Economic Statecraft Initiative - Fall 2026 Young Global Professionals Program

About the Economic Statecraft Initiative

Housed within the GeoEconomics Center, the Economic Statecraft Initiative (ESI) publishes leading-edge research and analysis on sanctions and the use of economic power to achieve foreign policy objectives and protect national security interests. Coercive and positive economic statecraft measures are increasingly used by the United States, European Union, and their allies and partners to address global challenges.

ESI convenes public events and private roundtable discussions to explore challenges and opportunities, providing policymakers and the private sector with unbiased data-driven analysis and actionable recommendations to shape economic statecraft solutions to global challenges.

The initiative leverages deep government experience, regulatory expertise, and proprietary data to produce widely read analysis and expert briefings. Their impactful body of work includes the internationally recognized Global Sanctions Dashboard, Russia Sanctions Database, and Dollar Dominance Monitor. ESI leads the Council’s work on sanctions evasion and illicit finance and regularly hosts the Illicit Finance and Financial Crimes (IFFC) roundtable series.

About the GeoEconomics Center

The GeoEconomics Center is committed to the mission of developing a rich set of programs and thought leadership at the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy. The Center aims to bridge the divide between these oft-siloed sectors and be a translation hub, with the goal of helping shape a better global economic future. The United States must lead with allies or risk becoming a bystander in a splintering global economy. At a time of global economic recession and fractured US politics, this mission has never been more important. The Center is organized around three core pillars: 1) The Future of Capitalism; 2) The Future of Money; and 3) The Economic Statecraft Initiative.

Overview of the Role

Young global Professionals are an integral part of the Economic Statecraft Initiative and actively engage with events and publications. Reporting to the director of the Economic Statecraft Initiative, the successful candidate will focus on supporting our economic statecraft mission, including conducting research to prepare the initiative director for public appearances, and supporting the ESI staff in planning events, preparing formal invitations and participants lists, producing social media content, and conducting research and producing data visualizations for the various trackers of the Initiative.

The successful candidate will have a passion for the work, an entrepreneurial ethos, and a collegial spirit while also being an effective communicator. With a work culture of continual learning, an inclination toward deadlines and a demonstrated interest in international affairs and economics through class work and/or experience is strongly preferred.

Applications reflecting strong writing and editing skills will be prioritized for consideration. This position is based in our Washington, DC, headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in the office. Interns will be compensated at a rate of $18.50 per hour. The deadline for submitting applications is June 5, 2026.

In the cover letter, candidates should discuss why they are interested in this position and how their skills and experiences will help advance ESI’s mission and programming.

Responsibilities 

• Support the ESI staff in planning and executing Economic Statecraft Initiative events, including drafting invite language, tracking RSVPs, and supporting in-person logistics on the day of events.
• Regularly create social media content synthesizing ESI’s publications and current events.
• Draft memos for the director’s speaking engagements and events while following guidance from the ESI staff and incorporating feedback.
• Conduct research as needed to support Initiative activities, including briefings on current events, key stakeholders, and emerging issues.
• Assist the ESI staff in daily operations and programming of the Initiative.

• Must be at least a college junior in good standing, a graduate student, or a recent graduate, preferably in Economics or International Affairs or a relevant discipline.
• Applicants must be able to work full-time (40 hours per week) and be in the office four days per week.
• Strong international affairs background from academic and/or professional experience.
• Interest in national security and how economic power is leveraged to advance foreign policy and national security.
• Intellectual curiosity and willingness to learn and step outside comfort zones.
• Experience with WordPress and developing/editing webpages.
• Experience organizing events or leading groups from academic or professional experience, or extracurricular activities.
• Data analysis and research skills – Python, R, excel.
• Strong analytic skills.
• Strong communication skills – verbal and written communication.
• Language skills are a plus.

Applications close Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm ET (4:59 am GMT) and require a resume and cover letter. Due to the large volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Salary : $19