IR Career Starters
April 2026
After a short Easter delay to our regular programming, a new edition is out, once again flush with internships, traineeships, fellowships and a variety of positions in the entry and early-career segment.
It has been a busy month; as last issue hit your inboxes, I was packing my bags and heading to the Middle East as part of our rapid crisis response to the War on Iran and the implications for citizens abroad in the affected countries. Dutch and Finnish colleagues captured a few shots below!
I also had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with students from the Master's in Transnational Governance (alongside researchers, staff, and fellows) at the School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute, in Florence, as part of a virtual session on professional networking in international affairs.
For those interested in hearing me talk a little bit about my path into international affairs and offer a few insights into what the career demands, you are more than welcome to check out the upcoming Fireside chat I will be doing with Young Professionals in Foreign Policy on 16 April.
You can register here: https://members.ypfp.org/event-6635363, and if it's full, sign up for the waiting list, as the event might free up spots or expand participation!
While it can be tricky, I naturally do my best to make myself available for talks, guest lectures, panels, interviews, and you name it, both on subject matter and IR careers, so feel free to reach out if relevant.
All the best,
Alex
Legend
ACA - Academia and Research
DEV - International Development
DIP - Diplomacy and Policy
ECO - Economic Affairs and Trade
EDU - Education and Culture
ENV - Environment and Climate
HEA - Global Health
HUM - Human Rights / Humanitarian Affairs
LAW - International Law and Justice
PUD - Public Diplomacy, Communication and Media
SEC - Peace and Security
TEC - Technology, AI and Cyber
π OECD π
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Communications and Publications Officer, Paris [PUD]
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Policy Analyst, Health, Paris [HEA] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Economist and Modeler, Paris [ECO] [ACA]
https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/OECD/oecd---en
π GIZ π
ππ§πππ«π§, Communication and Data Analysis GP FAST, Bonn [PUD] [ACA]
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications and Outreach, Bonn [PUD]
π International Crisis Group π
ππ§πππ«π§, Early Warning & Research Unit, Belgium or UK [SEC] [ACA]
π DCAF π
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications, Geneva [PUD]
https://www.dcaf.ch/vacancies#/
π AIIB π
ππ§ππ«π², Operational Risk Associate, Beijing [DEV] [ECO]
https://www.aiib.org/en/opportunities/career/job-vacancies/staff/index.html
π MSF π
ππ§πππ«π§, Operational Communications, Geneva [PUD] [HUM]
ππ§πππ«π§, Cell 4, Geenva [HUM] [HEA]
ππ§πππ«π§, Desk Research Support, Geneva [ACA] [HUM]
ππ§πππ«π§, Digital Fundraising - Marketing, Geneva [ECO] [HUM]
ππ§πππ«π§, DEI, Geneva [LAW]
π HRW π
ππ§πππ«π§, Disability Rights Division, Nairobi [HUM]
ππ§πππ«π§, Africa Division, Johannesburg [HUM]
π Council on Foreign Relations π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Research Fellow/Fellow and Deputy Director, Future of American Strategy, New York [ACA] [DIP]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, International Trade, Washington [ECO] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, Middle East Studies, Washington [DIP] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, Geoeconomics, New York [ECO] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Temporary Research Associate, Cuba Studies, New York [DIP] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, International Economics, New York [ECO] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, Latin America Studies, New York [DIP] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant, Task Force, Washington [DIP]
ππ§ππ«π², Program Associate, Local Journalists Initiative, New York [PUD]
https://www.cfr.org/career-opportunities
π Carnegie Endowment for International Peace π
ππ§πππ«π§, Communication, Beirut [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Research, Beirut [ACA]
https://carnegieendowment.applicantpro.com/jobs/
π CSIS π
