Assistant Director of National Security & Foreign Affairs, Baker School – UTK

Position description

The Howard H. Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks applications for a full-time Assistant Director at the Center for National Security & Foreign Affairs (NSFA) at the Baker School.  We seek candidates with national security and/or foreign affairs expertise who can help lead the Center’s efforts to deliver high quality student experience through undergraduate, graduate, and executive education, both in person and online. The successful candidate will also contribute to the Center’s policy engagement work through research and public engagement activities.

The Baker School offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) with concentrations in national security and nuclear policy, among other focus areas.  

This position will play a central role in shaping and expanding the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs’ (NSFA) impact on national security, foreign policy, and public engagement. Working closely with the Director, the Assistant Director will help build a nationally recognized hub for scholarship, student development, and public policy engagement in national security and foreign affairs. This position is responsible for advancing the Center’s vision to become a dynamic platform for connecting students, faculty, policymakers, and the public through rigorous research, strategic partnerships, and experiential learning. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of the Center’s policy engagement through the execution of research projects, conferences, policy dialogues, and public events that reflect the Center’s commitment to addressing today’s most pressing national security and foreign policy challenges. The candidate will work with NSFA-affiliated faculty and student research assistants on research projects, policy briefs, and reports related to national security and foreign affairs. The candidate will also help build the Center’s presence as a trusted, nonpartisan contributor to state, national, and international policy conversations. This position will work closely with the NSFA Director and the Baker School’s Student Success team to engage and mentor students interested in careers in state and federal government, the private sector, thinktanks, and other organizations in the fields of national security, foreign policy, nuclear policy, and related fields. This includes developing and delivering training, supporting professional development experiences such as internships, fellowships, study abroad opportunities (including the Baker School’s program in Japan), Washington, D.C. trips, guest speaker events, and wargaming simulations. The position will help expand and deepen these opportunities to build a robust professional pathway for students entering the field. This is a forward-facing role for a strategic builder, ideally suited for someone

committed to educating future public servants, producing policy-relevant research, and strengthening the bridge between academia and the national policymaking community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

POLICY ENGAGEMENT (50%)

• Assists in developing and implementing strategic planning objectives, initiatives, and activities for the center.
• Identifies opportunities for externally funded research from foundations, government agencies, and/or corporate entities.
• Participates in the development and submission of proposals.
• Proposes and produces research-based policy briefs and reports about topics relevant to NSFA expertise. 
• Participates in the planning and execution of funded and unfunded research projects.
• Supervises student research assistants while providing direction and mentorship.
• Participates in periodic meetings with university partners, external partners, and other stakeholders to discuss joint issues and initiatives.
• Participates in periodic management meetings to relay information about center updates and issues.
• Clearly and effectively communicates research findings through presentations to funders, professional audiences, and/or policymakers and other audiences.
• Interacts and networks within the Baker School, with NSFA affiliates and fellows, and across campus to seek potential collaborators and develop potential research projects.

STUDENT MENTORSHIP & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (50%)

• Develops and delivers presentations at high schools and regional colleges about national security, foreign affairs, and/or nuclear policy to grow interest in the undergraduate and graduate programs at the Baker School.
• Develop and deliver training for students and outside stakeholders for policy education and professional development. 
• Collaborates with the NSFA Director and the school’s office of Student Success to develop and implement national security and foreign affairs-related experiences for students, both within and outside the classroom, including student travel.
• Identify, plan, and organize support for professional development experiences such as internships, fellowships, study abroad opportunities (including the Baker School’s program in Japan), Washington, D.C. trips, guest speaker events, and crisis or wargaming simulations.
• Advises students on academic and career matters.
• Maintains regular office hours for student interaction.

Qualifications

Education:

Candidates must hold a master’s degree in political science, public policy, international relations, defense or security studies, or a related field. 

Experience: 

• Experience in government, public policy, national security, international security, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, teaching or research in public policy / foreign policy schools, or related career areas.
• Experience in working on research related to national security, foreign affairs, and related topics. 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

• Knowledge of applicable policy processes and actors in national security and foreign affairs. 
• Ability to work independently and in collaborative multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to develop, plan, and implement short- and long-range goals.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Commitment to teaching excellence and student success.
• Strong knowledge of field concepts, practices, procedures, and professional standards in national security and foreign affairs.
• Strong research design and analytical skills.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• A PhD in political science, public policy, international relations, defense/security studies, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: A PhD in political science, public policy, international relations, defense/security studies, or a related field
• Experience: Experience in higher education teaching. Strong publication record in relevant field

Application instructions

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