Royal United Services Institute
Project Officer - Organised Crime and Policing
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Reports to: Head of Programme, Organised Crime and Policing
Department: Organised Crime and Policing
Salary range: £32,000 – £36,000, based on experience
Location: London
Contract: One-year fixed term contract, with intention for renewal
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.
RUSI’s Organised Crime and Policing research group is dedicated to understanding and addressing current and future organised crime and policing challenges, in the UK and globally. The group provides research, analysis and evaluation services for governments, law enforcement agencies, international institutions and the private sector. It also helps to facilitate dialogue between stakeholder communities, conducts research to inform high-level decision-making, enhances capacity to respond to organised crime, and bridges gaps between siloed responses to inform a more holistic, effective and forward-looking response.
Across the UK and globally, the damaging impact of organised crime is felt by individuals, communities, and the public and private sectors. Yet the national and global response has failed to keep pace with an evolving and increasingly technologically enabled threat. This rapidly changing environment has placed the public and private sector under unprecedented pressure to both comprehensively understand these complex and changeable issues and respond in real time to the threat to national security. In this context, our research explores the scale and nature of the shifting threat from organised crime, the harm it causes, and how best to respond.
About the role
RUSI wishes to appoint a new position at the level of Project Officer to work across the Organised Crime and Policing portfolio. RUSI’s Project Officers are early-career practitioners who are expected to support the implementation and administration of existing projects, to assist in fundraising for new programmes, and to develop their professional skills and knowledge when in post.
The role will include:
- Financial and grant management
- Reporting in line with contract requirements
- Coordinating technical assistance in the form of remote and in-country workshops
- Supporting the organisation of events
- Supporting the logistics of research activities
- Promoting the team’s work and ensuring that projects are run effectively from an administrative perspective
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Key tasks
The Project Officer will work on the following activities day-to-day:
- Support and lead the financial management of ongoing projects and programmes, working with RUSI’s Accounts department to ensure efficient and accurate: budget management, financial reporting and financial planning.
- Provide programme management support across the Organised Crime and Policing research group, including narrative reporting in line with contract requirements, coordinating technical assistance and supporting risk monitoring processes.
- Support development and lead delivery of key events, working with RUSI’s Events team to ensure smooth delivery of events such as workshops and conferences, both online/remote and in person, in the UK and in focal countries of ongoing projects.
- Provide administrative support to research projects, including maintaining accurate records and project documentation, organising travel (e.g. flights, accommodation and visas), and supporting additional logistical needs where relevant.
- Support the maintenance of an extensive network of contacts, including other experts (think tank and academia), law enforcement, governments, international organisations and the private sector.
- Support external communications by the research group, including, for example, research communication, newsletter development and growing social media audiences in partnership with RUSI’s Communications team.
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
- Excellent organisational skills and experience of project administration/management.
- Demonstrable experience in financial and budget management, reporting and associated administration.
- Demonstrable experience organising and supporting events.
- Excellent teamworking skills, proficient time management, and the ability to meet multiple deadlines promptly in a dynamic, fast-paced and team-oriented environment.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products, particularly Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Excellent attention to detail.
Desirable skills and experience
- Masters’ degree in a related field or demonstrable relevant experience/interest in serious and organised crime.
- Formal project administration and management knowledge and skills (e.g., experience in using PRINCE 2 or APM methods).
- Experience of working in a think tank or not-for-profit sector organisation.
- Fluency in French or Spanish an advantage.
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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.
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 1 page, explaining your interest in the role and any significant relevant skills and/or experience.
The closing date for applications is Monday 7th September 2026.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the closing date brought forward if needed. Early application is encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Shortlisted candidates might be invited to complete a task as part of the recruitment process.
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 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.
If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@rusi.org.
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