ππ§πππ«π§, Membership Groups and Special Events (Spring/Summer 2026), Washington [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Energy Security and Climate Change Program (Summer 2026), Washington [ENV] [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Defense Budget Analysis Program (Spring/Summer 2026), Washington [SEC] [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Critical Minerals Security Program (Summer 2026), Washington [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Americas Program (Summer 2026), Washington [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Multimedia Production - iDeas Lab (Summer 2026), Washington [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Center for the Industrial Base (Summer 2026), Washington [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Missile Defense Project (Summer 2026), Washington [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Congressional & Government Affairs (Summer 2026), Washington [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics (Summer 2026), Washington [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (Summer 2026), Washington [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Japan Chair (Summer 2026), Washington [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications (Summer 2026), Washington [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Korea Chair (Spring and Summer 2026), Washington [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Aerospace Security Project (Spring 2026), Washington [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications and Operations - Economic Security and Technology Department (Spring 2026), Washington [PUD] [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program (Spring 2026), Washington [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Korea Chair (Spring 2026), Washington [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Renewing American Innovation Project (Spring 2026), Washington [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Project on Prosperity and Development and the Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative (Spring 2026), Washington [ECO] [DEV]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Associate Fellow or Fellow - Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business, Washington [ECO]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Energy Security and Climate Change Program - Fellow, Washington [ENV] [SEC]
ππ§ππ«π², Program Coordinator & Research Assistant OR Program Manager & Research Associate - Freeman Chair in China Studies, Washington [ACA] [DIP]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Assistant - Aerospace Security Project, Washington [ACA] [SEC]
https://careers.csis.org/opportunities
π GCSP π
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Professional Officer, Marketing and Communications, Geneva [PUD]
https://www.gcsp.ch/work-with-us
π Green Climate Fund π
ππ§ππ«π², Travel Associate, Incheon [PUD]
https://jobs.greenclimate.fund/en/sites/CX_1001/jobs
π NRC π
ππ§πππ«π§, Head Office, Oslo (17) [HUM]
ππ§ππ«π², Wash Technical Assistant SOFT DR Congo, Kitshanga [HEA] [HUM]
ππ§ππ«π², Logistics Assistant (Procurement), Kyiv [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², ICLA Technical Assistant Nigeria, Damaturu [HUM] [LAW]
ππ§ππ«π², ICLA Technical Assistant Nigeria, Mafa [HUM] [LAW]
ππ§ππ«π², ICLA Technical Assistant Nigeria, Konduga [HUM] [LAW]
ππ§ππ«π², Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) Technical Assistant, Benghazi [HUM] [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Logistics Technical Assistant Libya, Tripoli [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², ICLA Assistant, PanamΓ‘ [HUM] [LAW]
ππ§ππ«π², Shelter Technical Assistant South Sudan, Aweil [HUM]
ππ§ππ«π², ICLA Assistant South Sudan, Aweil [HUM] [LAW]
ππ§ππ«π², ICLA Technical Assistant Ukraine, Shostka [HUM] [LAW]
ππ§ππ«π², ICT Technical Assistant Uganda, Isingiro [HUM] [LAW]
π ASEF π
ππ§πππ«π§, Culture, Singapore [ECU]
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications , Singapore [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Education (higher), Singapore [EDU]
ππ§πππ«π§, Education (youth), Singapore [EDU]
ππ§πππ«π§, Executive Office, Singapore [ACA] [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Digital Transformation, Singapore [TEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Governance and Sustainable Development, Singapore [DIP] [DEV]
ππ§πππ«π§, Human Resources, Singapore [PUD]
https://asef.org/contact-us/work-for-us/
π Asia Development Bank π
