Reports to: Deputy Director‑General
Department: Terrorism and Conflict
Salary range: £77,000 - £90,000 dependent on experience
Location: London
Hours: Full time – 37.5 per week
About the Role
RUSI’s Terrorism and Conflict team is looking to recruit an expert in the field of terrorism to provide maternity cover for the research group starting from July. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who can generate funding and lead the team’s diverse work portfolio, while reporting directly to RUSI’s Deputy Director‑General.
We are particularly interested in candidates with an interest in developing funded research projects in the following areas:
- The intersection between violent extremism and conflict including integrated P/CVE responses.
- State threats and social extremism including misinformation and disinformation.
- International terrorism related to jihadi groups, the transnational far right and other relevant groups, networks and movements.
These areas will complement the team’s existing portfolio of work on CT and P/CVE, which includes research, policy advice, training and implementation. We work in the UK, Europe and a number of global ‘hotspots,’ including East and West Africa, Central and South Asia and the Balkans. We also run an active training programme on CT and CVE for diplomatic, development and civil society representatives.
Our team encompasses 12 staff in London, Brussels and Nairobi and we work closely with an extensive range of consultants and associate fellows from the academic, diplomatic, development and practitioner worlds in the UK and internationally.
RUSI wishes to appoint an acting Research Director on a one-year fixed term contract to provide maternity cover for the Terrorism and Conflict Research Group. This could lead to a permanent research position if funding in the areas outlined above is secured during the year.
The role offers an exceptional opportunity for an individual with at least ten years of experience in the field of terrorism as a researcher, policymaker or practitioner. It is essential that the successful candidate has a strong track record of business development and of securing significant funding. The role involves significant management responsibility including oversight of RUSI’s office in Nairobi and management of T&C’s team in RUSI Europe. We are therefore particularly interested in candidates with significant management experience.
Duties and Responsibilities
TheDirector will report to the Deputy Director-General, and willbe responsible for the following:
- Management responsibilities: much of the role is focused on management-related activities including management of the team’s portfolio of work and income and responsibility for meeting financial budgets set by RUSI; line management of staff in London, Brussels and Nairobi, management of the RUSI Nairobi Office and a role in managing RUSI Europe as a board member; and other management related responsibilities where relevant.
- Business development and fundraising: All T&C’s work is project funded. Business development is the top priority for the year in line with the topics identified. The requirement will be to develop concepts for new research projects; identify potential customers, stakeholders and sources of funding; write applications/proposals for research funding; and develop a network of potential funders and beneficiaries.
- Team development: responsibility for developing the capacity and expertise of all team members, particularly junior researchers, to improve their knowledge base and develop their skills in designing and writing research proposals; overseeing and implementing research projects; research skills; academic and policy writing; public speaking; and event organisation.
- Conducting research on terrorism and counter-terrorism: conducting primary and secondary research on terrorism for a range of customers/clients in the UK and overseas; writing and communicating research outputs (published papers, analytical reports, commentaries, conference papers, presentations etc.); editing, supervising and quality control of the outputs of other researchers (within RUSI and/or partner organisations); projecting RUSI’s research in academia, government, industry, and in the media (print, broadcast, social media).
- Project management: ensuring that research projects are run effectively and efficiently and achieve their desired outcomes; conducting project risk assessments; liaising with beneficiaries, partners and funders; supervising the organisation of events and publications.
- Developing skills; expertise and profile: maintaining and developing knowledge in relation to the evolving field of terrorism and CT; and developing a network of CT experts.
The above list of duties is not exhaustive. The post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may be expected within the role's scope and grade.
Person Specification
Essential
The chosen candidate will be expected to demonstrate the following:
- Evidenced and nationally recognised expertise in terrorism, and at least 10 years of demonstrated experience working on these topics in a research, practitioner, or policy role.
- Demonstrated ability and track record in winning and delivering major projects in the UK and/or internationally, with the ability to lead major research project bids and identify new funding opportunities for RUSI.
- At least 5 years’ experience leading and managing diverse teams and budgets.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing research projects with robust monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning frameworks and demonstrated applied risk management experience.
- Demonstrated experience of working with governments or multilaterals in one of the following fields: civil service, advocacy, think tanks, the private sector or academia.
- Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and with broad variations in seniority and function.
- Excellent analytical and methodological skills, and an organised approach to research.
- Willingness and ability to contribute to the public understanding of your field, including through media engagements, and ability to present complex issues in an engaging and clear way.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills and an existing network of key stakeholders in the field of terrorism.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a not-for-profit sector organisation.
- Experience conducting research or managing projects in a range of locations worldwide including risk management in context of programming in FCAS.
Application Process
To apply, please use the link above. You will be asked to include:
- Your CV
- A covering letter
The closing date for applications is 0900 on 23 May 2024.
A written test will accompany the interview process.
- Location: The role is based in London and requires the successful candidate to be present in the office at least two days a week. The position requires the right to live and work in the UK. RUSI is open to sponsorship.