Strategic Analysis & International Operations - Paid Internship

Strategic Analysis & International Operations Intern

Employment type: Paid, part-time internship (temporary)

Term: Spring 2027: academic semester; exact dates to be confirmed

Commitment: 10-20 hours per week

Work arrangement: Primarily remote, with scheduled coordination across international time zones

Pay: $22/hr.

Role Overview:

This paid internship gives a current undergraduate direct exposure to the research, analysis, coordination, and problem-solving that support international security and government-services operations. Each intern will be paired one-on-one with a senior business leader responsible for a geographic portfolio, client relationship, operational program, or cross-business priority. The role is designed to provide meaningful ownership rather than observation alone. The intern will manage defined workstreams, produce professional-quality outputs, and receive regular direction, mentorship, and feedback. Assignments will be tailored to business needs, the leader's portfolio, and the intern's interests and capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Business Leader & Portfolio Support:

• Work directly with the assigned business leader to research priority questions, prepare for meetings, capture actions, and follow through on agreed workstreams.
• Maintain concise trackers, briefing notes, decision logs, contact research, and other portfolio-management tools.
• Consolidate information from operations, risk, commercial, and other internal stakeholders into clear, usable outputs.
• Coordinate with in-country or functional colleagues, when appropriate, to gather information and support defined projects.

Research & Strategic Analysis:

• Conduct open-source research on countries, clients, sectors, competitors, partners, regulations, political developments, and operating environments.
• Assess source quality, distinguish confirmed information from unverified reporting, and document sources so findings can be checked and reused.
• Turn complex information into concise executive summaries, briefing notes, slide content, issue papers, and short outlooks.
• Identify emerging developments, patterns, risks, and opportunities that may affect a portfolio or client program.

Operational, Risk & Commercial Support:

• Support country and operational monitoring, incident logging, emerging-risk tracking, mapping, and recurring risk or management reporting where relevant to the placement.
• Analyze public procurement material, client requirements, market developments, and competitor or partner information.
• Contribute background research, compliance notes, capability content, and other inputs for proposals, presentations, and client discussions.
• Maintain high accuracy, version control, and appropriate handling of commercially sensitive or operational information.

AI-Enabled Improvement & Data Support:

• Support approved AI initiatives for research synthesis, reporting, knowledge management, tender analysis, and business-process improvement.
• Identify repetitive workflows that may be improved through automation; help test prototypes, document processes, and measure practical value.
• Validate AI-assisted outputs through human review, source checking, and quality control before information is used or shared.
• Maintain structured information in tools such as Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, Power BI, mapping platforms, or other approved systems, depending on the assignment.

Learning & Development Outcomes:

• Receive direct mentorship and practical feedback from an experienced international business leader.
• Build an understanding of how security, risk, government-services, and commercial teams support operations in complex and high-risk environments.
• Strengthen open-source research, analytical judgment, professional writing, data management, and executive-briefing skills.
• Gain hands-on experience applying AI responsibly to real business workflows and evaluating the quality of AI-assisted work.
• Develop cross-cultural communication, remote collaboration, time management, discretion, and accountability across an international organization.
• Complete defined deliverables that can support an academic or professional portfolio, subject to confidentiality restrictions.

Candidate Profile

Required:

• Current undergraduate student in good academic standing during the Fall 2026 semester.
• Strong interest in international business, government services, security, geopolitical affairs, risk, operations, data, or applied AI.
• Ability to commit 10-20 hours per week and manage assignments reliably alongside academic responsibilities.
• Strong research, critical-thinking, and written communication skills, with the ability to present high-impact information first and write in concise U.S. English.
• High attention to detail, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and willingness to ask questions when requirements or sources are unclear.
• Working proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to learn new analytical, collaboration, or data tools quickly.
• Professionalism, discretion, and ability to handle confidential or commercially sensitive information on a need-to-know basis.
• Ability to satisfy the work-authorization and employment requirements applicable to the final work location and employing entity.

Preferred:

• Coursework in international affairs, security policy, political science, economics, business, data science, computer science, geography, communications, or a related field.
• Experience with open-source research, country or market analysis, data visualization, mapping, Power BI, advanced Excel, AI tools, or workflow automation.
• International, cross-cultural, government, military, nonprofit, consulting, or business experience through work, study, volunteering, or student activities.
• Foreign-language capability relevant to the portfolio, including Arabic, French, Ukrainian, Somali, Bahasa Indonesia, or another regional language.
• Prior professional security experience is not required.

Working Arrangements & Professional Expectations:

• The internship is expected to run during the Spring 2027 academic semester, with an anticipated commitment of 10-20 hours per week. The precise duration, schedule, and hourly compensation will be confirmed through the formal offer process.
• Work will be planned around the intern's academic schedule. Because GWFS operates internationally, occasional scheduled calls may fall outside standard U.S. business hours; all such time will count toward the intern's paid weekly hours. This is not an on-call position.
• The role is expected to be primarily remote. Travel is not required unless separately discussed, approved, and arranged in accordance with Company policy.
• All work must be completed using authorized systems and in accordance with Company policies on confidentiality, information security, data protection, AI use, and professional conduct. Sensitive information must not be entered into unapproved tools or shared outside authorized channels.

Accountability:

The intern is accountable to the assigned GWFS business leader for the quality, timeliness, accuracy, and professional handling of assigned work. The placement will include regular one-on-one check-ins, a defined learning and work plan, and an end-of-semester performance review or university evaluation where required.