Intern

ISD is a fiercely independent ‘think and do tank’ dedicated to safeguarding individual rights, democratic process, national security and public safety against the rising tide of authoritarianism and extremism globally. Combining research and analysis with government advisory work and the design and delivery of training, education and communications programs, ISD works to implement real-world, evidence-based responses to these challenges.

For 20 years, ISD has been at the forefront of analysing, exposing and combatting all forms of terrorism, extremism, foreign interference, digital manipulation and authoritarianism, helping equip institutions, communities and the private sector with the tools, policies and skills to achieve impact at scale. ISD’s mission is delivered by teams in the UK, the US, Germany, France, Jordan and Canada. Details of ISD’s separate legal entities can be found here.

Why work for ISD? 

ISD is not your ordinary think tank. We turn research into action that changes the world. Our insights don't gather dust on shelves - they power the fight to protect democracy and human rights on the front lines. We're committed to delivering real change, from the grassroots to the highest levels of global institutions. And we're looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to making a difference. Join us and be part of an organisation that's making an impact. 

 
ISD's Guiding Principles of  integrity, collaboration, agility and courage  define who we are as a team and an organisation. These principles reflect our culture and guide the way we work and the choices we make. 

Our benefits 

• Flexible and remote working based on ISD's Time Principles of trust, communication and flexibility. 

• Generous annual leave policies.

• 1 week of additional paid time off over Christmas, outside of your annual leave entitlement. 

• Additional paid time off for development.

• Sick pay and enhanced family friendly policies and compassionate leave. 

• Annual personal development budget. 

• Remote working budget. 

• Employee Assistance Programme and dedicated counsellors for those working with potentially traumatic content. 

• Inclusive wellbeing programme with regular wellbeing initiatives.

Salary

London Living Wage - £14.80 per hour. (Increasing to £15.45 per hour from 1st May 2027.)

Location 

You may work from our UK office in London, or in a hybrid or remote arrangement to suit you. The successful candidate is required to have the right to work in the UK. We cannot provide Visa sponsorship for this role.

Contract type 

5-month fixed term contract.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

ISD is committed to promoting diversity throughout its workforce and aims for its team to be truly representative of all sections of society. We make a concerted effort to ensure our workplace, employment policies and organisational culture creates an inclusive, positive and progressive environment in which all members of our team are treated with dignity and respect. For further information about this policy or our recruitment practices, please email [email protected]. 

 
We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, carers, and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. 

Role Purpose 

ISD is recruiting for an Intern to work closely with the COO, leadership team, communications team and development team to support information flows across and outside of the organisation. They will support with correspondence, CRM management, preparation of communications and fundraising materials, and tracking delivery of tasks using a range of tools. The ideal candidate must possess exceptional multitasking skills, excellent written and verbal communication skills, be highly organised with excellent attention to detail, and be proactive in their approach. This is an exciting opportunity for someone at the beginning of a career in non-profit management, development, communications or operations.

Please find a detailed job description here.

Key responsibilities include:

• Business development support (45%):

• Coordinate and draft correspondence with key external stakeholders, partners and donors

• Proactively engage with and share relevant information across the organisation

• Support the CEO, COO and MD to proactively engage with stakeholders

• Support in the preparation of new business development proposals and pitches

• Assist in research and mapping activities, including proactively monitoring funding opportunities to support ISD’s work.

• Communications support (45%) 

• Support the maintenance of ISD’s CRM system (Monday.com)

• Draft materials that support ISD's communications campaigns

• Maintain the communications calendar with weekly deliverables

• Support the COO in crafting ISD’s research into compelling, accessible high-quality content in a range of formats for a range of audiences

• Publish content across the website and social channels, ensuring timely alignment with policy moments, news cycles, and research release dates

• Plan and draft internal and external communications.

   

• Administrative support (10%)  

• Support follow-through from engagements in an effective and timely fashion

• Provide additional ad hoc support to the development and communications teams

• Support with ad hoc requests from members of the Leadership team as needed.

The ideal candidate 

Interns at ISD play an important role in the organisation and support teams in several ways, from working on large organisation-wide projects, to various ad hoc tasks which will build out your wider experience and exposure.

Please review our  job description for essential criteria, and keep in mind that no candidate will meet every requirement in the advert. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified, but you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by 30th November 2026. ISD reserves the right to conduct interviews and make appointments prior to the stated deadline. Applications may be submitted in English.
 

If you have any further questions about this vacancy or want to speak to a member of our recruitment team, please contact [email protected].