Job Opening: Research and Program Assistant The Nuclear Debates in Asia project

Research and Program Assistant

The Nuclear Debates in Asia project

Sigur Center for Asian Studies

George Washington University

Position Summary

The Research and Program Assistant (RPA) will provide research, administrative, logistical, program, and budget support to the Sigur Center for Asian Studies. The incumbent will work primarily on the Rising Powers Initiative and will be the primary point of contact for all research, programmatic, and financial needs for a team of more than 20 researchers in the United States and Asia. This position will be research-intensive and those duties will occupy approximately 50 percent of the incumbent’s attention. The RPA will compose substantive, high-level briefing memos and background papers on nuclear issues in key countries in East, Southeast, and South Asia for the project team by synthesizing and analyzing large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data. The balance of the RPA’s effort will be devoted to programmatic and administrative responsibilities.

The Rising Powers Initiative (RPI) is comprised of a set of interrelated research projects that explore various dynamics within the following major and aspiring powers in Asia and Eurasia: ASEAN, China, India, Japan, Korea, and Russia. The discrete projects included within the RPI are: Worldviews of Rising Powers: Exploring Domestic Foreign Policy Debates; Worldviews of Aspiring Powers: Implications for the United States and Global Leadership; Major Powers, Rising Powers, and Identity Shifts in Asia: Implications for Regional and Global Security Cooperation; The Nuclear Debates in Asia: Balancing Risks and Rewards; and Asian Powers and Economic Challenges. While the incumbent will support all projects, s/he will be especially involved in the Nuclear Debates in Asia: Balancing Risks and Rewardsproject led by Professors Deepa Ollapally and Mike Mochizuki. This is an excellent opportunity for a young professional with background in Asia, nuclear issues, and international relations to play a major role in a cutting-edge, rapidly-growing research initiative.

Salary: $31,000 - $35,000 depending on experience

To apply: Send resume and cover letter to sigurcenter503@gmail.com. No calls, please.

Job Duties

·         Acts as primary point of contact for a team of 20 experts researching nuclear proliferation issues in Asia. Provides desktop research on Asian countries’ voting records in nuclear issues in international fora. Researches range of domestic debates on nuclear energy and nuclear security in key Asian countries. Composes substantive briefing memos and background papers on nuclear issues in select countries in East, Southeast, and South Asia for the project team by synthesizing and analyzing large amounts of qualitative and quantitative data.

·         Manages program budgets, grants, and all financial transactions. Processes reimbursements, honoraria, and all other project payments.

·         Organizes and executes all project-related public events, private conferences, and meetings. This includes coordinating all travel arrangements, catering, and all other logistical needs.

·         Maintains, updates, and manages project website. Maintains and manages project listservs and announcements. Writes, edits, designs, and produces a variety of publications and prepares background materials for project participants.

·         In conjunction with project directors, manages all internal and external reporting associated with these projects.

·         Serves as primary administrative support staff for associated projects.

·         Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Desired Qualifications

·         BA preferably in Asian Studies, International Relations, Political Science, or Public Policy

·         Substantial knowledge of nuclear issues in Asia

·         Knowledge of a modern Asian language

·         Demonstrated experience and interest in Asia and international affairs

·         Excellent writing and editing skills

·         Professional experience using social media tools (Twitter, Facebook, and blogs)

·         Graphic design experience using InDesign, Adobe Acrobat, or similar programs

·         Prior professional experience with project or program management

·         Experience with website design and management

·         Cross-cultural experience and/or working in an international environment

·         Excellent communication, customer service, and organizational skills

·         Grants management and proposal writing experience

·         Familiarity with accounting systems and other financial management tools

·         Event/conference planning experience

·         Excellent organizational skills and ability to juggle multiple tasks while meeting multiple deadlines

·         Familiarity with word processing, database management, Excel, and PowerPoint

·         Ability to work with little supervision, but also teamwork skills

Application Procedure

Send resume and cover letter to sigurcenter503@gmail.com. No calls, please.

Carnegie Junior Fellows Program

Application Materials Now Available for the
CARNEGIE ENDOWMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE: JUNIOR FELLOWS PROGRAM<http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/index.cfm?fa=jrFellows>

GW Deadline: November 16, 2012 
Each year the Carnegie Endowment offers 8-10 one-year fellowships to uniquely qualified graduating seniors and individuals who have graduated during the past academic year. They are selected through a highly competitive process from a pool of nominees from close to 300 colleges, and each year, GW may endorse only two applications.

