KAP 2026-2027 - Center Associate - O’Brien Notre Dame International Security Center

The Koch Associate Program (KAP) is a career accelerator for early to mid-career professionals with a drive to tackle our country’s most pressing challenges in more effective, principled ways. KAP equips associates with the tools, mindsets, and community to succeed as social entrepreneurs—individuals excited to find new and better ways to break barriers and eliminate injustice. Associates spend one day each week engaging in experiential learning with Stand Together Fellowships and work at one of our many partner organizations the rest of the week. Our curriculum is designed to supercharge your development and equip you for long-term success as you seek to have an impact on the problems that prevent people from realizing their potential.

Since 2008, the O’Brien Notre Dame International Security Center (ONDISC) has provided a forum for national security scholars at the University of Notre Dame and elsewhere to come together to explore the most pressing issues in national security policy.Through research, teaching, and public affairs programming, ONDISC aims to connect policymakers and the public with the very best scholarship in the academy on issues of international security, broadly defined.

Job Summary

The Associate serves as a coordinator for ONDISC and Hans J Morgenthau Fellowship programs, managing the intersection of communications, student engagement, and event logistics. This role is responsible for maintaining the digital presence of the programs, liaising with external creative partners, and providing comprehensive administrative support for seminars, staff rides, and experiential learning trips. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented communicator capable of managing multiple projects while fostering relationships between students, faculty, and guest speakers.

Primary Responsibilities

Communications & Digital Brand Management (40%)

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• Agency Liaison: Act as the primary point of contact for the external media team; coordinate and approve social media content, newsletters, website event postings, and the Annual Report.

• Content Creation: Draft recap articles and post-trip summaries (DC Discernment, USNA Staff Rides, etc.) for the program website.

• Digital Outreach: Manage ONDISC Google Groups and Emma listservs; execute the distribution of all electronic mass communications.

• Asset Management: Maintain the program’s photo depository via SharePoint and Team Drive; curate historical and recent "Highlight Slideshows" for various events.

Student Coordination & Program Support (30%)

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• Pre-Seminar Interviews (PSI): Recruit and pair students with guest speakers; manage the distribution of "read-ahead" materials and ensure all interview questions are vetted and approved by speakers.

• Intake & Onboarding: Manage the administrative entry of new Fellows and Minors, including website bio updates and listserv integration.

Event & Operational Logistics (30%)

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• Seminar Support: Provide on-site coordination for HJM trips and seminars and ONDISC special events, including social media coverage.

• Emerging Scholars: Support the program through reservation management, drafting promotional material (ie event program), and on-site logistical help.

• Financial Administration: Process reimbursements for Fellows (South Bend and Staff Rides) and coordinate speaker honorariums for virtual seminars.

• Information Management: Serve as the lead for website maintenance and folder organization within Box and Google Team Drive.

• Travel & Staff Rides: Assist in the collection of readings and provide logistical "boots on the ground" support for domestic and international trips

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Studies, Communication, or a related field.

• Familiarly with digital tools including Google Workspace, Box, and SharePoint.

• Experience with email marketing platforms (e.g., Emma) and website content management systems (CMS).

• Exceptional written communication skills with the ability to write for various platforms (web, social, and formal reports).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a university or academic institute setting.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex logistics involving students and high-profile guest speakers.

• A background in photography or basic graphic design to assist with asset management

Working Conditions

• Occasional evening or weekend work required for event support.

• Potential for domestic and international travel to support experiential learning trips and staff rides.

About Stand Together Fellowships
Learn more about Stand Together Fellowships.

Stand Together Fellowships believes that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. Our admissions office treats all program participants and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of color, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.