Program Associate Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC hosts a high concentration of program associate roles at international organizations, nonprofits, think tanks, and federal contractors such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, Pew Research Center, and Brookings Institution. Many of these employers have established visa sponsorship pipelines, making DC one of the more active markets for internationally sponsored program associate positions.
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The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decisionmakers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of over 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe. The CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies is a leading source of insight and analysis on China’s evolving political system, domestic agenda, and foreign policy. Our work focuses on leadership politics, policymaking and decision-making processes, party-state governance, political discourse and the role of ideology, sources of political stability and risk, and how these dynamics affect the broader world. The Program Coordinator and Research Assistant (PCRA) or Program Manager and Research Associate (PMRA) will provide administrative and research support to senior staff of the Freeman Chair in China Studies. The PCRA or PMRA will play a critical role in supporting the operational and substantive goals of the program. This includes managing day-to-day operations, coordinating events, supporting fundraising and outreach efforts, and contributing to the program’s research agenda. A strong understanding of Chinese domestic politics and/or foreign policy is required for this role. The salary range for a Program Coordinator and Research Assistant (PCRA) is $57,000-$62,000, based on experience. The salary range for a Program Manager and Research Associate (PMRA) is $60,000-$67,000, based on experience.
DEADLINE TO APPLY - MARCH 13, 2026
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:
Program Coordination & Administration
- Manage calendars, correspondence, and travel itineraries for senior program staff.
- Coordinate logistics for meetings, conferences, seminars, and international trips.
- Oversee budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
- Draft contracts and process payments for consultants and associates.
- Support grant applications, donor communications, and reporting requirements.
- Hire and supervise interns, including recruitment and daily task management.
- Update web and social media content and assist with multimedia products.
- Liaise with internal CSIS teams and external partners, including U.S. and international officials.
Research & Analysis
- Conduct research (including Chinese language documents) to support publications and briefings.
- Draft and edit research products including policy briefs, commentaries, reports, and donor communications.
- Monitor developments in relevant policy areas.
- Assist in conceptualizing new project ideas and contribute to grant proposal development.
Outreach & Communications
- Develop and manage the program’s social media presence.
- Liaise with funders, experts, partner organizations, and government officials.
- Maintain and improve databases of stakeholders and contacts.
- Draft concept papers and proposals for fundraising and partnerships.
Knowledge, Education, And Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, or a related field required. For PMRA, masters degree preferred.
- For PCRA, 1-2 years of relevant professional experience. For PMRA, more than two years of relevant experience.
- Strong understanding of Chinese domestic politics and/or Chinese foreign policy.
- Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. The successful candidate should be able to research and analyze Chinese language documents, and manage email correspondence in Chinese regarding program events. Facility with additional regional languages is preferred.
- Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills.
- Facility with data analysis and quantitative research methods preferred.
- Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and event planning preferred.
- Experience with professional use of social media preferred.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Physical Requirements And Work Conditions
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
How To Apply
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply at https://careers.csis.org/ by no later than March 13, 2026. All applicants must submit the following in one PDF document:
- Resume/CV (one page).
- Cover letter.
- A short (no more than 3 pages) writing sample demonstrating the applicant’s policy analysis and written communication skills.
- A list of 2 references (including name, title, affiliation, email address, and phone number).
Should you have any inquiries about the position, please email Han Chen (hchen@csis.org).
Job Summary
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decisionmakers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of over 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe. The CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies is a leading source of insight and analysis on China’s evolving political system, domestic agenda, and foreign policy. Our work focuses on leadership politics, policymaking and decision-making processes, party-state governance, political discourse and the role of ideology, sources of political stability and risk, and how these dynamics affect the broader world. The Program Coordinator and Research Assistant (PCRA) or Program Manager and Research Associate (PMRA) will provide administrative and research support to senior staff of the Freeman Chair in China Studies. The PCRA or PMRA will play a critical role in supporting the operational and substantive goals of the program. This includes managing day-to-day operations, coordinating events, supporting fundraising and outreach efforts, and contributing to the program’s research agenda. A strong understanding of Chinese domestic politics and/or foreign policy is required for this role. The salary range for a Program Coordinator and Research Assistant (PCRA) is $57,000-$62,000, based on experience. The salary range for a Program Manager and Research Associate (PMRA) is $60,000-$67,000, based on experience.
