The Council on Strategic Risks (CSR) seeks to hire a full-time team member focused on addressing biological weapons threats. CSR is open to diverse expertise and a range of experience levels in candidates. The best candidates will have the vision and potential needed to become a true leader in national and international security and a passion for countering biological weapons. The person in this role will work closely with CSR’s CEO Christine Parthemore, Senior Fellow Andy Weber, and others from the CSR team and network.

The person filling this role will:

• Help ensure biological weapons threats are recognized and understood, and promote ideas and policies that help ensure responses are commensurate to the threat. 
  • Educate stakeholders on bioweapons threats and opportunities for improving responses. This will include briefings to Congressional staff members and Executive Branch experts, meetings with innovators in science and technical fields, and more.   
  • Identify and build relationships with diverse experts, policy makers, and leaders in government and nongovernmental organizations.
  • Assist in strategic planning for and execution of the CSR bio team’s outreach efforts, including meetings, events, and workshops.
  • Engage, lead, and at times mobilize stakeholder networks and strategic partners. This will include advisors and affiliates of CSR, senior civilian and military security and foreign policy leaders, donors, and beyond. 

• Help lead the development and advancement of a roadmap for the vision of making bioweapons obsolete as a threat of mass destruction.
  • Analyze current U.S. policies, programs, and budget trends for addressing biological weapons.
  • Identify opportunities for making significant advances in how the nation addresses bioweapons threats, and develop specific policy recommendations accordingly, including those that may inform:
    • The next National Biodefense Strategy, National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy,
    • Annual budgeting and planning cycles, and
    • Potential future executive and legislative policy changes stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. 
  • Assist in developing concepts for leveraging new & existing tech and tools to more rapidly and effectively identify and respond to biological threats as they emerge. 
  • Assist in disseminating recommendations, including by briefing key stakeholders; writing reports, op-eds, and quick-turn blog posts; and other mechanisms.

• Assist in project management and organizational responsibilities, and be supported and mentored in doing so, which may include the following:
  • Assisting in managing budgets and personnel (possibly to include leading collaboration processes with coauthors, contributors, and project partners).
  • Managing change and troubleshooting.
  • Leading events, discussions, and briefings; and participating in public speaking and media relations. 
  • Fundraising and/or maintaining strong relationships with funders.
  • Contributing to social media efforts, including through generating and promoting content on platforms such as, but not limited to, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.
  • Participating in occasional strategic evaluation, development, and personnel processes for CSR.
  • Helping to advance CSR’s diversity and inclusivity goals.
  • Taking on other responsibilities that may be requested from time to time.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong working knowledge of international security issues and trends
• Expertise in and passion for addressing biological weapons threats
• Strong writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• A desire to work in multidisciplinary, silo-busting environments
• A combination of experience relevant to the roles identified above and an advanced degree
• Location (at least part time) in Washington, DC is strongly desired

CSR has a highly flexible work environment with members of our team spanning the United States and the world. Outside of specific meetings and events (when they may be conducted safely) teleworking is our norm. CSR will help the right candidate develop or expand skills required for success in this position and expects there will be opportunities for future growth.

Compensation will be approximately $75,000-$110,000 per year, depending on qualifications, plus benefits.

Apply at this link. CSR will accept applications until October 31, 2020.

CSR is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee, job applicant, subcontractor, prospective subcontractor, volunteer or prospective volunteer on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.