Background
In November 2010, the Bipartisan Policy Center launched the Governance Project—a bipartisan initiative that analyzes and advocates for improvements to the country’s democratic system and institutions. The Governance Project draws on the expertise of some of the nation’s top government, business, civic, military and academic leaders from across the political spectrum to achieve bipartisan solutions that improve the functionality of our political system.
The Governance Project focuses on several critical areas: improving the voter experience and election administration, strengthening government oversight capacities, measuring the effectiveness of our congressional rules and procedures, reforming the congressional redistricting and reapportionment processes, and addressing the overall health of the American political system. The Governance Project also has current work on electoral demographics and political parties. Under the leadership of Matt Weil and John Richter, the project highlights potential policy changes that would promote a more efficient and effective government and issues recommendations with the aim of improving the national debate.
In a new era of divided government, the Governance Project expects to find new, discrete avenues of potential agreement between the parties on institutional issues and remains committed to the idea that policy and process solutions will continue to yield positive results.
Responsibilities
This internship will involve research into numerous areas: state and federal election laws, congressional and executive branch oversight, political parties, election administration, redistricting, improving civility within our political system, and reforms that can be implemented to improve accountability and constructive policy change within Congress and the executive branch, among other topic areas. Interns will be tasked with taking notes and writing occasional blog posts about our events and policy issues for the organization’s website. Interns may also perform occasional data entry and assist in planning and coordinating events related to the Governance Project.
Qualifications
SUMMER PROGRAM
BPC has a robust summer program. Interns work full time, and will receive a $4,500 stipend for ten weeks of work. Interns must be rising juniors or above. Applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program. Interns will provide functional support, conduct research, and work directly with project analysts and staff in various capacities. *Please note that our Summer internship will be completely virtual*
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until a qualified candidate has been identified. Please do not send multiple submissions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Due to the number of applications received, we are unable to contact those who have not been selected for an internship. No phone calls, please. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply but must have a valid work permit or visa verifying eligibility to work in the United States. We do not offer visa sponsorship.
Required materials (please submit as one PDF File):
• Cover Letter – please indicate your two areas of interest from BPC’s project and functional areas listed above.
• Resume.
• Relevant writing sample (3-5 pages).
• College or university transcript (unofficial is acceptable).
• Phone and email contact information for two professional references, including a professor or other individual familiar with your work.
• Brief response to our Diversity statement on what it means to you (5-8 sentences).
APPLICATION DEADLINE
• Summer internships: April 1st
BPC Diversity Statement
The Bipartisan Policy Center defines diversity as the range of human qualities that make us unique as individuals, including—but not limited to—age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression, geographic location, nationality, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.
To celebrate diversity and ensure equity and inclusivity, BPC is committed to:
• Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce with insights and solutions for our increasingly divided society.
• Creating a workplace culture where all employees feel valued and their perspectives are heard.
• Developing policy solutions and undertaking research that reflect a diversity of thought and experience.
These commitments will help us to fulfill our mission and foster bipartisanship more effectively.