Analyst in Foreign Affairs

Analyst in Foreign Affairs

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Summary

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division is accepting applications under its 2024 Graduate Recruit Program for an Analyst in Foreign Affairs. This position will be filled at the GS-09 or GS-11 level (see "Duties" below).

Duties

About the Graduate Recruit Program

Initial appointments under the Graduate Recruit Program will be made for a period up to 120 days. Initial appointments are expected to convert to permanent, contingent upon the participant’s successful performance, completion of all degree requirements, and availability of funding. Those students who return to school to complete their advanced degree program may be eligible for a permanent position once they obtain their degree.

About CRS

CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress, CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process—from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.

CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.

DUTIES

The Congressional Research Service (CRS), Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade (FDT) Division seeks an Analyst in Foreign Affairs to work on a range of policy issues related to the individual countries and intra-regional dynamics of the African region, as well as related U.S. policy dimensions, including the role of Congress and major legislation.

The analyst will provide objective public policy analysis and consultation on policies and issues related to political, security, development, and humanitarian affairs in Africa and U.S. policy for Members, committees, and staff of the U.S. Congress. The work includes locating/interpreting factual information; conducting research; preparing objective, nonpartisan descriptive, background, and analytical reports; participating in team research projects and seminars; and applying qualitative and quantitative analytical methods to research and writing.

The ideal candidate will be enrolled in or graduating from a M.A. or Ph.D. program and have experience and graduate coursework in African Studies, International Relations, or a related field. Proficiency in French, Portuguese, or regional languages is also valued.

Strong research, writing, and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex analyses into easy-to-understand language for a non-technical audience, as well as attention to detail and skill with online databases are required.

The analyst position carries promotion potential to the GS-15 level.