Research Leader/Senior Research Analyst - Defence and Security - Ukraine & CEE

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RAND is a not-for-profit research institute with over 30 years of experience in conducting policy research for governments, international organisations, research councils, charitable foundations, and other organisations. We believe that good research helps shape sound answers to pressing societal challenges, ultimately making communities safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous in the future. RAND Europe has offices in Cambridge, Brussels and Rotterdam and employs approximately 170 staff.

We wish to recruit an experienced Research Leader or Senior Research Analyst in our Defence and Security research group based in Cambridge, Brussels or Rotterdam to focus on and lead our growing portfolio of work on Ukraine and security in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea.

The Defence and Security research group conducts a wide-ranging portfolio of research for a diverse client base in the UK, Europe and beyond. Our clients include UK government departments (e.g. Ministry of Defence, Home Office, Office for Veterans Affairs), EU institutions (e.g. European Commission, European Parliament), national and international defence and security organisations (e.g. national defence departments, NATO), and various third sector and humanitarian organisations.

Our work covers a broad range of public policy issue issues across:

• Defence (defence strategy policy, capability, and acquisition, the defence industrial base and innovation, defence economics, science and technology analysis, space, gaming and foresight)
• Security (terrorism; counter-violent extremism; human security; border security; energy security; resilience and cyber)

The successful applicant will, depending on their level of seniority, lead and/or offer substantive support for business development and project delivery for our portfolio of work related to the ongoing war in Ukraine and associated security developments.

We are looking for an individual with a keen interest and understanding of the defence and political/economic context in Ukraine and its neighbourhood. You should have substantial first-hand experience working with the Ukrainian government and civil society and understand their needs and ways of working. You will be experienced at research project management, leading the delivery of projects working with a team of researchers, and have strong policy analysis skills.
Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Helping to lead RAND's research on Ukraine's foreign, defence and economic policies.
• Supporting the growth of RAND Europe's Ukraine research proposition through public engagement, research communication and the development of its professional network.
• Mentoring research staff and facilitating development of others' project management and methodological skills.
• Helping ensure that RAND Europe's research has a positive impact within policy communities and the wider world.

Business development

• Contributing to and supporting the delivery of Defence and Security group revenue and sales targets by helping secure funding for research and consultancy tasks and supporting others in doing so.
• Co-ordinating, managing and supporting a portfolio of business development initiatives including supporting bid and proposal activity, often as multi-partner proposals - in particular relating to our Ukraine strategy and portfolio.
• Building networks and contacts with funders and collaborators.

Group and other responsibilities

• Working with team members and the Defence and Security Senior Leadership Team and Research Group Director to deliver the group's strategic objectives and develop our Ukraine-related workstream.
• Working in a collegiate manner and contributing to the development and profile of the wider organisation.
• Helping to raise RAND Europe's profile and communicate research findings to maximise impact.

Requirements

Required

• Fluency in English and Ukrainian
• Willingness and ability to travel between office locations (Cambridge/Brussels/Rotterdam), Ukraine, and other points in Europe for business development/meetings with clients as necessary
• An advanced degree (MA or equivalent) in a relevant topic
• An excellent network in the Ukrainian government system and some experience of working for or around the government. Strong understanding of Ukrainian civil society and the NGO scene is also a requirement, given their importance to policy.
• Expert understanding of how Ukrainian government works (centrally and regionally) with appreciation of the domestic policy agenda and its international relations
• An understanding of the fundamentals of the Ukrainian economy.
• An understanding of the role of research and analysis in policy making, and experience conducting research in Ukraine.
• Experience of winning and delivering research projects for UK, EU or international defence organisations and funders.
• Evidence of working as part of a team, motivating others, mentoring and actively developing colleagues for skills and career progression.
• Strong project leadership / management experience, including experience of budget preparation and people management.
• Excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills (evidenced by examples) and the proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and to varied internal and external audiences. You should have demonstrable experience of writing, editing and disseminating policy research reports.

Desirable

• At least working knowledge of Russian
• A PhD in a relevant field

Personal qualities

• Commercially astute, analytical thinker with the ability to see issues strategically and at a practical level from a variety of perspectives.
• Networking and sales presentation skills to build relationships, facilitate joint decision making and cultivate relationships with potential funders and collaborators.
• Hands-on, team player with a strong commitment to rigorous and high-quality research, customer service and the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks, and work to tight deadlines.
• Enthusiastic about learning new skills, expanding your knowledge, and contributing to people development initiatives, such as training.
• Self-starter and pro-active, and comfortable working with ambiguity as well as process.
• Open-minded, with the humility to recognise success in others and accept challenge from highly capable junior members of the team.

This role will be based in RAND Europe's Cambridge, Rotterdam, or Brussels offices, working alongside RAND Europe colleagues, in a hybrid working model with the option to work from home (minimum one day in the office per week, with some flexibility).

There will also be a requirement to travel and spend periods traveling to and working in Ukraine (principally Kyiv), and visiting clients and partners on site - typically in London and Brussels though occasionally further afield.