Individuals who have started graduate studies are not eligible. Candidates should have significant coursework in international affairs, political science, economics, history or Russian or Chinese studies.  Other relevant foreign language abilities are desirable as well.

Carnegie Junior Fellows provide research assistance to senior researchers working on the Carnegie Endowment's projects such as non-proliferation, democracy building, trade, US leadership, China-related issues and Russian/Eurasian studies. Junior Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research for books, co-author journal articles and policy papers, participate in meetings with high-level officials, contribute to congressional testimony and organize briefings attended by scholars, activists, journalists and government officials.
To learn more, visit: http://www.carnegieendowment.org/about/index.cfm?fa=jrFellows.  For a copy of applications materials, please contact us at fellcent@gwu.edu.

This year's project areas include:

• Democracy

• Nuclear Policy

• Energy and Climate

• Economics – Economics background required.

• Middle East Studies – Native or near-native Arabic language skills essential.

• South Asian Studies – Applicants should be comfortable with quantitative data manipulation as well as possess an interest in military issues. Strong background in international relations, political theory, or international political economy is essential.  Note: Foreign language skills not required.  

• Asian Studies – Mandarin Chinese reading skills a huge plus.  Japanese language skills my be helpful.

• Russian/Eurasian Studies – Excellent Russian language skills are required.

AWARD: Positions are paid, full-time positions for one year. Junior fellows are currently paid a gross salary of $36,000/year. A full benefits package is also provided.

ELIGIBILITY: Graduating seniors and those who have graduated within the past year.  Applicants should have at least a 3.7 GPA and cannot have started a graduate program.

GW APPLICATION DEADLINE: GW can nominate up to two applications. To be included in the GW nomination process, please submit acomplete application to the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research by Friday, November 16, 2012.

If you are interested in applying for a Carnegie Junior Fellowship and would like a copy of the application materials or if have any questions please email us at fellcent@gwu.edu.
Fan the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/GWU-Center-for-Undergraduate-Fellowships-and-Research/141965255865409

Spring 2013 Internship with the Congressional-Executive Commission on China

SPRING 2013 INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT

Congressional-Executive Commission on China

Deadline: November 1, 2012

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (www.cecc.gov) is offering paid internships to qualified undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates this coming fall in Washington, D.C. Interns must be U.S. citizens. The application deadline is November 1, 2012 for the Spring 2013 internship that runs from January to May 2013. Spring internships are part-time; interns are expected to work from 15 to 20 hours per week. See application instructions below.

CECC internships provide significant educational and professional experience for undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates with a background in Chinese politics, law, and society, and strong Chinese language skills.

Interns work closely with the Commission and its staff on the full array of issues concerning human rights, the rule of law, and governance in China (including criminal justice, democratic governance institutions, environmental problems, religious freedom, freedom of expression, ethnic minority rights, women's rights, etc.).

Interns perform important research support tasks (often in Chinese), attend seminars, meet Members of Congress and experts from the United States and abroad, and draft Commission analyses. Click here for CECC analysis of recent developments in the rule of law and human rights in China. Interns may also be trained to work with the Commission's Political Prisoner Database, which has been accessible by the public since its launch in November 2004 (click here to begin a search).

The CECC staff is committed to interns’ professional development, and holds regular roundtables for interns on important China-related issues.

Spring 2013 interns will be paid $10/hour. Those unable to apply for Spring 2013 internships may apply for the Fall (September-December) or Summer (June-August). Further details are available on the Commission's Web site at http://www.cecc.gov/pages/general/employ.php.

Qualifications:

• Interns must be U.S. citizens.
• Interns should have completed at least some China-related coursework. It is also desirable that they have some background in one or more of the specific human rights and rule of law issues in the CECC legislative mandate.
• Interns should be able to read Chinese well enough to assist with research in newspapers, journals, and on Web sites. More advanced Chinese language capability would be a plus. The successful candidate for an internship often will have lived or studied in mainland China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan.
• Although our interns are generally undergraduates, graduate students, or recent graduates, others are also welcome to apply.

Application Instructions for Spring 2013:

Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for two references, to the CECC via e-mail to Judy Wright, Director of Administration at judy.wright@mail.house.gov by November 1, 2012. Applications must be received by our office no later than 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on November 1. Please discuss in your cover letter how your professional goals, interests, and background relate to the Commission's legislative mandate regarding human rights and the rule of law in China. No phone calls please.

