Intern, Digital Currency

Grade Level: Non-Exempt | Grade Level 1
Reports to: Financial Freedom Team Lead

About NED

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) seeks to advance democracy and freedom. NED seeks to empower its partners to inform, organize, and mobilize constituencies for political reforms as a means to build and sustain democracy.

At NED, you will join a team of committed individuals who are mission- and values-driven. We are looking for individuals who will deliver their talents in support of our work.

Our values include:

• Respect

• Empathy

• Accountability

• Adaptability

• Excellence

Position Summary

NED is creating student and employee partnerships to facilitate institutional growth and development. We seek a motivated, energetic, organized, and resourceful intern specializing in digital currency systems who would be excited to join a fast-paced Financial Freedom team. The intern will use their expertise in digital payments to work closely with Finance, Grants, and Program staff in support of NED’s innovation and implementation of digital currency systems for grantee payments. The intern will work with the Financial Freedom team lead and project manager to conduct research on best practices for digital payments, contribute to the development of internal NED systems and processes, and develop digital payments solutions for NED grantmaking staff and grantees.

This position will start on May 18, 2026, for no more than twelve (12) weeks and may not be extended. This is a paid position, at $17.95 per hour. Intern working hours will be minimum 20 hours per week.

This internship is for an in-person opportunity position based in Washington, DC.

Primary Responsibilities

Research

• Conduct research into legal, technical, and security environments for digital currency use in countries where NED grantees are considering digital currency payments and monitor developments impacting existing or potential grantee digital currency payment practices.

• Maintain up-to-date reference resources explaining available digital currency system options in each relevant country context.

• Identify and assess available external training opportunities for NED staff and grantees, including programs offering training and consultations specific to regional or country contexts.

Digital Currency Solutions

• Monitor developments in digital payment technology to identify new tools or systems with the potential to improve security or efficiency for grantees receiving digital currency payments.

• Provide input on optimizing digital currency payments system for maximum efficiency, security, and accountability.

• Provide technically-informed assessments of potential digital currency products or services.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in or recent graduation from an undergraduate or graduate degree program in international relations, comparative political science, international development, computer science, information technology, finance, or other relevant field.

• Demonstrated practical skills in research, analysis, and digital payment system design.

• Deep knowledge of diverse digital currency tools and security.

• Passionate about digital currency as a tool for supporting civil society and democratic values worldwide.

• Discretion to collaborate with politically vulnerable individuals and groups prioritizing duty of care.

• Preferred professional experience in technical support for digital currency systems users or working with international organizations and with cross-cultural communication.

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer. NED does not provide visa sponsorship and will not consider candidates who now or in the future require employment visa sponsorship.

Talent in Action

Consistent with NED’s talent statement, and grounded in our values, the successful individual in this role will demonstrate the following competencies in the delivery of their work while supporting NED’s efforts to advance democratic change:

• Purpose-Driven

• Reliable

• Expertise

• Respectful Collaboration

• Curiosity

• Results-Oriented

• An Optimistic Mindset

NED Total Compensation

The compensation for this internship is $17.95 per hour.