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Syndications Officer, Manila [ECO] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Communications Officer, Manila [PUD]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Risk Management Officer, Manila [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Project Officer, Manila [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Economics Officer (Development Impact), Manila [ECO] [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Finance and Administration Assistant, Manila [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Investment Officer, Hanoi [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Operations Assistant, Dhaka [ECO]
https://www.adb.org/work-with-us/careers/current-opportunities
π IDB π
ππ§ππ«π², IDB Invest - Associate - Climate and Environment, Washington [ECO] [ENV]
π EBRD π
ππ§πππ«π§, General, Istanbul [DIP] [ENV]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate, Funding(Data and Reporting), London [ECO] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate, OGC, London [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², International Tax Associate within the Tax Team at OCCO, London [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Blended Finance, London [ECO]
π SEED Madagascar π
ππ§πππ«π§, Junior Operations and Support Officer, Fort Dauphin [DEV]
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications Assistant, Fort Dauphin [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Junior Programme Officer - Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Fort Dauphin [ENV] [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Programmes Manager - Conservation and Rural Livelihoods, Fort Dauphin [ENV] [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Senior Conservation Research Assistant, Fort Dauphin [ENV]
ππ§ππ«π², Programme Manager β Schools, WASH and Solar, Fort Dauphin [DEV] [HEA]
ππ§ππ«π², Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer - Community Health, Fort Dauphin [ACA] [HEA]
ππ§ππ«π², Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer, Fort Dauphin [ACA] [DEV]
π EPF π
ππ§ππ«π², Finance Officer, Brussels [ECO]
https://www.eu-patient.eu/about-epf/Job-vacancies/job-openings/
π DrΓ₯pen i Havet π
ππ§πππ«π§, HR Support, Lesvos [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Humanitarian Aid, Lesvos [HUM]
ππ§πππ«π§, Community Empowerment Mobilization, Lesvos [HUM]
ππ§πππ«π§, Integration Support, Lesvos [HUM]
https://www.drapenihavet.no/ledige-internship/
π Last Mile Health π
ππ§πππ«π§, Finance and Accounting, Montserrado [ECO]
https://lastmilehealth.applytojob.com/apply
π Consortium on Gender, Security & Human Rights π
ππ§πππ«π§, Research & Administrative, Boston [ENV] [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Consortium, Boston [ENV] [SEC]
https://genderandsecurity.org/internship-program
π Justice in Motion π
ππ§πππ«π§, Law, Remote [LAW]
ππ§ππ«π², Communication, Remote [PUD]
https://www.justiceinmotion.org/join-us
π IFRC π
ππ§πππ«π§, Global Surge Capacity - IM and Register Management Support, Kuala Lumpur [HUM]
ππ§πππ«π§, Global Surge Capacity -Surge Learning, Kuala Lumpur [HUM]
ππ§πππ«π§, Womenβs Leadership, Jakarta [HUM]
https://www.ifrc.org/get-involved/work-us
π Fortify Rights π
ππ§ππ«π², Multimedia Associate, Maine [PUD]
https://www.fortifyrights.org/join-us/
π United Nations University π
ππ§πππ«π§, Student Assistant (Consultancy Contract - CTC), Dresden [ENV] [ECO]
π SEI π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Research, SEI Asia [ACA] [ENV]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate, SEI Asia [ACA] [ENV]
https://www.sei.org/people/jobs/
π Welthunger Hielfe π
ππ§πππ«π§, Student Assistant Partnerships, Localization, and Strategy, Bonn [PUD]
https://www.welthungerhilfe.org/jobs/
π Baan Dek Foundation π
ππ§πππ«π§, Account and Finance, Chiang Mai [ECO] [DEV]
ππ§πππ«π§, Health Literacy Empowerment Program, Chiang Mai [HEA] [EDU]
ππ§πππ«π§, HR & Admin, Chiang Mai [PUD]
https://www.baandekfoundation.org/work-with-us#workwithus
π GOAL π
ππ§πππ«π§, Volunteer, Dublin [DEV]
https://www.goalglobal.org/careers/#current-openings
π QUNO π
ππ§ππ«π², Programme Assistants, Geneva (5) [DIP] [SEC]
https://quno.org/work-with-us/
π Basel Institute on Governance π
ππ§πππ«π§, Programme with Transparency International Ukraine, Kyiv [SEC] [ECO]
https://baselgovernance.org/about-us/work-us
π HCSS π
ππ§πππ«π§, HCSS Cyberschool, The Hague [TEC] [ACA]
ππ§πππ«π§, HCSS Datalab, The Hague [TEC] [ACA]
π People in Need π
ππ§πππ«π§, Fiannce, Phnom Penh [ECO] [HUM]
https://apply.workable.com/people-in-need-2/
π SPC π
ππ§πππ«π§, Innovation Project Support, Noumea [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Finance Associate, Suva (2) [ECO] [DEV]
