VOLUNTEER

Volunteer Opportunity for Students & Recent Grads

We are seeking high school students, university students, and recent graduates interested in international relations to volunteer with The Sage Institute for Foreign Affairs, a Richmond-based nonprofit dedicated to enhancing access to global affairs knowledge. Our work involves making expert insights accessible to diplomats, journalists, and other professionals as well as fostering communities of foreign affairs experts.

Volunteers contribute to a variety of projects:

• Bilateral Maps Project: Gather and map data on global bilateral relations. Most of our volunteers work on this team project.

• Think Tank Database Project: Build a comprehensive database of global think tank experts to aid diplomats, journalists, and policymakers.

• Global Stories Project: Help curate content that highlights the geopolitical underpinnings of foreign policy.

Our volunteer roles are virtual, offering significant flexibility. Volunteers set their own hours, committing to anywhere from one to ten hours per week, with a minimum commitment of 40 hours over at least three months. These hours may be recognized as volunteer contributions at participating schools.

Join us to help bring clarity to complex global issues and gain valuable experience in the field of international relations. Your efforts will directly support the work of diplomats, journalists, and global affairs professionals around the world.

Part-Time, Remote Operations Assistant

The Sage Institute for Foreign Affairs is seeking a part-time, remote Operations Assistant to provide administrative support and help streamline day-to-day operations. This is a flexible, admin-heavy role ideal for someone who thrives on structure, takes ownership of tasks, and gets things done.

You’ll collaborate with the Executive Director and a small, committed team focused on content, design, research, and strategy. Your job is to help identify and manage administrative needs that keep internal workflows moving. While the focus is on logistics, coordination, and follow-through, the role also offers insight into how a nonprofit operates behind the scenes.

This is a contractor position — independent and flexible with an hourly wage. You’ll set your own hours, with occasional deadlines for completing agreed-upon tasks in coordination with the Executive Director. This position is up to 10 hours per week, although usually less. Hours will vary week-to-week depending upon ongoing tasks.

Key Responsibilities

• Draft clear, concise correspondence and meeting notes

• Track donors and organize fundraising materials

• Help prep for board meetings

• Funnel receipts and other documentation to our bookkeeper

• Administratively onboard and track new volunteers and contractors

• Track key deadlines and ensure required documentation is submitted

What We're Looking For

• Super organized, detail-oriented, and proactive

• A self-starter who takes initiative and figures things out

• Creates systems for maximum efficiency

• Comfortable working with a small team where everyone wears multiple hats

• Clear and confident communicator

• Comfortable managing your own time and handling a variable part-time schedule

• Familiarity with tools like Slack, Mailchimp, Bloomerang, Quickbooks, and Airtable (or willingness to learn fast)

• Interest in nonprofit operations and leadership

• Prior experience in admin or nonprofit settings is a plus

Sage is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply

Email a brief note of interest telling us which parts of this position resonate with you along with your resume to info@thesageinstitute.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.