1

Political Risk Internship Jobs in Ashburn, VA (NOW HIRING)

... citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave ... The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous ...

Strategic Relations Intern

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$17 - $22.75/hr

S. elected officials, political appointees, and senior military officials, to enhance engagement ... The internship will provide invaluable career mentorship opportunities as interns work alongside ...

Kharon is a highly disruptive and incredibly innovative organization that navigates risk at the ... We are opening up an internship opportunity for college students with an interest or emphasis in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Political Risk Internship information

See Ashburn, VA salary details

$9

$17

$24

How much do political risk internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for political risk internship in Ashburn, VA is $17.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.76 and $19.66 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a political risk internship?

A Political Risk Internship is a temporary position, often held by students or recent graduates, where individuals assist organizations in analyzing and understanding how political events and trends could impact business operations, investments, or global markets. Interns typically support research, monitor current events, and help assess geopolitical developments to identify risks and opportunities. These internships are commonly found in consulting firms, multinational corporations, government agencies, and think tanks. The experience provides valuable insights into international affairs, risk assessment, and strategic decision-making.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a political risk intern expect during their internship?

As a Political Risk Intern, you can expect to support analysts and consultants by conducting research on geopolitical developments, monitoring global news, and preparing briefings or reports for clients. Interns often assist in data collection, risk assessment, and contribute to team meetings where current events are discussed. You may also help with the preparation of client presentations or participate in brainstorming sessions on how emerging risks could impact businesses. The role offers valuable exposure to real-world political analysis and typically involves working closely with experienced professionals in a collaborative environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a political risk intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Political Risk Intern, you need strong analytical skills, research abilities, and a background in international relations or political science, often supported by relevant coursework or a related degree. Familiarity with data analysis tools, geopolitical databases, and proficiency in Microsoft Office or similar systems is typically required. Excellent written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and curiosity about global affairs are standout soft skills. These competencies are vital for producing accurate risk assessments and actionable insights in a fast-evolving global environment.

What is the difference between Political Risk Internship vs Political Risk Analyst?

AspectPolitical Risk InternshipPolitical Risk Analyst
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate, some relevant courseworkBachelor's or master's degree in political science, international relations, or related field
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in consulting firms, banks, or government agenciesFull-time professional role, conducting research and analysis
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by firms assessing political stability for clientsEmployed by financial institutions, consulting firms, or government agencies

In summary, a Political Risk Internship is an entry-level, temporary position for students or recent graduates gaining experience, while a Political Risk Analyst is a full-time professional responsible for in-depth analysis and decision-making in the field of political risk assessment.

Infographic showing various Political Risk Internship job openings in Ashburn, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,808 per year, or $17.7 per hour.

Social Impact & Reputational Risk Analyst

National Journal

Washington, DC โ€ข Hybrid

$60K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Gravity Research is hiring aย Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analyst.
ย 
Gravity Research, born of National Journal, is a premier custom research and insights organization supporting corporate, association, and nonprofit clients. Our mission is to empower organizations to anticipate risk, spot opportunities, and rationalize reputational concerns against a backdrop of evolving public pressures.ย 
ย 
What is Gravity Research's Societal and Reputational Intelligence Service?
Gravity Research's newest product is a research service that helps Fortune 500 companies make informed decisions about when and how to engage on societal issues, such as racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, climate, and human rights. We support clients by monitoring the current conversation around these issues, benchmarking our clients' actions compared to their peers, and analyzing the advantages and risks of engaging on specific issues.
ย 
We are looking for curious and innovative researchers and consultants interested in helping corporations smartly navigate society's most important and challenging issues.
ย 
The Role:
Social Impact and Reputational Risk Analysts are responsible for contributing to all aspects of SRI client engagements. Analysts on the social issues benchmarking team use our media monitoring tools and a range of qualitative research methods to identify and track trending issues, produce custom analysis for our clients, and develop bespoke insights and recommendations. Analysts work directly with senior leaders at Gravity Research and senior public affairs and C-suite executives at client companies.
ย 
Qualifications of the Ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate will have strong familiarity with the range of contentious societal issues currently at play, a solid understanding of the media and political environment, and excellent qualitative research and analysis skills. The candidate will have the ability to execute against tight deadlines to develop professional and intellectually sound deliverables for clients, both independently and in close collaboration with team members.
Your responsibilities will include:
  • Managing research for 4-6 client accounts and being responsible for the timely delivery of all project work.
  • Collaborating with team members to develop research methodologies and approaches to answer client questions.
  • Leading associates and interns who are supporting the client research process.
  • Developing smart, nuanced analysis on how societal issues may impact corporations, their workforces, and their consumers, and synthesizing findings into strategic recommendations for clients.
  • Drafting deliverables, including PowerPoint presentations, memos, and other formats, to communicate findings and recommendations to clients.
  • Presenting findings and interacting with clients to better understand their needs, serving as a trusted expert and advisor on challenging societal issues.
  • Regularly consuming news about a range of societal issues and their impact on the business community to incorporate current trends into research and analysis.
  • Contributing to product development by crafting new and innovative approaches to producing the analytic work, optimizing operations, and perfecting the research product.
  • To perform this job successfully, each essential competency and responsibility must be performed satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform essential functions. Other duties may be assigned to meet organizational goals.
Specific qualifications include:
  • A highly analytic, natural problem solver.
  • The ability to highlight key insights within a complex set of data, synthesize large amounts of information, and then clearly explain these insights to clients.
  • A skilled project manager, able to independently manage competing priorities and adhere to timelines.
  • A strong writer able to clearly frame issues for a variety of audiences; some experience with PowerPoint or other visual presentation formats highly preferred.
  • An individual with 1-3 years of experience in at least one of the following domains: strategy consulting, policy analysis, risk analysis, Capitol Hill or executive agency experience, or political science research.
  • Earned Bachelor's degree required
  • Entrepreneurial spirit; Track record of building new initiatives from conception to execution.
  • Creative thinking and resourcefulness in problem-solving.
  • Prodigious work ethic and spirit of generosity.
$60,000 - $65,000 a year
Start Date:ย Available immediately
ย 
Application Deadline: August 21, 2026
ย 
Employment Type: Full-time
ย 
Location: This job is based in Washington, DC. Gravity Research operates on a hybrid schedule, with employees required to be in the office every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. During the month of August 2026, Gravity Research teams will be fully remote.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ย 
About Us
Across Gravity Research, generally, the firm looks for three "pillar gifts" in you, and everyone else.ย  In all of us, these are more aspirational than actual, but they are central in our intentions -
ย 
Force of Ideas:ย At the center of Gravity Research's work are the ideas within our work. We believe that ideas-the good and not-have consequences. Our ultimate objective is to bring rigor, insight, and intellectual honesty to the goal of separating the bad from the good, and giving voice, argument, and flight to maintaining the latter.
ย 
Spirit of Generosity:ย ย Gravity Research seeks in its ranks a spirit of generosity: a natural disposition in each colleague toward service and selfless conduct. Our writing should be cut from the same cloth-critical on the merits, but informed by charity and forbearance in measuring motive and personal character.
ย 
Radical Responsibility:ย We give our people a lot of responsibility early on, and our top performers embrace it. We believe in holding ourselves and our colleagues accountable, taking ownership over big things, striving for excellence, and celebrating success.
ย 
Gravity Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate against our applicants because of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
apply for this job