Project Officer - International Deployments

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 the 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.

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

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• 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 the not-for-profit sector organisation.

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

Our expectations

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

Application Process

To apply, please click on the apply button and follow the instructions to submit your CV and cover letter. 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/or experience.

The closing date for applications is Friday 18th September.

Shortlisted candidates might be invited to complete a task as part of the recruitment process.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date could be brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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.

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 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 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.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@rusi.org.