Job Opening: East-West Center Projects and Outreach Coordinater

PROJECTS AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR (1302)

EAST-WEST CENTER in WASHINGTON

 The East-West Center is accepting applications for a three-year limited full-time position as a Projects and Outreach Coordinator at the East-West Center in Washington (D.C.). The incumbent is responsible for coordinating multiple, ongoing initiatives such as the Asia Studies and Japan Studies visiting Fellowship programs; activities associated with the AsiaMattersforAmerica initiative including coordination of grants and outreach, internship and work study programs; the writing and dissemination of the EWCW external monthly newsletter and feeds on Twitter and Facebook and overall office management including the coordination of visitors, office calendar and coordination with EWC staff in Honolulu regarding administration and basic budget duties. 

Major duties include coordinating Visiting Fellows programs including coordination between Fellows and Mentors; arranging Japan component of field study; handling arrangements for new Visiting Fellows; coordinating procedural, advertising and logistical arrangements for programs including tasks such as visas, travel, advertising and communications with fellows; coordinating grants and projects associated with theAsiaMattersforAmerica  initiative; assists with coordinating new posts to the website by staff, interns and external partners; coordinates work with vendors and contractors related to the site and other tasks to keep the AMA site active and updated. The AMA initiative is a major public effort requiring high visibility and engagement with the external community. Other duties include coordinating interaction with DC-area universities and organizations to support the work study and intern programs; working with IT/Computer Consultant/Contractor and EWC Headquarters IT staff to support communications and IT systems at EWCW; using judgment and knowledge of EWC activities updates EWCW section of EWC website; proposing new features to make site more attractive and usable; and participating in developing outreach activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  Master’s degree or equivalent in International Relations, Political Science, Economics or a related field plus at least one year of experience researching and analyzing information/data using various computer software programs to present findings. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proficiency with database applications and web software to manage, create and update website content.  Demonstrated experience working both independently and collaboratively in the planning and execution of activities and working cooperatively with people of diverse cultural, professional, and social backgrounds. Ability to successfully handle multiple projects with competing demands. Professional manner and approach to work environment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Work experience in a think tank, StateDepartment, or similar environment with a focus on Asia Pacific issues.Experience working in the Asia Pacific region.  Strong computer skills, including web design. 

SALARY:  $51,630 per year and an attractive benefits package. 

HOW TO APPLY:  Submit a cover letter including position title and a statement addressing how the qualifications are met, a resume, and names and addresses of three professional references.  Screening and assessment will be based on the materials you submit.  Email to hrrecrut@eastwestcenter.org or send to Human Resources, East-West Center, 1601 East-West Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1601.  Applications received by October 26, 2012 will receive full consideration. 

Volunteer Opportunity: Rebalance to Asia, Refocus on Okinawa Conference on October 23rd

Volunteer Position:
Date: Tuesday, October 23rd
Time (tentative): 7am-1:30pm 
Place: A hotel in downtown Washington, D.C. (Near Metro Center Metro Station) 
Event Organizer: Washington CORE, LLC 
Background: 
The event organizer is seeking several graduate students to support an event on US-Japan alliance with 
a prominent key note speaker and panel, who are experts on the US-Japan relationship, China studies, 
and broader Asia and Pacific affairs. Invited audience includes experts from government agencies, 
congressional offices, think tanks, academia, and other related organizations, as well as media from the 
United States and Japan (see the next page for more details).
Expected Key Responsibilities: 
The volunteers will assist the organizer in various tasks including but not limited to: 
• Venue set up before the event 
• Helping with registration desk 
o Greeting and welcoming the audience 
o Signing attendants in and handing out materials 
• Other tasks as they arise 
If interested, please send an e-mail, titled “Volunteer Application”, to (takan@wcore.com) listing the
following information by 9:00 AM on Wednesday, October 10th, and the event organizer will be in 
contact shortly: 
• Name 
• Phone Number 
• E-mail Address 
• Name of your academic program and the year you are in 
• A few sentences describing why you would like to volunteer for this event 
About Washington CORE, LLC: 
Based in Bethesda, MD, Washington CORE is a research/consulting company with clients from around 
the world. Its projects vary from policy analysis and market research to support of foreign delegates visiting 
Washington D.C. and other locations in the world.  
For more details, visit our website: http://www.wcore.com/

Details on the Conference

Rebalance to Asia, Refocus on Okinawa: Okinawa's Role in an Evolving US-Japan Alliance

Please join us for a panel discussion on evolving security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region and Okinawa’s essential security contribution to the U.S.-Japan alliance as both countries develop strategic responses to China’s growing naval presence, North Korean provocations, and other potential flashpoints.

