The Week That Will Be

Event Announcements (More details on the Events Calendar)

Monday, March 21st at 11 am: The CATO Institute will host an event entitled America's Invisible Wars. Mark Mazzetti will moderate a conversation with Emma Ashford, Bronwyn Bruton, Charles Schmitz, and Moeed Yusef. RSVP.

Tuesday, March 22nd at 2 pm: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hear testimony on Hezbollah's Growing Threat Against U.S. National Security Interests in the Middle East. Matthew Levitt, Tony Badran, and Daniel Byman will provide testimony. Find more information on the committee's website.

Wednesday, March 23rd at 9:30 am: The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on the Administration's Plan to Close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility: At What Foreign Policy and National Security Cost? U.S. Department of State Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure Lee Wolosky and U.S. Department of Defense Special Envoy for Guantanamo Closure Paul Lewis will provide testimony. Watch the hearing live or register to attend here.

Thursday, March 24th at 9 am: At the Brookings Institution, Richard Bush will moderate a conversation with Akihiro Iwashita, Thomas Wright, Chisako T. Masuo, and David Gordon on the Emerging China-Russia Axis: The Return of Geopolitics? Register to attend here.

Employment Announcements (More details on the Job Board)

Lawfare Summer 2016 Internship

Internship Summary

This academic focused summer internship, beginning May 2016, is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year or graduate students with an interest in national security to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. This intern will assist with running and maintaining Lawfare, a website devoted to serious, non-ideological discussion of national security legal and policy issues.

Lawfare has emerged as the internet’s indispensable resource for information and analysis on the law of national security. Devoted to “Hard National Security Choices,” the site features top-quality writing and analysis from experts on developing stories in the national security arena, relevant legislation, and judicial opinions. It is a digital magazine that includes a podcast, a book review, research tools, a daily news roundup, an events calendar, and exhaustive coverage of events other media touch only glancingly.

This unpaid internship provides a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to the student’s field of study or career interest. It will provide an opportunity for career exploration and development as well as a chance to learn new skills.

Learning Objectives

Students will have an opportunity learn a variety of research skills such as writing, research and blog maintenance. Learning will fall into three main categories:

Writing:

• Work with Associate Editor to monitor national security and foreign policy developments, and 3-4 times per week, co-write “Today’s Headlines and Commentary.”
• Work with Associate Editor to co-write “The Week that Will Be,” a weekly feature that outlines upcoming events, academic announcements, and employment announcements.
• Work with the Associate Editor to co-write a regular deep-dive analytical piece on a relevant national security law and policy issue.
• Sole-author “The Week that Was,” a weekly piece that provides a guide to the week’s Lawfare content.

Research:

• Provide research support to the Lawfare editorial team as needed. Current projects include a book manuscript on data and technology proliferation and their implications for security; a paper on technology and privacy; and a paper on military justice.
• Work to develop the Lawfare Wiki by taking a deep research dive into one or two areas of national security law. The intern will identify key primary source materials, summarize relevant documents, and create and develop the topic page on Lawfare.

Maintaining the blog:

• Tag and categorize all Lawfare posts
• Track relevant Congressional hearings
• Track and add relevant events to the Events Calendar

In addition to providing support to the scholars directly, interns will have the opportunity to attend internal meetings, local think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events as well as participate on Brookings sports teams and network with other interns throughout the Institution.

Education/Knowledge/Skills

Graduate or undergraduate student (who has completed their sophomore year) working towards a degree in government, political science, international relations, and law are encouraged to apply. Our most successful interns have very strong writing, analytical, and research skills, as well as excellent verbal and organizational skills---preferably demonstrated through prior independent research or previous experience as a research assistant.

Application Procedure

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Applicants should send the following documents to Cody Poplin at Cpoplin@brookings.edu:

1. A cover letter highlighting your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals; and

2. A resume along with contact information for three academic or professional references.

EEO Statement

Brookings is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, or other factors protected by law. Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings. No phone calls please.

Legal Intern

FUNCTION: Legal Intern

DEPARTMENT: International Humanitarian Law (IHL)

Place of employment: Washington

DIRECT SUPERIOR: Legal Advisor

SEMESTER: Fall 2016 or Spring 2017

FUNCTION DESCRIPTION

Intern – International Humanitarian Law

OBJECTIVE: The Intern in the IHL Department at the Washington Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) provides research and writing on topics of IHL, other branches of international law, and U.S. law as needed, thus contributing to the thematic and operational priorities of the legal team.

Minimum required knowledge & experience:

• Basic knowledge of IHL and a related legal field (e.g. National Security or Human Rights Law).
• Excellent oral and written English skills, good understanding of French an asset
• Currently pursuing a U.S. J.D. or LLM degree (or JD graduate pursuing another graduate degree)
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents (student work permits are excluded)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Main Responsibilities

Work with the IHL team to provide legal advice to the delegation in Washington, and to the ICRC as a whole on matters of IHL, human rights law, national security law, or other U.S. legal issues.

1. Research and Writing. Research such topics as scope of application of IHL, detention, conduct of hostilities, cyber/new technology and weapons, and other related topics. Possibility of authoring articles or other short pieces for the ICRC’s U.S. blog (intercrossblog.icrc.org).
2. Monitor Legal Developments Regular monitoring of legal blogs and news coverage to identify significant legal developments of interest to the delegation. In addition to research, the intern will attend conferences and meetings in order to monitor developments on specific legal issues on behalf of the legal team.
3. Reporting. Regular and timely reporting and analysis on meetings and events attended, as well as a weekly report on any relevant legal developments reported in external sources such as legal blogs. Reports are written for the purpose of ensuring the institution is informed of developments in U.S. policy, as well as to advance its thinking on key issues.

