Research Analyst/Project Officer

Reports to: Research Analyst, Project Officer

Department: Centre for Finance and Security

Salary range: £34,000 - £38,000 per annum, based on skills and experience

Location: London

Contract: 18-month fixed term contract

Hours: Full time

About RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), based in London, Brussels and Nairobi, is the UK’s leading independent think tank engaged in cutting edge research in defence and security. Its mission is to inform, influence and enhance public debate on a safer and more stable world. RUSI is a research-led institute, producing independent, practical and innovative analysis to address today’s complex challenges.

About the Department

The Centre for Finance & Security (CFS) at RUSI is a leading authority on the intersection of finance and security. Its research aims to advance the integrity of the financial system by equipping the international community with the knowledge, tools and ideas to understand, identify and disrupt the threats of illicit finance.

The CFS produces research, convenes policy discussions, organises events and workshops, and delivers international capacity‑building programmes with partner institutions. CFS also shares its work through digital outputs including the Suspicious Transaction Report podcast, a monthly newsletter and social media updates.

About the role

The postholder will work primarily on a new philanthropically funded project designing a digital tool to help policymakers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) develop contextually grounded anti-fraud strategies, with an initial focus on authorised payment fraud and scams.

Authorised payment fraud, whereby victims are manipulated into sending money to criminals has grown rapidly in recent years, and its impact is felt acutely in LMICs, where the policy responses are often still taking shape. The project combines research, capacity building and technical assistance to help policymakers in countries where a response is still nascent develop contextually relevant and evidence-based solutions. Initially starting as a pilot, the project will develop a digital tool which helps governments assess their fraud landscape and build impactful strategies.

The role is split roughly equally between project management and research, with a greater emphasis on project management tasks at the beginning of the contract. The successful candidate will be responsible for much of the project’s day‑to‑day delivery, while contributing directly to the research and policy work underpinning the tool. It is well suited to someone early in their career who wants to move beyond studying policy and help governments design and implement meaningful reforms. The role offers the opportunity to build expertise in the development and implementation of effective financial crime policy, and in the responsible use of digital and AI‑enabled tools to support policymakers in LMICs.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the project, maintaining work plans, timelines and trackers and flagging risks early;
• Act as a key point of contact for external partners and LMIC counterparts, partners and external experts, managing correspondence and scheduling;
• Organise workshops, meetings and consultations (in person and online), including logistics, materials and follow-up;
• Support the development of the digital tool by coordinating input from extant research, policymakers and technical partners;
• Prepare updates and contribute to reporting for the project’s funder, and support budget tracking alongside CFS finance colleagues;
• Conduct desk-based research on authorised payment fraud, scams and anti-fraud policy responses to inform the design and content of the tool;
• Develop research content for the project portal for use by LMIC policymakers;
• Support LMIC policymakers in designing and implementing surveys to understand their national fraud landscape;
• Draft workshop materials, policy briefs and other outputs;
• Contribute to wider CFS research, commentaries and events as opportunities arise.
• There may be opportunities to travel in support of project activities, although this is not a requirement of the role

The above list of duties is not exhaustive. The post holder will be required to undertake such duties that may reasonably be expected within the scope and grade of the role.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience

• A genuine interest in financial crime policy, and in fraud in particular;
• An interest in how AI and digital tools can be developed and deployed responsibly to support policymakers in low- and middle-income countries;
• A degree in a relevant field (such as international relations, security studies, economics, development, law or public policy), or equivalent experience;
• Excellent written English, with the ability to turn research into clear, accessible material for policy audiences;
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines with care and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build professional relationships with a range of stakeholders;
• A self-starter who is comfortable taking initiative;
• Confidence using Office 365 software;

Desirable skills and experience

• A master’s degree in a relevant field;
• Experience of project and/or product coordination or management, in any sector;
• Experience of, or familiarity with, working with or in LMICs, including with government counterparts;
• Familiarity with survey design or other primary research methods;
• Knowledge of fraud, anti-money laundering or wider financial crime issues;
• Experience contributing to the development of a digital product or online resource;

We welcome applications from candidates who do not meet every criterion listed above. Specialist knowledge of fraud is not required; curiosity, a bias to action, sound judgement and a willingness to learn matter more

• 25 days annual leave (rising with service)
• Additional days off during Christmas - RUSI Christmas closure days
• Generous pension contributions at 6% employer contribution
• Access to 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Season ticket loan
• Life assurance (after successful completion of probation period)
• Free access to RUSI's world leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• *Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• *Depending on length of service

We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSI’s Vision and Values and Equal Opportunities Statement

Equal Opportunity and Values

At RUSI you will be appreciated and valued. Our stakeholders, transactions, and projects are international and diverse, so we work hard to create inclusive teams that support our efforts and each other. We are committed in promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and make it as diverse as the communities we serve. Our recruitment data helps us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment practices in order that we can continue to improve on creating a more diverse workforce. We’re aware that the questionnaire may not capture the rich complexities of our backgrounds and identities, so we apologise if these are not best described. Please note that this data will be kept confidential and separated from your job application. If you are uncomfortable sharing, choose "Prefer not to say" or skip the questions entirely.