Internships
Congressional Office for International Leadership Program Management Intern
- Program Website: http://www.openworld.gov/
- Hosting Service Unit: Congressional Office for International Leadership
- Program Contact: sparson@coil.gov
- Interests/Areas of Study: Public Affairs; Exchange Program Management; Public Diplomacy; Congress; European, Eurasian countries; Indo-Pacific countries
- Citizenship: USA
- Application Period: Spring, Summer, and Fall
- Application Notes:
- Compensation: Interns will be hired at the GS-05/Step 1or the GS-07/Step 1. Please refer to OPM.gov for the most up-to-date salary table.
- Academic Credit: The Congressional Office for International Leadership does not provide academic credit, but you may arrange with your school in advance to receive credit.
- Available Benefits: LC Internal Discounts; Metrochek
- Program Duration: Negotiable
- Qualifications: US. Residents
The Congressional Office for International Leadership administers the Open World Program, one of the most effective U.S. exchange programs for emerging or struggling democracies. COIL is an agency of the Legislative Branch and supports Congress. More than 31,000 current and future leaders from European, Eurasian, and Indo-Pacific countries have participated since the program’s inception in 1999. Participants meaningfully engage and interact with Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and thousands of other Americans, many of whom are the delegates’ direct professional counterparts.
The Open World Program focuses both on assisting Congress in its oversight responsibilities and on conducting exchanges that establish lasting professional relationships between the up-and-coming leaders of Open World countries and Americans dedicated to showcasing U.S. values and democratic institutions. COIL’s bipartisan nature and independence from the priorities of the Executive Branch is an important asset for the program.
Interns assist COIL staff in planning, coordinating, and executing Open World program activities in Washington, D.C., including:
- Assisting preparing reports summarizing program activity, delegate participation, and outcomes.
- Conducting background research on congressional diplomacy, legislative bodies, governance, civil society, and other Open World topics. (COIL’s mission includes introducing emerging global leaders to U.S. governance and democratic institutions.)
- Monitoring relevant congressional, NGO, and international developments and compile briefings or reports for the COIL team.
- Supporting congressional outreach by identifying opportunities for delegates to meet with members of Congress or their staff.
- Assisting in drafting communications materials — including press releases, social media copy, website updates, and newsletters — to promote COIL activities or delegate stories.
- Contributing to the maintenance and growth of COIL’s alumni network by helping track alumni outcomes, relationships, and joint projects post-program.
- Providing other research and administrative support as needed.
