design
- The ability to work as part of a team, as well as being proactive and working well under low supervision and to tight deadlines
See application requirements above.
Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship pays a stipend for college graduates to work with DC-based nongovernmental organizations such as the Arms Control Association on arms control, peace, and security issues for six to nine months.
For further information and to apply, please visit http://www.scoville.org.