Program Assistant, European Engagement, Global Energy Center

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

The Atlantic Council seeks a talented, dynamic and entrepreneurial individual for a full-time Program Assistant position to serve in its Global Energy Center.

Reporting to the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center Romania Office Director, and working closely with the Deputy Director for Transatlantic Energy Security and in coordination with the relevant Europe Center staff, the Program Assistant's main responsibility will be to coordinate and contribute to the execution of the Atlantic Council's research and programming agenda, including: writing, administrative, and logistical assistance with a focus on US-Romania cooperation and political and economic integration in Eastern Europe, with a focus on energy security. Additionally, a key component of this role will be providing staff support to the Director of the Romania Office to ensure the smooth operations of the program, such as administrative support, scheduling and expense tracking. The Program Assistant will play a crucial role in building impactful and relevant programming, while supporting Global Energy Center (GEC) and Europe Center leadership on transatlantic engagement through researching, writing, execution of events and editing publications.

The successful candidate will have an entrepreneurial spirit, superb communication skills, and enjoy the complexity of helping to build a rapidly growing program. The candidate should have a background in energy and environmental studies, political science, international relations, economics, history, or a related field. Special consideration will be given to candidates with demonstrable interest and/or experience in energy markets, economics, and geopolitical affairs.

The successful candidate for this position will also have excellent administrative and communication skills, superior writing ability, attention to detail, intellectual agility, and the ability to engage diplomatically with colleagues in the organization as well as with external stakeholders. The candidate should have a proven aptitude to assume responsibility and work independently in a dynamic environment with tight deadlines and competing priorities.

This position is based in our Washington, DC, headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $53,000 to $59,000. Applications submitted by March 31, 2025, will be prioritized for consideration.

Administrative and Program Support

• Provide staff support for the Director of the Romania Office, including but not limited to:
  • Manage Director's short-term and long-term schedule, coordinating externally with a range of key stakeholders and internally across the organization so that meetings reflect the Centers' leadership priorities, are the subject of ample preparation, include the right participants, and are timely.
  • Plan and organize domestic and international travel.
  • Management of external vendors (as needed).
  • Submit credit card and expense reports accurately and on time.
  • Arrange vendor agreements for consultants or offsite engagements, as needed.
  • Track invoices to ensure all are processed and paid on time.

• Conduct research as needed to support projects and activities, including briefings on relevant developments, key stakeholders, and emerging issues, and contributing to concept notes and research projects.

• Coordinate the organization and execution of events and programming, liaising as needed with the office of engagement and other relevant programs such as the Europe Center at the Atlantic Council.

• Draft, proofread, edit, and as needed, publish internal and external materials and correspondence including speaker invitations, event materials, briefing memos, gift agreements, proposals, and other documents necessary for the implementation of assigned projects and program activities.

• Organize travel arrangements as needed and help to prepare briefing material for guests coming to Washington and for Atlantic Council trips abroad.

Research and Program Development

• This position will bear specific responsibilities related to the execution of research projects across the GEC, in close cooperation with Europe Center, with specific attention to (but not limited to) the GEC's work on US-European cooperation on energy security, competitiveness, and decarbonization. These responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
  • Working with GEC leadership to conceptualize, develop, and launch new bodies of work, projects, and initiatives.
  • Maintaining up-to-date logs of deliverables, stakeholder maps, and deadlines relevant to assigned projects and bodies of work.
  • Drafting, proofreading, editing, and publishing internal and external materials, correspondence, analysis, and project proposals in close coordination with Center Leadership.
• In support of program research projects and initiatives, conduct in-depth research on the implications of market, economic, and political developments on energy trends, with specific attention to the transatlantic energy and economic relations.
• Lead independent writing and research initiatives to support GEC's thought leadership on key energy policy and sustainability issues.

• Bachelor's degree or higher, in energy and environmental studies, political science, international relations, economics, history, area studies, or other relevant fields.
• 1 or more years of relevant work experience in a relevant area of work (preferably energy and climate policy, geopolitics, or international economics) strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability in project management and event coordination with exceptional attention to detail and ability to multi-task in a time-sensitive environment.
• Competence in administrative duties and providing scheduling assistance across various time zones.
• Professional presence, including the ability to effectively represent the Atlantic Council with external constituencies, such as board members, donors, senior government officials, and business leaders.
• Willingness to respond to an evolving set of priorities, with the ability to work irregular hours at times, and occasional international travel.
• Ability to handle sensitive information, meet deadlines, and maintain calm under pressure.
• Be flexible, creative, solution-driven, and positive in approaching challenges and problems.
• Superior English language writing skills and analytical ability. Foreign language proficiency preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel; photo-editing, web-editing, and social media skills are highly desired.

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.