Citizen Engagement Fellow

ORGANIZATION

Issue One is a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization that unites Republicans, Democrats, and independents to win game-changing federal reforms to fix our broken political system and create an inclusive democracy that works for everyone. Issue One educates the public and Congress to pass legislation to increase transparency, strengthen government ethics and accountability, reduce the influence of big money in politics, protect the freedom to vote, and strengthen U.S. elections.

POSITION

The Citizen Engagement Fellowship is a six-month long, part-time fellowship designed for accomplished professionals in the global democracy and governance community who seek to bring their international experience to bear on strengthening democracy here in the United States. Created at a moment of significant transition in the international democracy space—with an abundance of practitioners seeking domestic opportunities—the program provides a structured pathway for experienced leaders to pivot into the U.S. democracy reform ecosystem.

This six-month fellowship invites 2–3 seasoned democracy practitioners, each with at least 10 years of experience in international democratic development, civil society strengthening, election integrity, governance, or related fields. Fellows will dedicate up to 20 hours per month to independent and collaborative work with Issue One, serving as thought partners, strategic advisors, and contributors across the organization’s programmatic and operational priorities.

Situated within Issue One’s network of bipartisan reform advocates, policy strategists, and democracy experts, the Democracy Fellows Program provides a collegial environment and an intellectually rich setting for cross-national learning, professional development, and democratic innovation. Fellows engage deeply with Issue One’s mission, contribute specialized expertise, and translate lessons learned abroad into insights that strengthen democratic practice in the American context.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Producing research, analysis, or strategic memos that frame U.S. democracy reform within a global comparative context. 

Advising Issue One teams on best practices drawn from international democracy development

Supporting targeted projects, convenings, or initiatives related to elections, civic engagement, accountability, or public trust

Participating in knowledge-sharing sessions, internal briefings, or cross-team discussions

Developing a written or conceptual product that aligns with the fellow’s area of focus

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of approximately 10 years of experience in the international democracy, governance, or civil society sector 

Demonstrated expertise relevant to democracy strengthening. 

Strong writing, analysis, and conceptual framing abilities

Ability to translate international experience for domestic audiences

Collaborative mindset with the ability to work independently

Strong judgment and an eagerness to contribute strategic insights

LOCATION

Fellows will work remotely and may have periodic meetings in our Washington, DC office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If fully remote, they must reside in a state where Issue One is formally established. These states include California, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Utah, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Remote opportunities outside of these states will not be available.

We anticipate this being a roughly 6-month fellowship, starting in February 2026.

COMPENSATION

This fellow will be expected to work 20 hours per month and be compensated at $500 per month. 

Fellow Selection Timeline

January 20: Position is posted, and resumes are collected 

January 30-: Resumes are screened and interviews are scheduled.

February 2-6: Preferred candidate selected and fellowship offered  

Special Note: While Issue One will do its best to follow the above timeline, there are instances where the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organization will do its best to update all selected candidates on any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after Jan. 30, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do at Issue One. We celebrate each individual's unique perspectives and experiences with our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to voluntarily complete our self-identification questionnaire when submitting their resume. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and have no impact on your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities for success.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can apply by clicking here. Please include how you heard about the position.

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. The Company is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.