National Security Policy Specialist (Contract)

Protect Democracy seeks a highly motivated policy specialist to support our team that works on the politicization and improper use of the U.S. military, intelligence agencies, and other parts of the federal government meant to protect our national security. This is a temporary, contract role through December 2026. 

We are looking for the policy specialist to start no later than September 1, 2026. Applicants must be able to devote at least 25-35 hours per week.

This is a moment of existential consequence for American democracy. At this juncture, Protect Democracy stands as one of the nation’s leading and most respected nonpartisan organizations dedicated to preventing our democracy from further declining into authoritarianism. 

In this temporary role, you will support Protect Democracy’s work with retired national security leaders in high-stakes litigation and public advocacy; expertise on the domestic use of military force and personnel; and other cutting-edge legal, policy, and communication projects.

What you’ll do:

• Support the National Security team with strengthening coalitions and policy development and analysis;

• Monitor and analyze policy and legal trends and conduct research for internal use;

• Draft internal and external-facing communications and research products;

• Provide administrative and project management support to advocacy, legal, and communications projects.

What we’re looking for:

• At least 3 years experience in policy, organizing, or research relating to U.S. national security;

• Solid understanding of recent and emerging threats of politicization and improper use of U.S. military and other national security agencies;

• Strong team player who can quickly build trusting relationships with internal and external partners;

• High degree of autonomy in driving policy or communications projects from idea to execution;

• An embrace of a cross-ideological and nonpartisan approach to protecting our democracy;

• Available to start contract no later than September 1, 2026.

At Protect Democracy, we believe that a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences strengthen our ability to analyze problems, craft solutions, and drive meaningful change. We welcome applicants with more experience than the minimum listed, and we are looking for candidates with a strong commitment to our mission of preventing our democracy from declining into a more authoritarian form of government.

Terms: 

• Contract rate: $40-60/hour, commensurate with experience, capabilities, and skills.

• Location: We are a remote-first organization; contractors can work from any location in the United States. 

• Expected time: A commitment of approximately 25-35 hours per week through December 15, 2026 is required. Extension beyond this date will be considered based on organizational needs, performance, and other factors. 

• Additional requirements: Applicants must have their own phone and laptop.

How to apply: As part of your application, you will be asked to upload your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample as PDFs. For your writing sample, please share 1-3 pages on a policy topic. This could take the form of a blog post, article, memo, briefing, or any other professional writing. Applications missing any of the required materials will be considered incomplete and not reviewed. The priority application deadline for this role is July 24, 2026. Candidates should be prepared to start by September 1, 2026.