IR Career Starters
January 2026
New year, new ideas and a new edition of the IR Career Starters Newsletter!
I have now been running the newsletter on both Substack and LinkedIn for a year, and on LinkedIn alone for almost 4 years (in its current format). And while it is a rewarding hobby, it is also challenging and time-consuming.
Each edition of the newsletter takes a few evenings to produce, and with twelve editions per year, this translates to workweeks of production.
In addition, there are regular shares, articles, guest lectures, and responding to the immense number of messages that come my way on LinkedIn; many people are struggling to enter the field and seek help. I try my best to get to everyone, but it’s next to impossible.
I do take pride in maintaining the newsletter, website, and everything as an open-access service for those entering the field; the fuel for me is good karma and making sure these efforts reach those who need them.
Despite the altruism, I do have to share my huge appreciation for Jennifer, Mark, Chloe, CIS, YCW, Artem, and Tamara for more than covering the costs of server, domain, and software upkeep through their Substack subscriptions, and to Vanessa for sending very welcome coffee my way.
IRC Statistics
For those curious, I have once again collected some statistics on the performance of the newsletter: on average, each edition is read by 25-30.000 users of the 50.000 subscribers, which is quite decent when seen alone.
For Substack, performance is honestly quite abysmal; engagement is exceptionally low, and without engagement, there is no growth, reach, or minimal reward from consistent content. This is a little sad, as I really do like the platform and since this was both suggested and heavily requested platform to adopt.
LinkedIn has always been my primary platform, but it is not an easy one to thrive on; with significant algorithm changes and newsletters losing prominence, it’s much harder to gain meaningful reach. The platform is increasingly pivoting towards “thoughtleader boosting” i.e. if I want to reach those who can make use of the newsletter, then I have to pay money to boost my content.
How can you support the IRC?
As you might imagine, you, as readers, are critical to ensuring the newsletter thrives; if engagement is strong, it leads to organic growth, greater awareness, and a broader reach among the next generations of talent seeking careers in international affairs.
So please, if this content is of use to you or those around you, consider dropping a comment, reposting it, reacting to it or sharing it directly with those who might find it helpful. If there is no engagement with the content, then I have no way of knowing if it’s worth the effort.
For 2026, I will evaluate what makes the most sense in the future, with the workload involved in producing the newsletter, platform challenges and dwindling interest in this heavy and unsexy content, then it might be time to reshuffle a bit; I am very keen to hear what you think, prefer and can suggest for the future!
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
Opportunities
🌐 International Peace Institute 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Program Coordinator, New York [SEC]
https://www.ipinst.org/about/employment
🌐 OECD 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Assistants – Science, Technology and Innovation, Paris (6) [PUD]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Junior Policy Analyst, Paris [ECO] [ENV]
https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/OECD/oecd---en
🌐 GIZ 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Partnership for Energy Efficiency in Buildings (PEEB), Bonn [ENV]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Communications for the Digital Convergence Initiative (DCI) / Digital transformation of social protection systems, Bonn [PUD]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Venture Capital in Africa, Eschborn [ECO]
🌐 AIIB 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Investment Associate, Project & Corporate Finance, Beijing [ECO]
https://www.aiib.org/en/opportunities/career/job-vacancies/staff/index.html
🌐 DRC 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Case Management Assistant, Bama [HEA] [HUM]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Safety Assistant - Liaison, Tubah [SEC] [DIP]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, WASH Assistant, Khoka [HEA] [HUM]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Safety Assistant, Mykolaiv [SEC]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Supply Chain Assistant (Fleet Assistant), Mykolaiv [HUM]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, WASH Assistant - Site Engineer, Lahj [HEA] [HUM]
https://drc.ngo/about-us/work-with-us/
🌐 MSF 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, MENA Humanitarian Representation Assistant, Dubai [HUM]
https://www.msf.org/jobs#signposting-tool-list
🌐 Human Rights Watch 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Europe & Central Asia Division, Berlin [HUM] [DIP]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Development & Outreach Department, Tokyo [PUD]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Asia Division, Tokyo [HUM] [DIP]
https://www.hrw.org/careers#all_jobs
🌐 Council on Foreign Relations 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Program Assistant, Fellowship Affairs, New York or Washington [DIP]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Program Associate, Local Journalists Initiative, New York [PUD]
https://www.cfr.org/career-opportunities/open-positions
🌐 European Army Interoperability Centre 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Defence & Security Research, Brussels [SEC] [ACA]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Legal Research, Brussels [LAW] [ACA]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Communications, Brussels [PUD]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Editor, Brussels [PUD]
🌐 Brookings Institution 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Finance Assistant, Economic Studies, Washington [ECO]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Assistant, Special Events, Washington [PUD]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Research Assistant, Economic Studies, Washington [ACA] [ECO]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Research Assistant, The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Washington [ACA] [ECO]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Research Assistant or Senior Research Assistant, The Hamilton Project, Washington [ACA] [DIP]
