NDU ISMO Assistant Program Specialist (DoD) - D.C.

The ISMO internship program is open to U.S. citizens. The National Defense University (NDU) is the nation’s preeminent joint institution for education, research and outreach in national and international security. Established in 1976, NDU is dedicated to educating, developing and inspiring national security leaders.

Within NDU, the International Student Management Office (ISMO) is the administrative home to all international students attending NDU in-residence. Aligned with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s priorities, military and civilian officials from across the globe study at NDU. ISMO provides programmatic and practical support for NDU’s international students and their families.

This internship is unpaid, but eligible for academic or course credit if approved by your educational institution. We accept applications for summer, fall and spring terms on an ongoing basis.

Interns interface daily with senior foreign military officers and their families from around the world, working with ISMO staff to support program needs. In addition to administrative assistance, Interns help in the execution of the ISMO American Studies Course, an academic program that introduces the International Fellows (IFs) to all aspects of the United States and its people. Interns will assist and in implementing a travel program to cities and towns around the country. Interns typically participate in these trips at least once per semester.

Intern duties involve the preparation for Field Study trips, participation in the American Studies Academic program, planning and participation in social events such as receptions, conferences, and ceremonies with officers and their families, assistance with the Alumni program, and assistance to the ISMO staff for daily tasks and projects.

The ISMO internship program is a student/entry-level introduction to US Department of Defense’s Security Assistance and Security Cooperation mission. It offers opportunities for Interns to pursue personal interests, such as attending events, briefings, and conferences hosted by NDU and related regional and security studies centers. It is a fantastic opportunity to network in the Washington international security studies community. ISMO will afford interns every opportunity for professional development and self-improvement within the confines of program requirements.

Interns are provided flexibility to take required classes and work part-time as needed to fulfill their academic requirements and sustain the cost-of-living in the D.C. area. However, we ask all interns to let us know their proposed schedule and provide advanced notice, if changes are necessary. Interns are encouraged to work consecutive days, if possible.

Hours are very flexible.

Interns work 0930 to 1530 with lunch during a typical 3 to 4 day work week.

We accept applications for summer, fall and spring terms on an ongoing basis.

ISMO is a primary interface between foreign officials and the US, therefore applicants should:

- Be highly motivated, able to complete basic tasks with little supervision and anticipate program requirements with little direction

- Be friendly, courteous, culturally sensitive, team player

- Demonstrate an interest in international affairs, political science, security studies, or a related fields

- Bachelor’s degree or actively enrolled in undergraduate program

- Computer and technology proficient, to include MS Office

- Excel, Access, and database management skills a plus

- Superior written and verbal communication skills

- Time commitment of approximately 3 months, or one academic semester – time

commitment of approximately 30 hours per week

- Ability to provide paperwork, fingerprints, and documentation to obtain a suitability clearance for

access to a DoD network

- Foreign language proficiency (useful but not required)

- More details are available at http://ismo.ndu.edu/About/Internships/

- Preference is given to intern who apply early and complete the security background process which may take up to 30 days.

- Interns are accepted on a rolling basis for each semester (Fall, Spring and Summer). Please apply early if possible to start the background check and NACI-T1 Clearance process (Fingerprint submission is required)