Project Officer - International Deployments

Royal United Services Institute

About the Organisation

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. 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 Project Officer (PO) - International Deployments would take full responsibility for the planning and successful delivery of a rolling portfolio of CFS international deployments, as directed by the Head of Countering Proliferation Financing Programme (Line Manager). At any one time, the post-holder would normally be responsible simultaneously for approximately 3-5 forthcoming international deployments - wherever those locations might be - and would own those deployments from initial planning through delivery and follow-up.

The Line Manager (or other relevant colleagues) would determine programme priorities, provide substantive and strategic direction and retain senior oversight. The PO would then be responsible for turning those priorities into successfully delivered activities. Administrative and logistical support is provided by the team's Shared Project Officer, a distinct role from this, though sharing the same PO title, who also reports to the Head of Countering Proliferation Financing Programme. The PO would be expected to both manage the deployments and personally undertake administrative tasks associated therewith.

Responsibilities

Own Assigned International Deployments:

• Take end-to-end responsibility for approximately 3-5 assigned international deployments at any one time.
• Develop and maintain the delivery plan for each deployment, including milestones, responsibilities, dependencies and deadlines.
• Anticipate requirements and risks and ensure action is taken early rather than waiting for problems to arise.
• Keep the Head of Countering Proliferation Financing Programme appropriately informed while exercising judgement and taking responsibility for routine delivery decisions.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management:

• Act as the principal day-to-day point of contact for relevant in-country partners, trainers, consultants, Associate Fellows and other stakeholders involved in assigned deployments.
• Build productive working relationships and adapt communication and engagement to different individuals, organisations and cultural contexts.
• Understand stakeholder interests and motivations and use this understanding to support successful delivery.
• Maintain professional and responsive relationships while avoiding unnecessary commitments or expansion of agreed activity.

Deployment Planning and Delivery:

• Lead the development of participant and stakeholder engagement plans.
• Coordinate workshop agendas and deployment requirements with relevant CFS researchers and subject-matter experts.
• Ensure trainers and consultants are properly briefed and have the information and materials required to deliver effectively.
• Oversee security, travel, venue, interpretation and other logistical requirements.
• Attend international deployments where appropriate and act as the principal programme-management lead on the ground.
• Make effective use of the shared Project Officer for administrative and logistical tasks.
• Provide clear briefs, deadlines and expectations for delegated work.
• Oversee rather than duplicate work relating to venues, travel, invitations, participant administration and other routine logistics.

Donor and Internal Coordination:

• Manage routine communications with the relevant donor/project contact concerning assigned deployments.
• Ensure donor requirements, approvals and deadlines are understood and met.
• Escalate substantive, strategic or sensitive issues to line manager with a recommended course of action.
• Coordinate effectively with CFS researchers, finance colleagues and other project staff.
• Manage related financial and reporting responsibilities
• Maintain oversight of the budget available for each assigned deployment.
• Work with the CFS Finance, Bids and Grants Manager to track expenditure and ensure commitments remain within budget.
• Ensure expenditure, contracting and financial information relating to deployments is accurate.
• Coordinate timely after-action reporting and other required project documentation.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

• Strong programme or project-management experience, preferably involving international delivery.
• Evidence of taking ownership of complex activities and delivering them with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Excellent judgement and the ability to adapt plans when circumstances change.
• Strong relationship-management skills and an ability to work effectively with people from different professional and cultural backgrounds.
• An ability to communicate differently with different stakeholders rather than relying on a single process or approach.
• A proactive mindset: anticipating what needs to happen next and proposing solutions rather than waiting for instruction.
• Excellent prioritisation and time-management skills.
• Confidence delegating work and achieving outcomes through administrative support and other colleagues.
• Strong attention to accuracy, particularly in relation to budgets, commitments and external communications.
• Experience organising complex international events, workshops or capacity-building activities.
• Willingness to travel internationally regularly.
• An interest in sanctions, illicit finance, proliferation financing or the wider work of CFS.
• Experience of working in a not-for-profit sector organisation.

Compensation & Benefits

• 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
• Free access to RUSI's world-leading programme of events and conferences, research materials and library
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Enhanced sick pay
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Depending on length of service

Working locations

• London, United Kingdom

How to apply

• To apply, please apply online and follow the instructions to submit your CV and cover letter.
• If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
• Please submit your CV and any supporting writing as one document. Your cover letter should be no longer than one page, explaining your interest in the role and any significant relevant skills and experience. The closing date for applications is Friday 18th September 2026.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date could be brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged. 
• Please note this is a project management and support role. Potential applicants looking for a research role in the Institute are advised not to apply.

Interviews

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Shortlisted candidates might be invited to complete a written test as part of the recruitment process.

Policies

We expect all staff to abide by and promote our RUSI’s Vision and Values and Equal Opportunities Statement. 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 to promoting equality and diversity in our workforce and making it as diverse as the communities we serve. Our recruitment data helps us monitor the effectiveness of our recruitment practices so 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.

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