https://careers-brookings.icims.com/
🌐 RAND Corporation 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Bachelor’s Level Research Assistant – Quantitative, - [ACA]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Bachelor’s Level Research Assistant - Qualitative, - [ACA]
https://www.rand.org/jobs.html
🌐 CSIS 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Economic Security and Technology Department (Spring 2026), Washington [ECO] [TEC]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Americas Program (Spring 2026), Washington [ACA] [DIP]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program (Spring 2026), Washington [ACA] [DIP]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business (Spring 2026), Washington [ECO] [ACA]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Critical Minerals Security Program (Spring 2026), Washington [SEC] [ACA]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Korea Chair (Spring 2026), Washington [ACA] [DIP]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Southeast Asia (Spring 2026), Washington [ACA] [DIP]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Renewing American Innovation Project (Spring 2026), Washington [ACA] [DIP]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Project on Prosperity and Development and the Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative (Spring 2026), Washington [ACA] [PUD]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics (Spring 2026), Washington [ECO] [ACA]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Japan Chair (Spring 2026), Washington [ACA] [DIP]
𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰, Economic Security and Technology (EST) Front Office, Washington [ECO] [TEC]
𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰, Energy Security and Climate Change Program, Washington [ECO] [ACA]
𝐅𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰, H. Andrew Schwartz, Washington [PUD]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Research Assistant - Aerospace Security Project, Washington [ACA] [SEC]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Research Assistant or Research Associate - Center for the Industrial Base, Washington [ACA]
https://careers.csis.org/opportunities
🌐 ICRC 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Associate - Department of Operations - Accountability, Analysis and Evidence Unit, Geneva [ACA] [PUD]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Associate in the Protection Division, Geneva [HUM]
🌐 NRC 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Logistics Assistant Ethiopia, North Maitsebri [HUM]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Logistics Assistant Ethiopia, North Amhara [HUM]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Logistics Assistant Ethiopia, North-Humera [HUM]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Technical Assistant, Yemen [HUM] [ACA]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Shelter Technical Assistant, Tripoli [HUM]
🌐 ASEF 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Culture Department, Singapore [ACA] [PUD]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Communications Department, Singapore [PUD]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Executive Office, Singapore [ACA] [DIP]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Governance Unit, Singapore [ACA] [PUD]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Human Resources Unit, Singapore [PUD]
https://asef.org/contact-us/work-for-us/
🌐 IAEA 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Associate Accounting Officer (P2), Vienna (3) [ECO]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Associate Publishing Officer - Content Design(P2), Vienna [PUD]
https://iaea.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl
🌐 EBRD 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Associate Banker, Baghdad [ECO]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Associate, London [LAW]
https://jobs.ebrd.com/search/?q=&locationsearch=
🌐 CEB 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Junior Social Development Specialist, Paris [ACA] [ECO]
https://jobs.coebank.org/search/?createNewAlert=false&q=
🌐 Center for Democracy & Technology 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, 2026 Development or Communications Summer, Washington [PUD] [DIP]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, 2026 Legal, Policy, Research, or Technologist Summer Internship, Washington [ACA]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Spring 2026 Academic-Year Externship, Washington [ACA]
🌐 RAND Europe 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Research Assistant - Science and Emerging Technology, Cambridge [ACA] [TEC]
https://www.rand.org/randeurope/employment.html
🌐 German Marshall Fund of the United States 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Transatlantic Security/Global Power Shifts, Washington [SEC] [ACA]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Geostrategy Hub-Risk and Strategy Workstream, Paris [DIP] [ACA]
https://gmfus.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-openings.php?search=true&
🌐 IRC 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, HSPRS Caseworker Assistant, New York [HEA] [HUM]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Administrative Assistant - Receptionist, Phoenix [PUD]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Food and Agriculture Assistant, New York [ENV]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Cash and Basic Needs Assistant, Dnipro [DEV]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Humanitarian Access, Safety and Security Assistant, Dnipro [HUM] [SEC]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, MEAL Assistant, Mykolaiv [HUM] [ACA]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Youth Program Assistant, Atlanta [EDU]
https://careers.rescue.org/us/en
🌐 Consortium on Gender, Security & Human Rights 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Research & Administrative, Boston [ACA] [DIP]
