Research Analyst, Beijing's Global Media Influence

Position Summary The Research Analyst will join a small, supportive, and dynamic team working to assess the Chinese Communist Party’s evolving information controls at home and abroad. The position will play a key role in research related to the PRC’s media influence in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The position will contribute significantly to the implementation of a new methodology and set of country case studies assessing the PRC’s media footprint and local resilience in countries around the world, taking primary responsibility over analysis and writing of up to 15 country case studies. Responsibilities will range from monitoring, analyzing, and writing about key developments related to China’s political, media, and digital impact in select countries, supporting identification of global trends, and liaising with a dispersed network of local analysts and advisers to conduct research and disseminate findings. This is a full-time position for a fixed one-year term based in New York City or Washington DC, reporting to the Research Director for China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Key Responsibilities

• Perform substantial research and writing tasks related to the Beijing’s global media and technological influence, as well as fact-checking, editing, rewriting, and proofreading of materials authored by non-native English speakers
• Act as a primary point of contact with external consultants based around the world, assisting local analysts with research and dissemination tasks
• Strengthen thematic expertise within Freedom House and on the China research team, contribute analysis regarding region and countries of expertise to the new special report, and provide substantive input at internal and external meetings
• Assist team members in developing recommendations for policymakers, civil society, media and other stakeholders in the United States and elsewhere regarding how best to respond to the Chinese Communist Party’s global media and technological influence
• Assist team members in designing and facilitating outreach and dissemination activities for Freedom House research products, particularly related to China, to audiences in Latin America, Africa, and/or Asia
• Represent Freedom House research in media interviews, private briefings, and public conferences
• Analyze data and prepare charts, graphics, and other support materials for publication
• Where funding permits, travel internationally to coordinate meetings with local researchers and attend relevant conferences to represent FH research
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• For Research Analyst: Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, human rights, law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, media/journalism, public policy, or related field with a focus on China; plus 3-5 years of directly related experience. Master’s degree preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Outstanding English writing and editing skills and experience drafting concise, eloquent, and media-friendly communications of varying lengths, including policy briefs and opinion pieces
• Demonstrated knowledge and past writings on Chinese party-state foreign influence, including but not limited to the role of the Central Propaganda Department, the United Front Work Department, the Belt and Road Initiative, and/or state-run media
• Knowledge of the legal, political, and technical mechanisms underpinning online and offline censorship, surveillance, and disinformation in China and around the world
• Knowledge of the Chinese political system, Chinese Communist Party bureaucracy, and media landscape
• Grasp of important China-related human rights, media/internet policy, and foreign influence debates in North America, Europe, and elsewhere
• Language skills, particularly Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French, Arabic, or other regionally relevant language
• Comfort working with limited supervision on long-term tasks, finding solutions to problems as they arise, and taking responsibility for your work
• Superb attention to detail and an ability to produce error-free work on tight deadlines
• Command of Microsoft Word to mark up and reformat documents, and Excel to create spreadsheets that are smart and neat
• Emotional intelligence needed to facilitate cooperation between people with divergent views and from different cultural backgrounds
• Strong interpersonal skills for presenting to and communicating with diverse audiences ranging from at-risk activists to senior government officials
• Experience conducting project management and coordinating multiple tasks on a 3-12 month timeline
• A desire to develop into an internally and externally recognized expert on issues related to China and its global influence
• Knowledge of or curiosity to explore additional topics related to democracy, media/internet freedom, and Chinese Communist Party global influence

Additional Information

• Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States.
• Freedom House provides a strong benefits package, including a 403(b) retirement account, commuter benefits, flexible summer hours, floating holidays, high employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision premiums, basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and more.
• Salaries are commensurate with experience and start at $56,000
• The role may require light domestic and international travel to participate in conferences, briefings, and workshops.
• Diversity makes our research stronger. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
• NY staff are currently working remotely, and Freedom House is continuing to evaluate when, and under what circumstances, staff will return to the office. This position may start remote, with mandatory relocation to New York City or Washington DC once circumstances allow.
• This position is contingent on funding approval.

Please send us a resume (1-2 pages) and a cover letter (max. 1 page) describing your qualifications and interest in the position, as well published works relevant to this topic.