Global
Careers
Program Assistant – Intern Coordinator
+Posting Date: July 2025
Term: Full-Time
Location: Dubai
Reporting to: Program Lead
About the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Middle East (ME)
The ORF ME is an independent think tank based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It aims to address critical policy challenges in the Middle East, India, and beyond through independent research, inclusive dialogue, and collaborative partnerships, fostering a more interconnected world. The organization's key areas of focus include emerging technology, geopolitics, and energy transitions. The aim is to build bridges between developed and developing nations and shape a resilient future driven by shared values and mutual interests.
Role Overview:
ORF Middle East is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Program Assistant to support the coordination and delivery of key organisational initiatives, including the internship program and public events. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career professional interested in public policy, international affairs, or nonprofit program management.
Key Responsibilities:
-
Internship Program Coordination
- Assist in planning, administering, and evaluating the ORF-ME Internship Program.
- Serve as a point of contact for prospective and current interns.
- Maintain application records, coordinate onboarding processes, and manage communications.
- Support intern engagement, deliverables tracking, and periodic performance reviews.
-
Events and Program Support:
- Assist in the planning and execution of public talks, workshops, panel discussions, and high-level meetings.
- Support with event logistics, including venue arrangements, speaker communications, invitations, registrations, and follow-ups.
- Prepare background notes, speaker briefs, and support materials.
- Support post-event documentation, including reports and media summaries.
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Administrative Support:
- Maintain accurate program files and databases.
- Assist in drafting correspondence, scheduling meetings, and preparing internal documentation.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, international relations, political science, communications, or a related field.
- 1–2 years of relevant work or internship experience (preferred, not required).
- Strong organisational and time-management skills with the ability to multitask.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with event tools or content management platforms is a plus.
- Interest in public policy, international affairs, or the Middle East region.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural, fast-paced environment.
Reporting:
The Program Assistant will report to the Program Lead - Geopolitics at ORF Middle East.
Contact
Kindly send your CV and motivation to [email protected] and Eszter Karacsony, Associate Fellow and Program Lead - [email protected]
If your application meets our requirements, we will respond within a week.
Research Fellow / Associate Fellow / Junior Fellow – Climate/ Energy Transitions
+Term: Full-Time
Location(s): Dubai
Posting Date: April 2025
About the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Middle East (ME)
ORF ME is an independent, non-partisan think tank headquartered in Dubai, UAE, that is part of the world renowned Observer Research Foundation (est. 1990 in India) with a focus on critical policy challenges in the Middle East, India, and beyond. We are committed to tackling policy issues through independent research, inclusive dialogue, and collaborative partnerships to foster an interconnected world. ORF ME's key areas cover geopolitics, emerging technologies, and climate and energy transition.
Position Description
As Research Fellow or Associate Fellow, you will be primarily responsible for developing research and analysis on the intersection of climate/energy transition and policy, and its implications for the economies and multilateral relations. This will include both sectoral and industry research, as well as interdisciplinary work that harnesses data to produce a variety of publications. You will work closely with the Climate and Energy Director to build on existing work streams, while also conceptualizing new analytical products and developing your own functional areas of research and specialization.
Primary Responsibilities
- Research and analyze the landscape around climate finance, climate technology, climate diplomacy, energy security, the geopolitics of energy transitions, and relevant governmental policies in the Middle East and its implications around the world.
- Conduct both quantitative and qualitative analysis on various aspects of climate governance, energy transitions, and specific specializations.
- Produce various forms of publications, from weekly commentary to monthly policy issue recommendations and quarterly case studies and long-form publications.
- Define your sub-specializations and develop works that align with ORF ME’s key areas.
- Engage in publications, external writing/co-authoring, and speaking engagements.
- Manage junior fellows and interns (as Research Fellow).
Qualifications
- For Research Fellow: PhD in a relevant field preferred but Master’s degree with 6-7 years of relevant work experience is acceptable.
- For Associate Fellow: Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
- For Junior Fellow: Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 1 year of relevant work experience.
- Candidates for all positions should have demonstrable experience working in economics, political economy, and/or climate technology industry and/or policy research, with a record of publications and writing.
- Excellent analytical and research skills and the ability to write effectively and communicate clearly in English (native or near-native).
- A good understanding of target audiences for analytical products and specialized research.
- A great team player, with the ability to think outside the box and not afraid to be original.
- Sectoral/functional expertise preferred but not necessary.
Contact
- Kindly send your CV and 3 writing samples to [email protected].
If your application meets our requirements, we will respond within a week.
Research Fellow / Associate Fellow / Junior Fellow – Tech & Innovation Policy
+Term: Full-Time
Location(s): Dubai
Posting Date: November 2024
About the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) Middle East (ME)
ORF ME is an independent, non-partisan think tank headquartered in Dubai, UAE, that is part of the world renowned Observer Research Foundation (est. 1990 in India) with a focus on critical policy challenges in the Middle East, India, and beyond. We are committed to tackling policy issues through independent research, inclusive dialogue, and collaborative partnerships to foster an interconnected world. ORF ME's key areas cover geopolitics, emerging technologies, and climate and energy transition.
Position Description
As Research Fellow or Associate Fellow, you will be primarily responsible for developing research and analysis on the intersection of technology and policy, and its implications for the economies and multilateral relations. This will include both sectoral and industry research, as well as interdisciplinary work that harnesses data to produce a variety of publications. You will work closely with the Emerging Technologies team to build on existing work streams, while also conceptualizing new analytical products and developing your own functional areas of research and specialization.
Primary Responsibilities
- Research and analyze the innovation, technology and social impact sectors, and relevant governmental policy.
- Conduct both quantitative and qualitative analysis on various aspects of tech governance, tech ecosystems, and specific specializations.
- Produce various forms of publications, from weekly commentary to monthly policy issue recommendations and quarterly case studies and long-form publications.
- Define your sub-specializations and develop works that align with ORF ME’s key areas.
- Engage in publications, external writing/co-authoring, and speaking engagements.
- Manage junior fellows and interns (as Research Fellow).
Qualifications
- For Research Fellow: PhD in a relevant field preferred but Master’s degree with 6-7 years of relevant work experience is acceptable.
- For Associate Fellow: Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
- For Junior Fellow: Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 1 year of relevant work experience.
- Candidates for all positions should have demonstrable experience working in economics, political economy, and/or technology industry and/or policy research, with a record of publications and writing.
- Excellent analytical and research skills and the ability to write effectively and communicate clearly in English (native or near-native).
- A good understanding of target audiences for analytical products and specialized research.
- A great team player, with the ability to think outside the box and not afraid to be original.
- Sectoral/functional expertise preferred but not necessary.
Contact
- Kindly send your CV and 3 writing samples to [email protected].
If your application meets our requirements, we will respond within a week.