On October 23, the Okinawa Prefectural Government will sponsor a panel discussion on the U.S.-Japan alliance and a luncheon keynote address by Senator Jim Webb of Virginia. In the panel discussion,Governor Hirokazu Nakaima of Okinawa Prefecture will discuss security dynamics in the Asia-Pacific region with distinguished American and Japanese policy experts. The discussion will cover issues such as possible solutions to the current impasse over the Futenma relocation plan, security and cooperation in East Asia, and Okinawa’s future role in the U.S. rebalance to Asia. After the discussion, panelists will take audience questions.

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• With a morning panel discussion on regional security, the U.S.-Japan alliance, and new solutions to ongoing challenges in Okinawa, featuring:

• The Honorable Hirokazu Nakaima: Governor of Okinawa
• Patrick M. Cronin: Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program, Center for a New American Security
• Narushige Michishita: Director of Security and International Studies Program; Associate Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Japan
• Michael O’Hanlon: Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy, Brookings Institution
• Akio Takahara: Professor of Contemporary Chinese Politics, Graduate School of Law and Politics, The University Tokyo

Panelists following Governor Nakaima are listed in alphabetical order.

• Moderated by: Mike M. Mochizuki
  Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, The Elliott School of International Affairs, The George Washington University
• Luncheon keynote address by:
• The Honorable Jim Webb: Senior U.S. Senator from Virginia

Date and Location: Tuesday, October 23, 2012 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Willard InterContinental Hotel 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C. 20004 Lunch and a brief breakfast will be provided

Contact Information: Event Coordinator: James Tetlow / Chris Wood Washington CORE TEL: 240-491-1013 Email: info@okinawa-conference.com Members of the media should contact the Event Coordinator.

Learn about the Japan Exchange & Teaching Program - Oct. 2nd and Oct. 9

The JET Program will be visiting George Washington University for the fall 2012 career fair on Tuesday, Oct. 2nd, and in addition, it will also hold a public information session at the Japan Information and Culture Center on Tuesday, October 9th.  

In the past, JET has hired several recent graduates from GWU, and is hoping to recruit some bright, enthusiastic applicants once again this year.

The JET Program is the largest program for English instructors in Japan, sponsored by the Japanese government.  Each year it sends 800-1000 American young professionals to teach English in Japanese public schools.  A small percentage of JET participants also work in local government offices on international relations projects.  This past summer, JET sent approximately 75 new participants from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area, to join a total of nearly 5,000 participants throughout Japan.

The JET Program allows participants to live in Japan while learning about Japan's educational system and gaining valuable teaching, communication, and cross cultural skills.

FALL 2012 CAREER FAIR

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012

11:00am-1:00pm

Charles E. Smith Center

INFORMATION SESSION

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012

6:30pm-8:00pm

Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC)

1150 18th St. NW, Washington, DC

*Please RSVP to jetprogram@ws.mofa.go.jp


For more information and to apply online, please visit the following website:
http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/

Specific questions can be addressed to their office at:
jetprogram@ws.mofa.go.jp OR (202) 238-6772/6773

"GW Spotlights India as Next Global Partner"

Media Credit: Nick Rice / Graphics Assistant

Read the insightful comments made by Deepa Ollapally, Associate Director of the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at the Elliott School of International Affairs, about GW's increasing international focus on India in the GW Hatchet article "GW Spotlights India as Next Global Partner."

Deepa Ollapally warns the University to prepare for challenges like competition from other U.S. schools and India’s bureaucratic government, which she lists as the “the biggest obstacle.” She also discusses the deep-seated challenges in establishing worthwhile partnerships with Indian institutions, especially due to the traditional mindset against foreign involvement that permeates across India's academy and bureaucracy.

Nevertheless, GW hopes to send more students to India in the upcoming years in recognition of India's growing importance in the world.

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Backgroud:
Deepa Ollapally is directing a major research project on power and identity and the worldviews of rising and aspiring powers in Asia and Eurasia. Her research focuses on domestic foreign policy debates in India and its implications for regional security and global leadership of the U.S. Her co-edited book, Worldviews of Aspiring Powers is forthcoming from Oxford University Press in 2012. Her most recent book is The Politics of Extremism in South Asia published by Cambridge University Press in 2008. She has published in journals such as Foreign Affairs, Asian Survey, and Political Science Quarterly.