https://genderandsecurity.org/internship-program
🌐 5Rights 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, UK Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Remote (London) [DIP] [PUD]
https://5rightsfoundation.com/vacancies/
🌐 Plan International 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maroua [ACA] [DEV]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Education in Emergency Assistant, Gambela [EDU] [HUM]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Procurement Assistant, Gambela [ECO]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Supply Chain & Admin Assistant for Drilling Operations, Gambela [ECO]
https://jobs.plan-international.org/
🌐 ACT 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Finance & Administrative Assistant, Remote (Jordan) [ECO] [PUD]
https://actalliance.org/careers/
🌐 EPC 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Programme Assistant – Sustainable Prosperity for Europe programme, Brussels [DIP] [ENV]
https://www.epc.eu/vacancies/programme-assistant-sustainable-prosperity-for-europe-programme/
🌐 GFI Europe 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Communications Associate, Remote (Germany) [PUD]
https://gfieurope.org/careers/
🌐 IRI 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Project Associate, Remote (USA) [DIP]
https://www.iri.org/work-with-iri/#career-opportunity
🌐 SEED Madagascar 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Conservation Research Assistant, Fort Dauphin [ENV] [ACA]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Junior Programme Officer - Schools, WASH and Solar, Fort Dauphin
Intern, Junior Programme Officer - Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Fort Dauphin [DEV] [ENV]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead, Fort Dauphin [ACA] [DEV]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Pro Bono PR & Media Consultant, Remote [PUD]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Media and Communications Officer, Fort Dauphin [PUD]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Programme Officer - Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development, Fort Dauphin [DEV] [ENV]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Programme Manager – Schools, WASH and Solar, Fort Dauphin [HUM] [EDU]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Programme Officer – Schools, WASH and Solar, Fort Dauphin [HUM] [EDU]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Programmes Manager - Community Health, Fort Dauphin [DEV] [HEA]
🌐 IREX 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Program Assistant, Kyiv [PUD] [ECO]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Program Associate, Washington [PUD] [ECO]
https://www.irex.org/job-seekers
🌐 Dråpen i Havet 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, HR Support, Lesvos [PUD]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Humanitarian Aid, Lesvos [HUM]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Community Empowerment Mobilization, Lesvos [HUM]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Integration Support, Lesvos [HUM]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Fieldworker, Lesvos [HUM]
https://www.drapenihavet.no/ledige-internship/
https://drapenihavet.teamtailor.com/#jobs
🌐 MEDAIR 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Philanthropy and Partnership, Zurich [PUD] [ECO]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Philanthropy and Partnership, Ecublens [PUD] [ECO]
🌐 UNU 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Programme Assistant, Postgraduate Degree and Training Programme, Tokyo [ACA] [DIP]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Programme Associate, Biodiversity and Society, Tokyo [ENV] [DIP]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Operations & Finance Associate GS6, Kuala Lumpur [ECO]
🌐 SEI 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Early-career computer scientist: AI tools for data extraction, Stockholm [ACA] [TEC]
https://www.sei.org/people/jobs/
🌐 Baan Dek Foundation 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, BSI Communications, Bangkok [PUD] [DEV]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Video Editor & Translator, Remote (Thailand) [PUD] [DEV]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Accountant and Finance, Chiang Maitsebri [ECO] [DEV]
https://baan-dek.jobs.personio.com/
🌐 ISHR 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Full-time Advocacy Programme, Geneva [HUM] [PUD]
https://ishr.ch/work-with-us/internships/
🌐 GOAL 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Volunteer, Dublin [HUM]
https://www.goalglobal.org/careers/#current-openings
🌐 Climate Action Network 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Network Development Assistant, Bonn [ENV] [PUD]
https://climatenetwork.org/get-involved/work-with-us/
🌐 Basel Institute on Governance 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Associate, Corruption Prevention – Ukraine, Kyiv [LAW]
https://baselgovernance.org/about-us/work-us
🌐 HCSS 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, General, the Hague [ACA] [SEC]
🌐 Asia Foundation 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Assistant Program Officer, Philippines [DIP]
https://asiafoundation.org/about/careers/
🌐 Pacific Community 🌐
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Human Resources Associate, Suva (2) [DEV]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Project Assistant, Strengthening Water and Sanitation Governance in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM WASH), Suva [ENV] [ECO]
https://careers.spc.int/all-jobs
🌐 ACTED 🌐
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Democratic Republic of the Congo : Country Transparency & Compliance Volunteer – Kinshasa [ECO] [DEV]
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧, Democratic Republic of the Congo : Transparency & Compliance Volunteer – Kinshasa [LAW] [DEV]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Kenya : Project Development Officer – Nairobi [DEV]
𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, Democratic Republic of the Congo : Area Logistics Officer – Gbadolite [DEV]
Thank you so much for your posts! They are very valuable and helpful for a lot of us who are trying to find opportunities in the international relations field :)