Jobs and Internships

Jobs

Vacancy Announcement
For open positions in the Afghan civil service (open to Afghan nationals residing in-country or abroad), please see the Afghan Civil Service Commission.




The Internship Program at the Embassy of Afghanistan is designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students considering a career in a diplomatic or Afghanistan-related field with hands-on experience in a fully operational embassy. Interns obtain guidance, experience, and exposure to the Washington policy and diplomatic community while helping out with the everyday operations of the Embassy. Although there is no financial compensation for interns, the Embassy does allow interns invaluable experience to attend relevant area events and interface with Embassy event attendees who include those from all levels and branches of government, leading think tanks, diplomatic institutions, and many others.
Internships are available throughout the year to undergraduates who have completed at least one year of school and could be completed for credit. Positions are available on a full or part-time basis with a minimum of 20 hours a week.

The dates of internships correspond to the fall (September-December), spring (January-May), and summer (May-August) academic semesters.
The deadlines for applications are:

  • Spring internship: November 9
  • Summer internship: March 5
  • Fall internship: July 13

Interested applicants from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply; however, preference will be given to those applicants with superior writing, organization, word-processing, and Dari/Pashto language skills.

To apply for an internship, please complete the following and email it to the address below:

  • Intern Application
  • Cover Letter
  • Résumé
  • College Transcript (official or unofficial)
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Responses to the following essay questions:
    • (500 words or less) Briefly relate your interest in interning at the Embassy of Afghanistan to you future career goals
    • (250 words or less) Discuss an issue of personal, national or international concern and its importance to you

Please send your application materials in PDF format to the Internship Coordinator. Any questions about the internship or application process should also be referred to this email address. Due to the volume of applications we receive, please do not call to inquire about the status of your application.

The Embassy of Afghanistan encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or ethnic background.

Internship positions are available in the following sections:

  • Political/Legislative
  • Economic Affairs
  • Social Affairs
  • Communications/Events
  • Cultural Attaché



Political/Legislative Affairs

The Political and Legislative Departments advocate for the Government of Afghanistan’s priority policy issues and keep Afghanistan in the political spotlight through effective public diplomacy. The Departments deal with various political and security institutions of the U.S. Administration and Congress, while maintaining relations with the Washington-based diplomatic community, key think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, and multilateral institutions. The Political/Legislative Intern is responsible for providing professional support in monitoring, researching, writing reports and correspondence for the Ambassador and staff of the Political/Legislative Departments.

General Duties and Responsibilities

  • Monitor developments related to Afghanistan with respect to congressional, political, security and development affairs on a regular basis and provide analytical reports to intern’s immediate supervisor, the Ambassador and embassy staff
  • Attend Congressional hearings and events about political developments in Afghanistan on behalf of the embassy and draft reports
  • Draft memoranda at the Ambassador’s request regarding issues related to Afghanistan
  • Research and compile information on Afghanistan’s political developments, the Afghan Parliament, the situation and process of security sector reform in Afghanistan, Government Of Afghanistan and international community’s initiatives
  • Participate in meetings related to Congressional relations, political and security issues
  • Draft letters intended for Congressional staffers and representatives on a variety of issues
  • Research and compile information to convey Afghanistan’s needs to Congress
  • Develop and maintain a database of Congressional representatives, staffers, and related contacts
  • Summarize research reports on Afghanistan
  • Complete other assignments as requested by the Embassy’s Political and Legislative Departments

Knowledge and Skills

  • Superior spoken and written communications skills in English; spoken Dari and/or Pashto preferred but not required
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced dynamic environment to meet deadlines
  • Student pursuing B.A. or higher level degree in International Relations, Political Science, Law, Government or related field
  • Knowledge of Afghanistan and domestic U.S. politics
  • Relevant work experience in political affairs of Capitol Hill preferred
  • Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Internet



