Policy Analyst, Western Hemisphere Initiative

Overall Responsibility:

The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is seeking a highly motivated, mission-driven Policy Analyst for the Western Hemisphere Initiative to support the Director, Senior Director, and AFPI senior leadership in developing and advancing America First policies throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and the broader Western Hemisphere. This role is intended for an exceptional researcher, writer, and strategic thinker who is fluent in Spanish and possesses a strong understanding of the region's political, economic, and security landscape. The successful candidate will help shape the Initiative's policy agenda, provide timely analysis on emerging developments, and support the execution of high-impact projects that advance AFPI's mission. The position offers the opportunity to work with senior leadership and engage across a wide range of issues and initiatives. In addition to substantive policy work, the successful candidate should be prepared to contribute wherever needed to support AFPI’s objectives, including events, special projects, and other priorities as they arise.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct research and analysis on political, economic, national security, and foreign policy developments throughout the Western Hemisphere.
• Produce high-quality policy papers, issue briefs, memoranda, backgrounders, legislative analyses, and other research products that advance America First policy solutions for the region.
• Monitor regional developments and prepare timely analysis, rapid-response materials, and internal briefings.
• Draft op-eds, articles, speeches, talking points, testimony, briefing books, public statements, and other materials for publication or use by AFPI leadership.
• Help develop commentary and media products, and other projects designed to communicate the Western Hemisphere Initiative’s policy priorities to larger audiences.
• Support AFPI’s work on issues including border security, illegal migration, transnational criminal organizations, trade and investment, energy security, critical minerals, resilient supply chains, democratic governance, regional defense cooperation, and the influence of China, Russia, Iran, and other extra-hemispheric actors in the Americas.
• Assist in planning and executing events, conferences, roundtables, diplomatic engagements, international delegations, and other events led by the Western Hemisphere Initiative.
• Help build and maintain relationships across the diplomatic, congressional, executive branch, policy, business, and media communities focused on the Western Hemisphere.
• Identify opportunities for AFPI to provide timely policy leadership, commentary, convenings, and engagement on emerging regional developments.
• Collaborate with AFPI’s Communications team to develop and amplify clear, compelling messages based on the Initiative’s research and policy recommendations.
• Collaborate with other AFPI policy centers and initiatives on issues that intersect with Western Hemisphere policy, including national security, homeland security, trade, energy, agriculture, and economic policy.
• Represent AFPI at conferences, briefings, panels, meetings, and other engagements as appropriate.
• Maintain rigorous standards of research, accuracy, judgment, discretion, and professionalism in all work products and external engagements.
• Provide substantive and administrative support to the Director of the Western Hemisphere Initiative and AFPI senior leadership, including assistance with events, travel, meeting preparations, and other special projects.
• Champion AFPI’s servant leadership culture.
• Other duties as assigned.

Consults With:

Research staff, policy experts, executive leadership, communications and development teams, external partners, policymakers, and stakeholders, diplomats, and other external stakeholders. 

Type of Employment: Full-time 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in international relations, political science, economics, public policy, Latin American studies, journalism, or a related field.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience in public policy, government, think tanks, research, journalism, international affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Latin America, the Caribbean, U.S. foreign policy, national security, international economics, or other issues affecting the Western Hemisphere.
• Fluency in Spanish, including professional proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional research, analytical, and editing skills, with the ability to distill complex policy issues into clear, persuasive analysis for both policy and public audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to translate research into practical public policy recommendations and public-facing products.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to take on a broad range of substantive, operational, and strategic responsibilities in support of the director, senior leadership, and the broader mission of the Western Hemisphere Initiative.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
• Strong alignment with AFPI’s core principles: liberty, free enterprise, strong national defense, and a foreign policy rooted in the American interest.
• Personal integrity and a commitment to upholding the public reputation and institutional standards of AFPI.

Salaries for positions will be commensurate with the experience, expertise, and skills of the individual. Please send a cover letter, resume, salary requirement, writing samples, and references. 

AFPI is a non-profit, non-partisan research institute offering competitive salaries and benefits to qualified candidates.