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Program Associate

- Wednesday, April 16, 2025 |
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About JINSA:

The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) is dedicated to advancing U.S. national security interests in the Middle East, a critical pillar of which is a strong U.S.–Israel security relationship. JINSA believes that Israel is the most capable and critical U.S. security partner in the 21st century and that a strong America is the best guarantor of Western civilization.

JINSA advances its mission through educational programs that build enduring ties among American, Israeli, and other allied military leaders, as well as through in-depth research and actionable policy recommendations. JINSA is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) organization.

Role Overview

The Programs Associate supports JINSA’s portfolio of senior-level military and policy programs, including delegations, briefings, and professional development initiatives. This role sits at the intersection of program execution, relationship management, and institutional continuity, ensuring that JINSA’s engagements are executed at a high standard and sustained over time.

The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating in professional environments with senior military leaders, government officials, and donors. The Programs Associate understands that JINSA’s programs are not one-off events, but a core mechanism for building long-term strategic relationships.

This is a full-time, Washington, DC–based position reporting to the Vice President of Programs and the Senior Program & Development Associate.

Key Responsibilities

Program Planning & Execution

  • Support the planning and execution of domestic and international programs, including logistics, travel coordination, participant communications, and on-site support
  • Assist with agenda development, briefing materials, and run-of-show documents
  • Track timelines, deliverables, and follow-up actions to ensure programs are executed on schedule and within budget

Participant & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as a primary point of contact for program participants before, during, and after engagements
  • Support relationship management with senior military leaders, congressional staff, policymakers, and allied partners
  • Assist in coordinating follow-on engagement opportunities, including briefings, calls, and invitations to future programs

Data, Tracking & Institutional Knowledge

  • Maintain accurate records of program participation, engagement history, and follow-up activity in internal trackers and databases
  • Support the collection of quantitative and qualitative program insights for internal reporting, grant reporting, and leadership briefings
  • Capture lessons learned and relationship history to ensure continuity across programs

Cross-Team Collaboration

  • Coordinate with the Development team to support donor-facing program moments and post-program follow-up
  • Work closely with the Policy team to ensure program insights inform research and publications
  • Assist with internal reporting and planning related to program outcomes and engagement trends

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree required; coursework in international affairs, security studies, political science, or a related field preferred
  • 1–3 years of relevant experience in programs, operations, policy, or stakeholder engagement
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Professional judgment and discretion when working with senior-level participants
  • Comfort operating in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment
  • Self-starter who can work independently while collaborating effectively with a team
  • Proficiency in standard office software (Excel, Word, Outlook)
  • Demonstrated perseverance and follow-through
  • Familiarity with the pro-Israel policy and national security landscape

Preferred Experience:

  • Experience supporting high-level convenings, delegations, or executive programs
  • Familiarity with U.S. national security, defense, or foreign policy institutions
  • Experience with CRM systems, tracking tools, or program databases
  • Prior nonprofit, think tank, government, or military-adjacent experience

Goals:

  • Programs are executed smoothly, professionally, and reliably
  • Participants remain engaged with JINSA beyond a single program
  • Program data and follow-up information are accurate, accessible, and actionable
  • The Programs team can build on prior engagements rather than starting from scratch

Benefits:

JINSA offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being, professional development, and long-term financial security, including:

  • Competitive nonprofit compensation
  • Generous retirement benefits, including a 403(b) plan with an employer contribution of up to 10% of salary, fully vested immediately
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance options
  • Life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
  • Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, federal holidays, and Jewish holidays
  • Professional development support for relevant training, conferences, and educational opportunities
  • Collaborative, mission-driven work environment with exposure to senior leaders across the national security community

JINSA is committed to fostering a supportive workplace that values professionalism, responsibility, and long-term growth.

To Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and brief writing sample to Lidia Bernd, Senior Program & Development Associate, at lbernd@jinsa.org