Economic Affairs

  • The Economic Section of the Embassy works to support and promote Afghanistan's economic ties with the United States. The Economic Affairs intern supports diplomats working in the economic section as well as the commercial attache.
    General Duties and Responsibilities
    • Monitor developments related to Afghanistan with respect to economics, trade, financial and development affairs on a regular basis and provide analytical reports to the intern’s immediate supervisor;
    • Attend events related to Afghanistan’s economic affairs and draft reports as requested;
    • Write weekly reports in English (and Dari/Pashto);
    • Research and compile information on Afghanistan’s economic developments, the Afghan Parliament, the situation and process of financial sector reform in Afghanistan, Government Of Afghanistan and international community’s initiatives;
    • Participate in meetings related to economic, trade and financial issues;
    • Draft letters intended for different dimensions both to US and Afghan government on variety of issues;
    • Research and compile information to convey Afghanistan’s needs to financial institutions (IMF, USAID, WB, DoS, DoC, DoT and etc);
    • Develop and maintain a database of economic counterparts, and related contacts;
    • Summarize research reports on Afghanistan;
    • Work to provide data for the economic section of the website;
    • Complete other assignments as requested by the Embassy’s Economic Department;
    • Writing analytical and policy papers on economic situation of Afghanistan and USA.
    Knowledge and Skills
    • Superior spoken and written communications skills in English; spoken Dari and/or Pashto preferred,
    • Ability to work in a fast-paced dynamic environment to meet deadlines
    • Student pursuing B.A. or higher level degree in Economic Affairs, Financial Accounting, International Relations, Commerce or related field,
    • Knowledge of Afghanistan and domestic U.S. economic system and policy
    • Relevant work experience in economic affairs in IMF, WB, DoC, USAID, DoT, financial institutions
    • Excellent computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Internet.


    Communications/Events

    The Communications/Events Intern supports the Senior Media and Public Affairs Officer in all of her administrative responsibilities. Furthermore, the intern assists the Media and Public Affairs Officer in logistical coordination, research, monitoring the U.S. national media for coverage relating to Afghanistan, and writing content for the Embassy newsletter and website. The intern also maintains the Department’s contact information databases both for the media and the public, while ensuring that the newsletter is widely distributed. In addition to assisting in the Communications section, the intern will support the Events manager in planning, logistical preparation, and execution of all Embassy events. Further responsibilities will be tailored to the individual interests of the intern. Other duties include:

    General Duties and Responsibilities

    • Draft media monitoring reports on coverage of Afghanistan in top-tier U.S. media outlets
    • Assist in drafting press statements of the Embassy and coordinating interview requests for the Ambassador, President and Cabinet Ministers with Kabul and U.S. counterparts
    • Represent the Department at the embassy events to assist and build relations with the reporters, as well as supervising logistics for press briefings and other Embassy events
    • Attend outside events and write briefs for internal use and external use
    • Assist in compiling information and drafting copy for The Embassy of Afghanistan newsletter
    • Confirming event registrations
    • Assisting in the distribution of announcements and invitations
    • Assisting in coordinating events

    Knowledge and Skills

    • Excellent writing skills
    • Strong communication skills
    • Confident to interact with high level members of the media, government, think tanks, and nongovernmental organizations
    • Ability to work in a fast-paced dynamic environment and meet deadlines
    • Ability to prioritize a number of different projects and manage time effectively
    • Knowledge of Drupal-based systems, InDesign, and social media
    • Communications majors strongly preferred



    Social Affairs

    The Social Affairs intern supports the Social Affairs Department in all its administrative responsibilities. The department focuses on all social aspects of Afghanistan with a particular emphasis on women’s affairs. You will conduct research and attend events related to civil society and social affairs in Afghanistan. Additionally, you will ensure that the Department Head is kept up to date with any policy decisions, laws and organizations that are pertinent to its mission.

    General Duties and Responsibilities:

    • Research and compile information on Afghanistan’s issues related to social affairs
    • Attend meetings and events related to the topic of your Department
    • Create policy briefings on a weekly basis
    • Write reports on the event/meeting
    • Create a portfolio on the briefings, reports and news that was gathered

    Knowledge and Skills:

    • Excellent oral and written communication skills
    • Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
    • Ability to accomplish multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines
    • Excellent open source research, analytical and organizational skills
    • Outgoing, personable, and articulate
    • Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications



    Cultural Attaché

    The Cultural Attaché of Afghanistan actively promotes the cultural traits that make Afghanistan such a unique place. From art to music to tourism, the multifaceted field requires someone with a passion for culture and an enthusiastic persona that can clearly explain to the Washington, D.C. area and beyond all of these fascinating components.

    General Duties and Responsibilities

    • Design and give presentations relating to Afghanistan’s culture
    • Conduct research and compile reports at the request of the Attaché
    • Attend and facilitate events about Afghanistan’s culture
    • Work with outside organizations to help with events relating to Afghanistan’s culture
    • Administrative support for the Cultural Attaché Office with given tasks and responsibilities

    Knowledge and Skills

    • Educational background should be relevant or close to cultural, art, tourism, youth, sports and education fields
    • Excellent communication skills
    • Familiar with Microsoft Office applications and designing PowerPoint presentations
    • Ability to perform and accomplish assignments based on the given time frame
    • Honest, punctual, and hard worker