RESEARCHER/WRITER/EDITOR - WESTERN HEMISPHERE DRUG POLICY COMMISSION

Overview

The Western Hemisphere Drug Policy Commission (WHDPC) is a bipartisan, independent entity created by Congress to evaluate US counternarcotics policies in Latin America and the Caribbean and provide concrete, actionable recommendations for improvement.

Our legislation instructs us to examine a variety of issues – from interdiction to money laundering, eradication to alternative development, police reform to violence prevention. Our goal is to find better ways to reduce illicit drug supply while also addressing the damage and violence associated with drug trafficking and abuse. We must identify which programs work and which don’t, which should be strengthened and sustained, and which should be modified or eliminated.

We are looking for an experienced researcher/writer/editor to help our small team prepare the comprehensive review that we must present to Congress and the White House by the end of 2020.

The position will end when the Commission wraps up operations in early 2021, but it offers a unique opportunity for an up-and-coming scholar, a veteran practitioner, or a seasoned journalist to do in-depth research into complex, controversial policies that affect lives and livelihoods throughout the United States and Latin America.

Responsibilities

? Qualitative and quantitative research into US counternarcotics policy, using a variety of sources including agency and program budgets, indicators of performance and effectiveness, program evaluations, academic literature, and media reports;
? Drafting background briefing papers, memos, and analysis;
? Preparing charts, tables, and simple graphics;
? Editing and fact-checking staff and consultant policy papers or reports;
? Helping WHDPC staff and consultants with general research and administrative tasks;
? Keeping track of news developments and relevant research.

Qualifications

? Demonstrated interest in counternarcotics policy, development programs, or security sector reform, especially in Latin America;
? Fluency in Spanish;
? Exceptional research, writing, and editing skills;
? Quantitative expertise, including professional or academic work in economics or statistics;
? Ability to work under pressure and on deadline.

How to apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, two references, and two writing samples (totaling no more than 20 pages) to edward.gracia@whdpc.gov. We will also ask top candidates to take a short editing test. We will review applications until the job is filled, which we hope to do quickly.

Job Email id: Edward.Gracia(at)WHDPC.gov