https://careers.spc.int/all-jobs
π IMPACT Initiatives π
ππ§πππ«π§, Research Quality Assurance Unit, Geneva [ACA]
https://www.impact-initiatives.org/work-with-us/#vacancies
π ACTED π
ππ§ππ«π², Democratic Republic of the Congo : Project Developement Officer β Kinshasa [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Sudan : Country Logistics Officer β Port-Sudan [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Myanmar: Country Finance Officer β Yangon [DEV] [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Libya : Country Finance Officer β Tunis [DEV] [ECO]
https://www.acted.org/en/get-involved/join-us/vacancies/
π NED π
ππ§πππ«π§, Government Relations and Communications, Washington [DIP] [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Digital Currency, Washington [ECO]
https://www.ned.org/about/jobs/#openings-list
π ISS π
ππ§πππ«π§, Justice and Violence Prevention, Cape Town [LAW] [SEC]
https://issafrica.org/about-us/careers-and-opportunities
π European Endowment for Democracy π
ππ§πππ«π§, Grantmaking support (EaP), Brussels [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Grantmaking support (EaP, Ukrainian language), Brussels [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Grantmaking support (Western Balkans), Brussels [ECO]
https://apply.workable.com/eed/
π Center for Democracy & Technology i π
ππ§πππ«π§, Fall 2026 & Spring 2027 Academic Year Externship, Washington (10) [LAW] [TEC]
π Eurocities π
ππ§πππ«π§, Economic development, Brussels [ECO] [DEV]
π RAND Europe π
ππ§ππ«π², Events Assistant, Cambridge [PUD]
https://www.rand.org/randeurope/employment.html
π DRC π
ππ§πππ«π§, DRC Standby Roster Team, Copenhagen [HUM]
ππ§ππ«π², Finance Assistant, Juba [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Humanitarian Mine Action Assistant (Paramedic), Kharkiv [HEA] [HUM]
ππ§ππ«π², Protection assistant-Hotline, Tunis [HUM] [HEA]
ππ§ππ«π², Economic Recovery Assistant, Irbid [ECO] [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Economic Recovery Assistant, Mafraq [ECO] [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Economic Recovery Assistant, East Amman [ECO] [DEV]
ππ§ππ«π², Emergency Assistant, Sumy [DEV] [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Humanitarian Mine Action Assistant (NTS/EORE Assistant), Shostka [HUM] [EDU]
ππ§ππ«π², Protection Assistant, Barvinkove [HUM]
ππ§ππ«π², Protection Assistant (Psychosocial Support), Daraa [HUM] [HEA]
ππ§ππ«π², Protection Monitoring Assistant, Rural Damascus [HUM] [SEC]
ππ§ππ«π², Administration Assistant, Mykolaiv [HUM]
π IISS π
ππ§ππ«π², Research Assistant for the Korea Chair Programme, London [ACA] [DIP]
ππ§ππ«π², Accounts Assistant, London [ECO]
π IRC π
ππ§πππ«π§, Various, - (29) [HUM] [DEV]
https://careers.rescue.org/us/en
π BIED Society π
ππ§πππ«π§, 2025 Research Specialists, - [ACA]
ππ§πππ«π§, 2025 Young Professionals Program, - [ACA]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, 2025 Publication Fellows, - [PUD]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, 2025 International Affairs Fellows, - [DIP] [ACA]
https://www.biedsociety.com/jobs-new
π CMI β Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation π
ππ§πππ«π§, Eurasia, Helsinki [DIP] [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Sub-Saharan Africa, Helsinki [DIP] [SEC]
https://cmi.fi/about-us/careers/
π CEPS π
ππ§ππ«π², Research Assistant / Researcher β Raw materials and industrial decarbonisation policies (ERCC Unit), Brussels [ACA] [ENV]
https://www.ceps.eu/about-ceps/career-opportunities/
π ICMPD π
ππ§ππ«π², Project Management Assistant, Sarajevo [DIP]
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Project Officer, Amman [DIP]
ππ§ππ«π², Project Management Assistant, Abidjan [DIP]
ππ§ππ«π², Project Management Assistant, Tunis [DIP]
π TEPSA π
ππ§ππ«π², Project Assistant, Brussels [ACA] [DIP]
π CNAS π
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications, Washington [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Research, Washington [ACA]
ππ§πππ«π§, Development, Washington [DEV]
π Democracy International π
ππ§πππ«π§, Social Media & Projects, Cologne [PUD]
https://www.democracy-international.org/jobs-internships-volunteering
π Middle East Institute π
ππ§πππ«π§, Arts & Culture, Washington [EDU]
ππ§πππ«π§, Programs and Events, Washington [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Policy Center, Washington [DIP]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Security Fellowship Program, Washington [SEC] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Assistant: Policy Center, Washington [ACA] [DIP]
