Congressional Affairs Intern

Job Description

About Company

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962. Its core mission is to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, CSIS has grown significantly to become one of the largest organizations of its kind, headquartered in Washington, D.C.

CSIS boasts a substantial team, comprising approximately 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts. These experts are dedicated to addressing the evolving dynamics of international security across the globe, conducting research, analysis, and developing forward-looking policy initiatives.

Job Description

Job Title: Congressional Affairs Intern

Department: Congressional and Government Affairs

Internship Period: January through May 2026

Type of Position: Full-time, paid internship

Job Overview:
CSIS Congressional and Government Affairs is seeking highly motivated candidates for a full-time, paid internship. The Congressional Affairs Intern will be an integral part of a dynamic and fast-paced team. This role focuses on strengthening CSIS’s relationships with the U.S. Congress, supporting briefings, and actively promoting CSIS research to Capitol Hill. The intern will directly contribute to CSIS’s mission of providing targeted, useful, and timely support to inform the decision-making processes of key policymakers. The environment is described as fast-paced, requiring self-starters with strong attention to detail who are comfortable with a wide variety of analytic and logistical tasks.

Compensation:
The intern will be paid an hourly rate commensurate with their education:
• $18.00/hour for current undergraduate hires.
• $19.00/hour for hires with a bachelor’s degree.
• $20.00/hour for hires with a master’s degree.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Essential functions for this role include, but are not limited to:
• Drafting and copyediting official correspondence.
• Assisting with event preparation and staffing for both public and private events.
• Supporting program research and analysis of congressional activities.
• Tracking relevant congressional actions and legislation.
• Supporting various long-term projects for the Congressional Affairs team, including background research, proposal writing, and data gathering.
• Drafting and formatting program mailings, and ensuring the accuracy of mailing lists.
• Providing general administrative support to the entire Congressional Affairs team.

Knowledge, Education, and Experience Requirements:
Candidates should possess:
• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Excellent research, writing, and copy-editing skills with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both in written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to prioritize, track, and accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a willingness to work effectively in a team environment.
• General knowledge of international affairs and a strong interest in Capitol Hill.
• The ability to exercise effective professional judgment, sensitivity, and creativity in response to changing needs and situations.
• Political or nonprofit experience is considered a plus.
• A strong background in Excel, database management, and/or email marketing platforms is desirable.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions:
The physical demands are representative of those typically encountered by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
CSIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color, or any other protected class.

Application Process:
Interested applicants should apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Applicants must submit a cover letter and résumé.
• Applications must be submitted through the CSIS website at https://careers.csis.org/internships.
• The deadline to submit applications is Friday, November 21, at 5:00 PM ET.
• To apply, click the “Apply” button provided in the job listing, which will redirect you to their secure recruitment portal.