Senior Research Fellow in African Security 192 views

The Royal United Services Institute is looking for a Senior Research Fellow in African Security

About RUSI:

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is one of the world’s leading research think-tanks in the fields of defence and security. It is now seeking to recruit a Senior Research Fellow in African Security to join its Research Group on International Security Studies.

Location: London

Job Type: Full-time

Salary and Benefits:

The Senior Research Fellow position is a full-time fixed-term 3-year position (with the possibility of becoming permanent) with a salary range of £45,000 – £70,000 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. In exceptional circumstances, however, we might appoint an excellent early-career researcher to the position at the top of the Research Fellow scale (£40,000-45,000).

RUSI offers several additional benefits, including a pension scheme (6% employer contribution) and a travel season ticket loan, as well as free access to RUSIs world-leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library.

About the Role:

RUSI currently covers Africa in several ways: we have an active research office based in Nairobi, which primarily focuses on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), and several research programmes in London which focus on Africa as part of their thematic research (for example on environmental crime, maritime security and counter-proliferation). In addition to this ongoing work, RUSI will now have a dedicated member of staff in London, researching African security issues.

The Senior Research Fellow will be part of the International Security Studies (ISS) research group and lead on African security issues, including through the Africa in Perspective programme. S/he will generate independent research projects, often in collaboration with other members of ISS and/or with other RUSI research teams (for example, on security sector reform in partnership with the Military Sciences team, or on conflict with our Terrorism and Conflict team) as well as liaise with the RUSI Nairobi office. The person appointed would also liaise with African think tanks and research centres.

Working in close cooperation with other RUSI experts, and RUSIs broader network of partners, there would be opportunities for the Senior Research Fellow to work in some of the following areas, depending on their own background and expertise: the role of major external powers in African security; sub-regional security dynamics in the Horn/East Africa and Red Sea region and the Sahel, notably conflicts (including those involving national and transnational jihadism) and peace operations; the role of regional and sub-regional security organisations ;security sector reform; serious and organised crime, policing and intelligence.

The Senior Research Fellow will be expected to follow and contribute to discussions about the role of the United Kingdom and other European nations in African security.

The successful candidate will be a self-starter who can generate and lead their own portfolio of work, while reporting directly to the ISS Director of RUSIs International Security Studies group. The Senior Research Fellow position offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced professional with an established record of achievement working on African security issues, whether in government, think tanks, advocacy, academia or the private sector.

You should be willing to travel internationally, should the role demand it.

You will be able to start work at RUSI in February 2021 or on an agreed date.

Job Description:

• In coordination with the ISS Director, develop RUSIs African security research, lead on business development in relation to research projects, co-author successful bids, and liaise with key public and private sector funders
• Execute and oversee delivery of research projects, including responsibility for budget management
• Make a substantial contribution to published commentary and media engagement on African security, working with the RUSI Communications team, and thereby enhance RUSIs national and international profile and reputation.
• Lead and develop the Africa in Perspective programme, including organising events and publications, and developing a network of RUSI associate fellows able to contribute to the institute’s agenda on African security.
• Work with the ISS Director to assist with financial and operational management of the team’s portfolio of work and other management related responsibilities where relevant, including the supervision of junior staff.

Person Specification:

• The chosen candidate will be expected to demonstrate most of the following:
• Sophisticated understanding of a wide range of contemporary African security issues
• Nationally and internationally recognised expertise on specific aspects of African security, including evidence of significant publications in the field – expertise on the Horn, East Africa and/or the Sahel an advantage
• Ideally the candidate would have a mix of policy and academic expertise
• Ability to work autonomously to achieve agreed goals
• Demonstrated ability in the development and successful delivery of major research projects
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders from a variety of professional and functional backgrounds
• Demonstrated experience of working with governments in one of the following fields: civil service, advocacy, think tanks, the private sector or academia
• Excellent analytical and methodological skills, and an organised approach to research
• Willingness and ability to contribute to the public understanding of the field, including through media engagements, and ability to present complex issues in an engaging and clear way
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, including evidence of working successfully as part of a team.

Interested candidates please apply.