Research Leader - Wargaming - Defence, Security and Justice

at  RAND Europe

RAND is a not-for-profit research institute with over 30 years of experience in conducting policy research for governments, international organisations, research councils, charitable foundations, and other organisations. We believe that good research helps shape sound answers to pressing societal challenges, ultimately making communities safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous in the future. RAND Europe has offices in Cambridge, Brussels and Rotterdam and employs approximately 170 staff.
We wish to recruit an experienced Research Leader in Wargaming within our Defence, Security and Justice (DSJ) research group. The focus of this role is to lead our growing portfolio of strategic and operational wargaming for both defence and security clients, including the design and delivery of both analytical and educational games.
The DSJ research group conducts a wide-ranging portfolio of research for a diverse client base in the UK, Europe and beyond. Our clients include UK government departments (e.g. Ministry of Defence, Home Office, FCDO, DSIT), other national governments (e.g. Dutch), EU institutions (e.g. European Commission, European Parliament), and international defence and security organisations (e.g. national defence departments, NATO), and various third sector and humanitarian organisations.

Our work covers a broad range of public policy issues across:

• Defence (defence strategy, policy, capability, and acquisition; defence economics; the defence workforce and Armed Forces community; influence and information operations)
• Security (terrorism; counter-violent extremism; human security; border security; energy security; resilience and cyber)
• Criminal Justice (rehabilitation and preventing crime; organised crime; law enforcement cooperation; drugs and illicit markets)

THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WILL LEAD / SUPPORT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECT DELIVERY FOR OUR PORTFOLIO OF WARGAMING WORK. WE ARE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH EXPERIENCE OF WINNING, DESIGNING AND DELIVERING WARGAMING PROJECTS FOR NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS AND MILITARIES IN THE UK AND EUROPE AND/OR FOR INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE ORGANISATIONS (E.G. NATO).

We are looking for an individual with a keen interest and understanding of wargaming; different approaches to the design and execution of educational and analytical games (including seminar games, matrix games, table-top exercises and other types of gaming methodology); the defence ecosystem for wargaming; and the challenges, opportunities, and implications of wargaming methods in a defence and security context. The role holder will have experience of designing and using a variety of strategic and operational wargaming approaches. Ideally, you will have experience of integrating wargaming with other research and analysis methods as part of a multi-method approach. You will also be experienced at leading and managing the delivery of projects working with a team of researchers, and have strong policy analysis skills.

REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrable experience in leading/managing the design and delivery of wargames with proven expertise in the successful delivery of these wargames in a defence and security context. Ideally candidates will have experience of delivering wargames at the strategic and operational level.
• Demonstrable experience in using a variety of wargaming methods, including methods for analytical and educational wargames, as well as proven ability to articulate the value of wargaming in a defence and security context.
• Experience of integrating wargames with other research and analysis methods as part of multi-method approaches to problem solving and/or research.
• Experience of winning and delivering wargaming and/or research projects for UK, European or international defence organisations and funders.
• Evidence of working as part of a team, motivating others, mentoring and actively developing colleagues for skills and career progression.
• Excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills (evidenced by examples) and the proven ability to communicate effectively with clients and to varied internal and external audiences. You should have demonstrable experience of writing, editing and disseminating the findings of wargames to policy audiences.
• Strong project leadership / management experience, including experience of people management, stakeholder management and budgeting.
• Proven ability to distil complex information and engage with detail whilst considering bigger picture issues and to message research and analysis findings clearly, succinctly and in consideration of target audiences.
• Eligible for, and willing to obtain, relevant national and/or NATO security clearance where required as part of the role.

GROUP AND OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working with team members and the DSJ Senior Leadership Team and Research Group Director to deliver the group’s strategic objectives.
• Working in a collegiate manner and contributing to the development and profile of the wider organisation.
• Helping to raise RAND Europe’s profile and communicate research findings to maximise impact.