Management and Reporting Line. The IHL Intern reports directly to the IHL Legal Advisor. He/she is expected to collaborate with colleagues throughout the delegation in order to carry out these and other reasonably related duties.

The intern will be expected to work 20 hours a week for either the Fall or Spring semester (candidates may state their semester preference if contacted for an interview). . This is a paid internship. For information about the position, please contact Andrea Harrison at anharrison@icrc.org. To apply, please send CV and optional cover letter to Carly Steffes at csteffes@icrc.org. Applications are due April 1st, 2016.

Senior Associate General Counsel

Agency: Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Job Announcement Number: Senior Counsel-15793

SALARY RANGE: $108,887.00 to $160,300.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 to Wednesday, March 23, 2016

SERIES & GRADE: GS-0905-15

POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time - Permanent

DUTY LOCATIONS: Montgomery County, MD View Map

SECURITY CLEARANCE: Top Secret/SCI

SUPERVISORY STATUS: No

JOB SUMMARY:

The Senior Counsel, National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) provides legal advice and general counsel directly to the NCSC Director, Deputy Director, Executive Director, and other ODNI and NCSC seniors on counterintelligence, security, and insider threat matters. Issues stem from how the Director exercises his statutory authority to coordinate the U.S. Government’s counterintelligence enterprise, how the Center develops and implements high priority programs across the Federal Governments such as Security Clearance Reform and Continuous Evaluation, and responding to crises such as the data breach at the Office of Personnel Management. The Senior Counsel also provides guidance on information sharing, policy development, and the Center’s interaction with Congressional oversight committees.

Additionally, the Senior Counsel supervises and mentors one or more junior attorneys, and is responsible for ensuring they are appropriately challenged, rewarded, and given the support and tools necessary to succeed. This includes providing effective and timely feedback on substantive issues, engaging in career development counselling, assisting in the development and execution of individual development plans, and making appropriate training and career development opportunities available.

See more information on the job announcement.

Deputy Assistant Attorney General

Organization: Department of Justice

Office: National Security Division

Position: Deputy Assistant Attorney General

Salary: $123,175 to $185,100

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) performs all duties assigned or required to execute the AAG's policy, programmatic, legal, and administrative agenda including but not limited to the following:

• Provides supervisory and management oversight of a staff of lawyers and non-lawyers within the Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Foreign Investment Review Staff, who handle extremely sensitive matters of significance to NSD, including, but not limited to: cybersecurity and counterintelligence-related matters; reviews of foreign acquisitions of domestic entities that might affect national security; tracking and monitoring of transactions that have been approved and identifying unreported transactions that might merit review; and responding to Federal Communication Commission (FCC) requests for the Department's views relating to the national security implications of certain transactions relating to FCC licenses.
• Plans, directs, and reviews work to be accomplished by subordinates. As required, establishes program emphasis, develops operating policies and guidelines, and communicates policies and priorities. In furtherance of these functions, determines and implements internal organization, practices, training needs, and improvements in work processes and procedures.
• Prepares legal policy analyses, papers, memoranda, reports, and advice insuring that all policies or recommendations are legally and administratively sound and consistent with Department objectives. Participates in discussions and implements policies advocated by the AAG. Works closely with the intelligence community on national security matters.
• Performs research for various written issuances concerning legal areas in which the Department has an interest. Assignments require personal contacts and discussions with the staff members throughout the Department and other agencies as required to obtain information and assistance in preparation of materials and reports.
• Prepares or reviews legal or other memoranda for the attention or signature of the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General (PDAAG) and the AAG. In this connection, engages in research appropriate to the legal or quasi-legal problem at hand. Provides written and oral recommendations to the PDAAG and AAG.
• Analyzes and prepares reports on questions or problems of interest to the AAG. These include issues in individual cases, as well as questions of Department of Justice policy or legal administration. Relays the AAG's policies and philosophies concerning sensitive matters.
• Reviews and evaluates proposed legal actions and recommendations submitted for the approval of the AAG. Analyzes evidence and legal theory of proposed, litigation, and summarizes findings for the AAG.
• Participates in conferences between the AAG and members of the executive staff, or officials of other government agencies or private organizations.
• Represents the AAG at governmental meetings and conferences and speaks for the AAG on delegated subject-matter topics outlining policies and issues of a sensitive nature.
• Provides strong advocacy and commitment to the Division's priorities concerning workforce diversity and equal employment opportunity and demonstrates strong commitment for merit promotion principles in all aspects of hiring, selection, development and performance management of employees.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least five (5) years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.

The selectee will undergo a suitability review conducted by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management.

You must submit a resume and a separate narrative statement/response that addresses each of the Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualification Requirements related to this position as well as the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) related to all positions in the Senior Executive Service.

Current or former career Senior Executive Service (SES) employees who have had their Executive Core Qualifications approved by a Qualifications Review Board (QRB) at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) are not required to address the ECQs, but must address all Mandatory Professional/Technical Qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY:

Your application must be submitted by mail, fax, email (ses/sl.applications@usdoj.gov ), or hand-delivery; however; You must ensure that your application is received in JMD/HR at the address specified in the announcement no later than 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Please note that sending your application other than by fax or email may result in a delay in your package being received in JMD/HR prior to the deadline; therefore, you would not receive consideration.

Please note that application materials mailed in franked government envelopes will not be considered for this position.

INTERNET SITE: This vacancy announcement is also posted on the USAJobs website at https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/428408600

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Linda Anderson
Phone: (202)532-4589
Fax: (202)514-0673
Email: SES/SL.APPLICATIONS@USDOJ.GOV

Agency Information:
National Security Division
JMD Human Resources
145 N Street NE Room 9W300
Washington, DC 20530
USA

Fax: (202)514-0673