π Global Policy Forum π
ππ§πππ«π§, GPF Europe, Berlin or Cologne [DIP] [ACA]
https://www.globalpolicy.org/en/jobs-internship
π CGD π
ππ§ππ«π², Research Assistant β Gender Equality (Temporary), Washington [ACA] [HUM]
π International Justice Mission π
ππ§πππ«π§, Accounting, - [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Advocacy & Survivor Leadership, Washington [DIP] [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Aftercare Field Office , - [HUM] [HEA]
ππ§πππ«π§, Business Operations, - [ECO]
ππ§πππ«π§, Communications,- [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Creative,- [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Employee Experience & Events,- [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Executive, Washington [DIP]
ππ§πππ«π§, Field Administration, - [LAW]
ππ§πππ«π§, Global Program Management, Washington [PUD] [ACA]
ππ§πππ«π§, Global Safety & Security,- [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Government Relations & Advocacy,- [DIP] [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Human Resources,- [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Innovation & Design,- [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Investigations & Law Enforcement Development, - [ACA] [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, Legal Operations,- [LAW]
ππ§πππ«π§, Marketing,- [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Partnerships,- [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Policy & Advocacy, Washington [DIP] [PUD]
ππ§πππ«π§, Program Management,- [LAW]
ππ§πππ«π§, Program Quality and Measurement Field Office,- [ACA]
ππ§πππ«π§, Technology Adoption & Operations,- [TEC]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Aftercare Field Office ,- [HUM] [HEA]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Communications, - [PUD]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Field Administration,- [LAW]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Government Relations & Advocacy,- [DIP] [PUD]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Investigations & Law Enforcement Development,- [ACA] [SEC]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Partnerships,- [PUD]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Program Management,- [HUM]
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Program Quality and Measurement Field Office,- [ACA]
https://ijm.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/careers-ijm
π CATO Institute π
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate β Immigration Policy, Washington [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Research Associate β Trade Policy, Washington [ECO] [ACA]
ππ§ππ«π², Technology Associate, Washington [TEC] [ACA]
https://www.cato.org/about/open-positions
π Front Line Defenders π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Frank Jennings Fellowship, Blackrock [HUM]
https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering
π SWISS Peace π
ππ§πππ«π§, Continuing Education, Basel [EDU]
ππ§ππ«π², Associate Program Officer Communication, Basel [PUD]
https://www.swisspeace.ch/about-us/jobs
π World Resources Institute π
ππ§ππ«π², Communications and Outreach Associate, Washington [PUD]
ππ§ππ«π², Data Analysis Assistant for Customary Law Community, Jakarta [ACA] [LAW]
https://www.wri.org/careers/jobs
π CPJ π
π ππ₯π₯π¨π°, Climate Change and Press Freedom Fellow, Remote [SEC] [ACA]
π Atlantic Council π
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Washington [PUD] [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Program Assistant, Media Relations & Social Media, Washington [PUD]
ππ§ππ«π², Project Assistant, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative, Washington [ECO] [DIP]
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/careers/
π Caspian Policy Center π
ππ§πππ«π§, Research, Washington [ACA]
https://www.caspianpolicy.org/careers
π GIN π
ππ§ππ«π², Associate, Development, New York [DEV]
https://jobs.thegiin.org/jobs-at-the-giin/
π Kiel Institut π
ππ§πππ«π§, The Ukraine Support Tracker, Kiel [ECO] [SEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, The (Geo-)Politics of Global Telecommunications, Kiel [DIP] [TEC]
ππ§πππ«π§, International capital flows, Kiel [ECO]
ππ§ππ«π², Junior Researcher on Ukraine Support and the Economics of Security, Kiel [ECO] [SEC]
Looking forward for your chat with YPFP, thanks for the time!
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