Careers

Contract Position: Part-Time Research Assistant
Contract Duration: 9 months, est. September 2024 – May 2025, negotiable
Location: Virtual/telework
Pay Range: $20/hr, estimated 15-25 hrs/week, negotiable

POSITION SUMMARY

MEDC seeks a part-time research assistant who is available to work between 15 and 25 hours per week, for approximately 9 months. MEDC welcomes current graduate students and other entry-level individuals to apply for this role.  The purpose of this position is to increase the capacity of MEDC to counter authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), with a focus on the Gulf, through research and editing of policy and issues papers, op-eds, and other publications; providing logistical and organizational support for private and public events; and crafting social media content in English and Arabic for activities across the entire organization. This position would report to the senior director for countering authoritarianism, as well as work substantially with the communications team on a wide variety of activities.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY

The Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC) is a U.S.-based nonprofit and nonpartisan advocacy organization that works with the people of the MENA to challenge authoritarian systems, free the unjustly detained, and advocate for U.S. policies that protect human rights and advance a bold vision for democracy. MEDC was founded in 2024, a merger of the Project on Middle East Democracy and the Freedom Initiative, two organizations with more than 25 years of combined efforts to support democracy and freedom in the MENA region. MEDC advances its work through three interconnected goals and associated hubs:

1. Unjust Detention: Pursue justice, freedom, and accountability for the unjustly detained and persecuted in the MENA region.
2. Countering Authoritarianism: Expose and counter authoritarian tactics, trends, and narratives of MENA governments and their enablers.
3. Democracy Matters: Articulate and advance a bold vision for why democracy matters in the MENA region.

The work of these hubs is supported by the advocacy and communications teams and is led by a managing director and an executive director. MEDC undertakes its work by: building personal relationships with democracy and human rights advocates and the families of the unjustly detained to advance their demands for freedom and human rights; leveraging trusting and collaborative relationships with congressional offices and the administration to urge the U.S. government to take action to support a free and democratic MENA region; and creating partnerships and organizational alliances to mutually advance all of our work.  

LOCATION AND HOURS

This is a contract-based position, executed through telework. If the successful candidate is located in the metro D.C. area, they will be invited to come to MEDC offices during its two in-office days per week. The candidate should be available to work between 15 and 25 hours per week, for approximately nine months, and the candidate’s working hours should fall predominantly within MEDC’s general working hours (between 9:00AM – 5:00PM Eastern Time.)

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct research, conduct interviews and outreach, and draft English language text for policy briefs, op-eds, and publications related to MEDC’s Countering Authoritarianism portfolio, especially foreign policy issues related to the Gulf and Saudi Arabia.
• Provide note-taking for private meetings, public events, and other engagements related to the countering authoritarianism portfolio.
• Assist in planning and drafting content for social media and communications campaigns across the entire organization.
• Support the communications team on a wide variety of public facing activities.
  
• Provide additional support across MEDC programming, as needed. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in public policy, social sciences, or a related field.
• Preference for a candidate who is pursuing a Master’s Degree in the fields above.
• Fluency in English
• Proficiency in Arabic
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work productively in a diverse, multicultural environment.
• A strong commitment to MEDC’s mission and six principles.
• Knowledge of democracy and human rights issues in the MENA, especially Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.  
• Knowledge of social media platforms.
• Demonstrate creativity and problem solving for complex issue sets.

TO APPLY 

Please submit a resume and cover letter to hiring@mideastdc.org with “Part-Time Research Assistant” in the subject line. We will begin reviewing application materials on September 16, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview and a timed writing test.

The Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC) is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the MEDC not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, or because he or she is a protected veteran.