Joining the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) means making a real difference to the world. Now uniting development and diplomacy in one department, the FCDO pursues the UK’s national interests overseas. We are at the heart of an unrivalled global network of economic, diplomatic and security partnerships.
Joining our Eastern Research Group (ERG), you will focus on Russia and the former Soviet Union, a high-priority area of focus for the UK government. You will help to develop the FCDO’s understanding of how Russia operates, its relations with the rest of the world (including us), and how to overcome existing obstacles to co-operation, By informing and shaping our understanding, you will make a real difference to the formulation of the FCDO’s policy agenda towards this region.
As a Senior Research Analyst you will provide high-quality, timely research and analysis. Your in-depth specialist insights will underpin policy-making on Russia and the (non-Baltic) former Soviet Union and provide challenge to policy-makers. You will work in close collaboration with policy colleagues within FCDO and with partners across the analytical community. Your analysis will be presented through formal papers and live contribution to policy debates, as well as teach-ins and briefings. In addition, you will maintain regular contact with outside experts, including the academic community, think-tanks and other parts of Government, and you will conduct frequent analytical exchanges with allies.
Ready to respond to changing priorities in the post-Soviet region, you will bring established regional expertise, including knowledge and understanding of the overarching Russian political landscape as well as particular specialisms. These might cover, for example, the South Caucasus, Central Asia, Belarus, Ukraine, Russian security and defence (including cyber), the Russian economy and Russian domestic and foreign policy.
You will need to demonstrate a command of either Russian or Ukrainian to degree level or equivalent (C1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This will be matched by deep specialist knowledge on Russia or countries of the non-Baltic former Soviet Union, gained through university-level study or periods of work in the region. Excellent drafting and analytical skills are expected, including when working under pressure, as is the ability to communicate complex analysis to non-specialists. You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and this role requires you to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
Learning and development is integral to the role. You will be given time to develop your expertise, including through research visits to relevant overseas networks, and attendance at external seminars and conferences.
You can also look forward to a package that includes a high-quality pension scheme, a minimum of 25 days’ holiday, flexible working and excellent, long-term career development.
Total Package: £41,499 to £48,000 + £4,000 specialist allowance.