ABOUT US

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

THE CENTER FOR RISING GENERATIONS

The Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations (CRG) is dedicated to ensuring that civil dialogue, civic engagement, and leadership development become a predictable part of the journey to adulthood in our society and around the world. Inspired by the Aspen Institute’s strategic plan and supported by a generous endowment from the Bezos Family Foundation, the Center for Rising Generations:

• Works to expand opportunities for, and elevate the voices of, youth and young adults at the Aspen Institute
• Creates opportunities to convene and build community beyond the Aspen Institute
• Encourages innovation that helps emphasize the assets that young people bring to help address today’s challenges

CRG supports placing early career professionals in high-responsibility positions throughout the Aspen Institute to create opportunities for career growth and to ensure youth voice is reflected across the Institute.

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITY YOUTH NETWORK

The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions promotes collaborative, community-based efforts that build the power and influence of those with the least access to opportunity. We support communities to come together to expand mobility, eliminate systemic barriers, and create their own solutions to their most pressing challenges. Throughout our history, we’ve done this work by focusing on supporting collaboration in communities, and on building community power and influence. In particular, we’ve supported communities to use these tools to support opportunity youth – young people who are disconnected from work and education.

Hosted at the Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions and managed in partnership with Global Development Incubator (GDI), GOYN improves economic outcomes for opportunity youth – young people aged 15-35 who are out of school, unemployed, or working in informal, often precarious jobs. Currently in 17 communities across nine countries, GOYN engages local public, private, and civil society partners alongside young people to collaborate at the community level, building pathways to dignified employment and entrepreneurship opportunities and changing entire systems to ensure young people realize their full potential. Young people themselves co-lead in designing solutions relevant to the local context, opening doors to sustainable livelihoods and stable, vibrant communities.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

The CRG Associate for Global Opportunity Youth Network (GOYN) will engage in three projects, all of which advance Aspen’s effort to contribute to improving outcomes for opportunity youth. The Associate will support GOYN’s work to expand efforts to a new community in Brazil, and they will support GOYN’s 2026 global convening.

The salary for this opportunity is $65,000. This term-limited position is set to begin April 20th, 2026, and will end April 23, 2027. The expectation is for this position to work out of the Washington D.C. office at least three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The CRG Associate for GOYN will work on two distinct projects over the course of the year:

Project 1: Brazil Collaborative Development (April–October 2026)

The associate would support GOYN’s consultancy work in Belo Horizonte, Brazil by contributing to the learning and research components in collaboration with GOYN staff and local partners. This includes:

• Supporting ecosystem and stakeholder mapping,
• Helping to design questionnaires for youth focus groups,
• Assisting with youth aspiration mapping, and
• Supporting the synthesis of findings.

Deliverables include contributions to an ecosystem analysis, a youth focus group insights brief, and a stakeholder engagement roadmap to inform the establishment of the local collaborative.

Project 2: Learning and Youth Track for the 2026 Global Convening (June 2026–January 2027)

The associate will support the design and implementation of the learning and youth track for GOYN’s annual Global Convening in Tanga, Tanzania in November 2026. This includes:

• Supporting youth session design with the Youth Partnerships team,
• Capturing learning during the convening, and
• Working with GOYN’s Program Associate post-convening to curate and disseminate youth stories and insights across GOYN platforms, including the website.

The Associate may have opportunities to participate in other projects and will be expected to contribute to program priorities.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO THRIVE

• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• Experience working collaboratively to co-create solutions to complex problems with data visualizations, dynamic tools, or compelling case studies.
• A demonstrated ability to work with others who have different experiences, backgrounds, and opinions.
• An eagerness to learn new skills and apply those skills to ongoing projects.
• The ability to work within a large organization, to navigate differences in priorities and strategies, and engage with diverse stakeholders.
• A proven ability to communicate effectively, accurately, and in a timely manner even when sharing disappointing news.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• A willingness to adapt to changing priorities and approaches.
• A willingness to travel, if needed.
• A spirit of possibility, curiosity, fun, and optimism.
• Experience working in organizations or with policies that support expanding opportunities for young people.
• Demonstrated experience working on issues related to opportunity youth.
• Ability to plan and support large scale events.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Through this one-year experience the CRG Associate will:

• Develop their leadership skills and learn how to operate effectively in a large organization
• Expand on their ability to develop a work plan; collaborate with others to effectuate the plan; review progress; make adjustments based on outcomes; and complete a project
• Gain experience with approaches that support opportunity youth; with large event planning; and with fundraising strategy.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, applicants should submit a resume and a cover letter. Applications for this opportunity will close March 10, 2026.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

The Aspen Institute welcomes individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs, including the interview process. If you would like to request accommodations or have questions about accessibility, please email hrsupport@aspeninstitute.org or call 202-736-2127 in advance of your visit. Requests for ASL or CART services should be made at least two weeks in advance when possible. We will make every effort to fulfill requests, subject to availability.