The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is a community where people who care about global affairs can connect — in person or virtually — with each other and with global leaders, influencers, and experts to explore ideas that will shape our future.
If you are passionate about our work, bringing people together and our mission that drives our work, apply today.
THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS MISSION
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight on crucial global issues, advances policy solutions, and fosters dialogue about what is happening in the world and why it matters to the people in Chicago, the United States and around the globe.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The primary responsibility of the research assistant is to support the public opinion team in developing and advancing the Council’s research projects in the field of public opinion and foreign policy. This will include a wide range of activities on the administrative and analysis side, including scheduling meetings, updating constituent lists, assisting with data analysis, background research, writing reports, and assisting with the dissemination of all survey research products and content.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Support the Chicago Council survey project on the annual Chicago Council Survey of American attitudes on foreign policy under the direction of the Senior Fellow, including relevant background research, developing and managing archives of questions, trends, and data, supporting questionnaire design, conducting data analysis, and communicating with consultants on project deliverables
Assist in managing the Council’s new monthly elite polling project, including drafting invitation letters, formatting the survey on an online platform, and working with the communications team to promote and disseminate the results
Draft various pieces including background memos, letters, newsletters, blogs, briefs, reports, and other documents for external communication, and copy-edit, fact-check, and proofread survey-related documents, including grant proposals, grant reports, survey briefs, and reports
Coordinate logistics and planning for survey-related briefings, in-house meetings, and task forces and study groups, including scheduling, developing invitation lists, tracking invitations, preparing meeting materials, set-up, responding to inquiries, inviting speakers, preparing background readings, and other duties as needed
Collaborate with the communications team on disseminating research and content by building distribution lists, supervising mailings, drafting newsletters, drafting social media material, obtaining data for infographics, and providing updates for the website
Track constituent engagement in the Council’s Salesforce database, including updating records, creating new profiles, marking custom mailing lists, reviewing unsubscribe and bounced emails
Actively research and maintain a pulse on relevant news, international developments, events, and experts to incorporate into survey planning and presentations
Help interview and supervise interns for the studies team
Provide support at Council events approximately 3 – 4 times monthly (registration, ushering, etc.), requiring some evening and early morning hours
Occasionally assist at the front desk to relieve Reception and Database Services Assistant in meeting/greeting Council constituents and handling incoming calls
Perform other projects as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
BA or equivalent degree in a field related to international affairs, such as economics, history, political science, or area studies; broad understanding of international affairs
1 – 2 years of experience working in a nonprofit organization, academic or research institution, government agency, or business arena, preferably with some connection to international affairs
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including superb attention to detail and the ability to communicate with people at all levels using courtesy and discretion
Superior computer skills using MS Office Suite and a statistical software package such as R or SPSS
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
Ability to provide support at Council events during evening and early morning hours
ABOUT THE COUNCIL
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight on crucial global issues, advances policy solutions, and fosters dialogue about what is happening in the world and why it matters to the people in Chicago, the United States and around the globe. As the premier, nonpartisan global affairs organization in America's heartland, we believe an informed, engaged public with access to fact-based and balanced views on global issues helps to ensure effective US engagement and supports a more inclusive, equitable, and secure world.
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, handicap or disability, marital status, military service or veteran status, genetic information, or for any other reason prohibited by applicable law.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We will elevate diverse voices and identities and a full range of perspectives, advance equitable and inclusive access to exploring and shaping ideas, and ensure our organization reflects the diversity of Chicago, our nation, and the world.
To learn more, visit: https://www.thechicagocouncil.org/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-council
Vaccination Statement
For the safety and well-being of our staff, the Council requires that all prospective employees submit proof of an up-to-date COVID vaccination and booster record or seek a reasonable accommodation for a religious or medical reason prior to their first day of employment.