DEADLINE TO APPLY - MARCH 13, 2026
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:
Program Coordination & Administration
- Manage calendars, correspondence, and travel itineraries for senior program staff.
- Coordinate logistics for meetings, conferences, seminars, and international trips.
- Oversee budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
- Draft contracts and process payments for consultants and associates.
- Support grant applications, donor communications, and reporting requirements.
- Hire and supervise interns, including recruitment and daily task management.
- Update web and social media content and assist with multimedia products.
- Liaise with internal CSIS teams and external partners, including U.S. and international officials.
Research & Analysis
- Conduct research (including Chinese language documents) to support publications and briefings.
- Draft and edit research products including policy briefs, commentaries, reports, and donor communications.
- Monitor developments in relevant policy areas.
- Assist in conceptualizing new project ideas and contribute to grant proposal development.
Outreach & Communications
- Develop and manage the program’s social media presence.
- Liaise with funders, experts, partner organizations, and government officials.
- Maintain and improve databases of stakeholders and contacts.
- Draft concept papers and proposals for fundraising and partnerships.
Knowledge, Education, And Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, or a related field required. For PMRA, masters degree preferred.
- For PCRA, 1-2 years of relevant professional experience. For PMRA, more than two years of relevant experience.
- Strong understanding of Chinese domestic politics and/or Chinese foreign policy.
- Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese. The successful candidate should be able to research and analyze Chinese language documents, and manage email correspondence in Chinese regarding program events. Facility with additional regional languages is preferred.
- Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills.
- Facility with data analysis and quantitative research methods preferred.
- Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and event planning preferred.
- Experience with professional use of social media preferred.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Physical Requirements And Work Conditions
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Opportunity Employer.
How To Apply
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please apply at https://careers.csis.org/ by no later than March 13, 2026. All applicants must submit the following in one PDF document:
- Resume/CV (one page).
- Cover letter.
- A short (no more than 3 pages) writing sample demonstrating the applicant’s policy analysis and written communication skills.
- A list of 2 references (including name, title, affiliation, email address, and phone number).
Should you have any inquiries about the position, please email Han Chen (hchen@csis.org).
Program Associate Job Roles in Washington DC
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Search Program Associate Jobs in Washington DCProgram Associate Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for program associates in Washington DC?
International organizations and policy-focused nonprofits are among the most active sponsors for program associates in DC. Employers such as the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund, Inter-American Development Bank, Pew Research Center, and Brookings Institution have histories of sponsoring H-1B visa and G-4 visas. Large federal contractors including Chemonics International and DAI Global also sponsor program associates working on international development projects.
Which visa types are most common for program associate roles in Washington DC?
H-1B is the most common employer-sponsored visa for program associates whose roles qualify as specialty occupations, typically requiring a relevant bachelor's degree or higher. Employees of international organizations like the World Bank or IMF may instead hold G-4 visas, which are specific to international organization staff. J-1 visa exchange visitor visas also appear in DC's policy and research sector, often for fellows and program staff at think tanks.
Which cities in Washington DC have the most program associate sponsorship jobs?
Washington DC is a city-state, so sponsorship activity is concentrated within the District itself rather than spread across multiple cities. The highest density of program associate roles is found in neighborhoods close to Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, and Capitol Hill, where international organizations, advocacy groups, and policy institutions are headquartered. Some employers in nearby Arlington and Bethesda also hire program associates and sponsor visas, though those positions fall under Virginia and Maryland respectively.
How to find program associate visa sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and filters program associate roles in Washington DC by confirmed visa sponsorship. Rather than sorting through thousands of listings to identify which employers will sponsor, you can browse DC-specific program associate postings on Migrate Mate where sponsorship eligibility is already a filter. This saves significant time, particularly if you're on OPT or another time-sensitive status and need to identify qualifying employers quickly.
Are there state-specific considerations for program associates seeking visa sponsorship in Washington DC?
DC's program associate market is heavily shaped by its concentration of international organizations, federal contractors, and policy nonprofits, each with different sponsorship structures. International organizations such as the World Bank and IMF operate under diplomatic frameworks and may sponsor G-4 rather than H-1B visas, which carries distinct conditions around work authorization for dependents. Employers subject to federal contracting rules may also have additional compliance requirements that affect how and when they initiate sponsorship for program staff.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored program associate jobs in Washington DC?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.