Africa Analyst, Critical Threats Project

Overview

The American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project (CTP) produces detailed, objective analysis and forecasting on America’s core national security challenges and provides concrete recommendations to address them. CTP also trains the next generation of policymakers and intelligence analysts. Its granular, open-source publications assist government officials, the media, and the military and intelligence communities while informing the public about the nuance and scale of threats to America’s security.

AEI seeks a full-time, in-person analyst to conduct independent research, lead interns, and support foreign policy scholarship in advancing CTP’s mission.

The primary focus of this position will be collecting intelligence and assessing conflict and political developments in the Horn of Africa and Red Sea regions of Africa. It will emphasize military operations and analyzing the region in the context of the broader Africa team portfolio, including the Salafi-jihadi movement and great-power competition. Other responsibilities include selecting, training, and developing interns; intellectually contributing to other research efforts; providing feedback on technological innovation projects; and providing other research and administrative support as required.

The ideal candidate works well on agile, collaborative, hard-working teams; can re-prioritize tasks in response to changing research and publication needs; and possesses excellent research, writing, task-management, communication, and organizational skills. A demonstrated interest in foreign and defense policy and strong technological instincts are required. Analysts interact daily in a bespoke research database and use cutting-edge technology to complete research. Working proficiency in Amharic, Somali, French, and Arabic are desired, though not required.

The CTP team operates in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and is responsive to crises in the areas it covers. This role may require rotational weekend work during periods of heightened activity. An excellent candidate welcomes challenges and will embrace his or her role in achieving CTP’s mission.

AEI offers a stimulating and collegial work environment and excellent benefits. Qualified applicants should submit an online application, complete with a resume, cover letter, transcripts, and 500-word writing sample on a topic related to the position.

Responsibilities

• Core Responsibilities
  • Conduct research, analysis, and writing for CTP reports, updates, and other analytical products on African Great Lakes regional dynamics, African regional security more broadly, and great-power competition. Iterate with colleagues through a time-sensitive workflow on written products in a professional manner.
  • Perform library, online, bibliographic, and investigative research under the guidance of more experienced researchers and in collaboration with other analysts at CTP and its research partner, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
  • Select, train, and develop interns. Oversee interns’ work on daily open-source intelligence collection and research projects. Lead training sessions, and refine ongoing education programs.
  • Contribute to technology partnership projects by testing new tools, providing feedback, and integrating changes into the research workflow.
  • Collaborate on projects with the CTP and ISW staff to accomplish long-term research goals and advance the team’s overall mission.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Cooperate and collaborate with departmental staff working on issues related to Africa and spanning the CTP-ISW portfolios.
  • Assist with administrative and planning tasks to support the team’s overall mission, including by collaborating with operations staff to produce social media posts and other external relations materials.
  • Post recurring publications on criticalthreats.org and aei.org. Posting duties are shared on a rotating basis among team members and may occur in the evening (about once per week) and on a weekend during times of heightened activity.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions at AEI

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close-up vision for computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phones, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree (required)
• 0–2 years of previous applicable full-time work experience (required); previous internship experience (strongly preferred)
• A demonstrated interest in international relations, Africa, and defense policy
• Working proficiency in Amharic, Somali, French, and Arabic (highly desired but not required)
• Critical thinking skills, strong technological instincts, and receptiveness to feedback (required)
• An interest in mentoring and developing interns

BenefitsAEI offers generous benefits, including 18 days of paid leave (15 days of paid annual leave and 3 personal/floating holidays); 12 days of paid sick leave; paid family leave; medical and dental coverage, in addition to a health savings account; medical and dependent care FSA; a tuition assistance program of up to $5,200; life and disability insurance at no cost to employees; and a 403b retirement plan with a 12% contribution from AEI, among other benefits. For more information, you can see a full summary of our benefits at https://www.aei.org/jobs/benefits/.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate's full-time, applicable work experience; key skills and qualifications; as well as internal and external market considerations. The salary range for this full-time, exempt position is $53,000-$60,000. Salary is just one component of AEI’s total compensation package for employees.