About RUSI

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is the world’s oldest and the UK’s leading defence and security think tank. 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 Financial Crime and Security (CFCS) at RUSI is a specialist research group focused 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.

About the Role 

The CFCS is recruiting for two Research Fellow roles to be based in RUSI’s offices in London or Brussels. Applicants should be able to conduct high-quality research and analysis in one of the following focus areas:  

1) Financial Crime and New Technology; or  

2) UK Economic Crime Reform (with a focus on Anti Money Laundering policy, regulation and law, as well as fraud reform and international approaches).  

The Research Fellows will lead CFCS’s body of work on their focus areas, overseeing research and implementation of existing projects, as well as contributing to future growth and development of these research streams.  

For both roles: 

• Conduct high-quality research, including being the primary author of in-depth research papers, shorter commentaries and guidance papers; 
• Serve as a thought leader in their focus area, including through identifying key policy developments and producing cutting-edge commentary aimed to influence key policy-makers and private-sector organisations (through publications, in-person engagement, and public events); 
• Represent the CFCS externally, including through participation in policy discussions and public speaking engagements, other relevant communications activities, and through the management of stakeholder relationships  
• Develop and organise (with internal RUSI support) research-related events, such as workshops, seminars, and conferences; 
• Generate new research ideas and funding, in cooperation with the CFCS Programme Manager and the Director of CFCS; 
• Line manage one or more staff;  
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, including Associate Fellows, CFCS team members and other RUSI teams. 

For the Financial Crime and New Technology Research Fellow: 

• Lead on the development and delivery of the third year of the Financial Crime 2.0 project, which focuses on the threats and opportunities of artificial intelligence; liaise with funders and external stakeholders; ensure deliverables are met on-time and on-budget; 
• Serve as an expert on financial crime-related technology developments across RegTech and FinTech, including the opportunities and challenges related to new technologies; 
• Be an expert on all matters related to cryptocurrencies, central bank digital currencies and financial crime-related issues linked to blockchain-based activity, and contribute to the CFCS’s long-standing work on DPRK sanctions implementation as it relates to cryptocurrencies. 

For the UK Economic Crime Reform Research Fellow: 

• Lead the delivery of research products for our UK Economic Crime Plan project; 
• Develop CFCS’s growing body of work on the fraud/anti-money laundering/security nexus; 
• Serve as an expert on AML regulation and supervisory regimes, with a primary focus on the UK, ideally supplemented with EU expertise;  
• Develop collaborative research coordination projects with academic institutions. 

**The above list of 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**

Essential Job Criteria: 

• Previous experience in a similar position and/or previous relevant experience, including evidenced knowledge on cryptocurrency for the New Technology role;
• Demonstrated research and analysis skills, substantiated by a track record of high-quality publications;
• A postgraduate qualification in a related field (or equivalent professional experience); 
• Excellent leadership, organisational and multi-tasking skills, and ability to prioritise; 
• Outstanding written skills are a critical requirement; 
• Evidenced understanding of both public and private sector perspectives on key financial crime policy debates; 
• Comfortable communicating with stakeholders from a variety of professional and cultural backgrounds and with broad variations in seniority, and with excellent oral and written communication skills; 
• Proactive thinker with the ability to work independently, as well as in a team; 
• Experience with budget management; 
• Willingness to travel.*  

*(This job will initially be home-based with all overseas engagements delivered virtually due to COVID-19 travel restrictions). 

Terms and Conditions 

The Research Fellow will be employed on a two-year fixed term contact, with an extension subject to funding. There is a six-month probationary period. The role will be based at RUSI’s office in London or Brussels with full flexibility to work from home as required by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  Necessary tech support will be provided.  

Please be advised that we are unable to sponsor a work permit for this position. All candidates will need the right to work in the UK/EU and will be asked to provide evidence. 

Salary and Benefits 

• Competitive salary depending on skills and experience. The research fellow salary band is £30,000 – £48,000 per annum.
• 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.

Equal Opportunities 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 employment practices and take reasonable steps not to unfairly discriminate in any way in our recruitment practices. We therefore encourage you to apply regardless of your socio-economic background, ethnicity, sexual preference, gender or physical disability.

To ensure equality of opportunity in our employment policies and monitoring of our recruitment practices, we ask candidates to complete our equal opportunity monitoring form which can be found here – Equal Opportunity Monitoring Form

Please note this will open in a separate browser, you will need to return to the vacancy page to complete your application.

We must stress that any information you provide will be strictly confidential and will not form part of the selection process.

Application Process 

Use the apply button at the top of the page to submit your CV, a statement of interest (max 200 words) and a short writing sample (in English) on the topic stated below. As you will only be able to upload 2 documents, please submit the statement of interest and writing sample together in the same document, as first attachment; and your CV separately, as second attachment

The writing sample should be a maximum of 500 words considering the following question: 

For the Financial Crime and New Technology role: 

• What technology-related development has had the greatest impact on financial crime (or financial crime prevention) in the recent years and why? 

For the UK Economic Crime Reform role:

• What should the UK aim to achieve in the review of the Money Laundering Regulations in 2022? 

The closing date for applications is 23:59 UK time, Sunday 13 June 2021. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Early submissions will be viewed favourably. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews via Zoom. Only shortlisted applicants will be informed they have been selected for interview.  Following a successful interview, a further written test will be requested (no preparation required) as part of the final round interview.  Please DO NOT submit multiple applications for this vacancy. We no longer accept applications to our recruitment mailbox, applications received in our mailbox will not be processed. If you experience any problems with submitting your application, please contact – recruitment@rusi.org