About Us

The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network (APLN) is an NGO and network of political, military, and diplomatic leaders and experts from across the Asia Pacific, working to address global security challenges, with a particular focus on reducing and eliminating nuclear weapons risks.

APLN works to ensure that the diversity of voices from our region are more effectively heard in global security debates to achieve practical policy change. Our activities are focused on addressing strategic rivalry in the region, facilitating dialogue and nuclear risk reduction measures, managing the China-US competition, and promoting nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. We produce research, host events, and undertake advocacy work.

The APLN office is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. With a team based in Seoul and in countries across the region, we are looking to recruit a talented new individual to join our organisation.

About You

The Asia-Pacific Leadership Network (APLN) is inviting applications for the position of Policy Fellow.

As a Policy Fellow, you will work closely with APLN staff across the full range of the organisation’s activities, including research, policy analysis, communications, events, fundraising, and network engagement. You will be expected to manage competing priorities, work collaboratively on projects, and contribute substantively to APLN’s mission. Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.

Job Description and Applicant Requirements

Job Title: Policy Fellow

Recruiter: Asia-Pacific Leadership Network (APLN)

Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing date: September 30, 2026

Salary: Negotiable, based on experience, qualifications, and location

Location: Remote but based within a time zone +/- 3 hours of Korean Standard Time (KST)

Duration: Full-time (40 hours per week)

 

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• Research and Analysis: Conducting research and analysis on issues related to APLN’s agenda, including nuclear risk reduction, non-proliferation, arms control, and regional security. Monitoring international news, policy developments, and events relevant to the organisation’s mission.
• Policy Development: Developing policy interventions and recommendations based on research to maximise APLN’s policy impact. Supporting outreach, briefings, and engagement with policymakers, government officials, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Writing and Publication: Drafting high-quality briefing papers, commentaries, reports, and other written materials to a publishable standard. Contributing comment pieces to the APLN website and external outlets.
• Publications Management: Supporting APLN’s publications and communications pipeline, including commissioning authors, managing timelines, editing and proofreading content, preparing materials for publication, and coordinating the production process.
• Communications and Media: Supporting APLN’s communications activities, including identifying opportunities for timely commentary, engaging with journalists, and contributing to media outreach. Helping to maintain and update APLN’s social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, Bluesky, and Apple News.
• Fundraising: Identifying potential funding opportunities from foundations, governments, and institutional partners. Contributing to the development of grant applications, project proposals, and donor reports.
• Events: Organising and supporting conferences, workshops, and roundtable discussions, ensuring events are delivered efficiently, on time, and within budget.
• Representation and Engagement: Representing APLN at conferences, meetings, and other relevant events. Helping to strengthen and expand the APLN network of members across the Asia-Pacific.
• Project and Budget Management: Providing regular updates to APLN senior management on project planning, budgets, progress, and activities.
• Team Collaboration: Working closely with other Policy Fellows and members of the APLN team to advance APLN’s research, policy, publications, communications, and engagement priorities.

Required Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree (or equivalent professional experience) in international relations, political science, security studies, public policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in nuclear non-proliferation, arms control, disarmament, or Asia-Pacific security.
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills in English.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools (e.g. Zoom, Teams, Google Docs).
• Highly organised, responsive, and able to manage multiple deadlines independently.
• Comfortable working remotely and across time zones in a distributed international team.
• Based within a timezone +/- 3 hours of Korean Standard Time.

Preferred but Not Required

• Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese (written and/or spoken). APLN has an active and growing China-focused workstream, and a Mandarin speaker would be a significant asset to the team.
• Proficiency in another Asian language
• Experience in policy research, think-tank, or NGO settings.
• Experience with WordPress, Canva, or social media management.
• Familiarity with grant writing or donor reporting.

How to Apply

• To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience align with this role (with Policy Fellow 2026 in the subject line) to hr@apln.network.
• In your cover letter, please specify the city where you will be based, including time zone; your current place of employment (if applicable); and any notice period.
• Please restrict your CV to no more than two pages of A4. This should clearly outline any relevant experience to date.
• Please include at least one reference letter. This should be submitted separately by your reference provider to hr@apln.network with the email subject line format: “Applicant Forename Surname, Policy Fellow Reference Letter.”
• Writing sample: Please include one relevant writing sample with your application. This could be a published article, a policy brief, a research paper, or any piece that demonstrates your writing ability.
• Residents in the Republic of Korea only: if you are a foreign resident in the ROK, please specify your visa status in your cover letter.

For any inquiries regarding the application process, contact hr@apln.network.

Note

Due to the high volume of applications, APLN will not respond to incomplete applications and may not be able to follow up on individual applications even if they are complete. This is a paid position. The applicant is solely responsible for ensuring proper work permits and tax reporting when based outside of the ROK.