Counter Terrorism 3 x Senior Analysts & 1 x Researcher

Government Recruitment Service; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental department is seeking a CT Senior Researcher to join its Knowledge Hub in Manchester. This role involves conducting analysis on terrorist exploitation of the online ecosystem, presenting findings for policy development, and maintaining collaborative relationships across the national security community. Candidates should have a relevant postgraduate degree and strong research skills. Flexible working hours available, including part-time options.

Qualifications

• Experience in conducting high-quality research to inform policy that addresses online radicalisation.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to present insights effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and establish key relationships across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct analysis on how terrorists exploit online ecosystems.
• Present findings to inform policy decisions across government.
• Develop and maintain relationships within the CT community and academic partners.
• Provide out-of-hours analysis in response to incidents.

Skills

Research

Data Analysis

Communication

Critical Thinking

Education

Relevant postgraduate degree

Job description

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair, and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counterterrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration, and passports.

Homeland Security Group’s (HSG) mission is to reduce homeland security risks to the UK’s people, prosperity, and freedoms. This includes risks from terrorism, state threats, economic crime, and cyber-crime. We provide systems leadership across government and deliver strategic initiatives, working closely with operational partners, the Intelligence Agencies and other external organisations to protect the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to join RICU’s (Research, Information, Communications, Unit) Knowledge Hub in the Counter-Radicalisation and Enablers Unit.

A unique Home Office team that informs the UK’s Counter Terrorism (CT) community on terrorist use of propaganda and the role the online ecosystem plays in radicalisation. The Counter-Radicalisation and Enablers Unit sits in the Prevent Directorate within HSG and supports a number of strategies that deliver against CONTEST objectives.

The RICU Knowledge Hub is an insight and research-led team responsible for developing and delivering the evidence-base for Prevent interventions in support of counter-terrorism priorities. The overarching aim of Prevent is to reduce the risk to the UK, its citizens, and its interests overseas from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

The RICU Knowledge Hub comprises three distinct but complementary teams (Research, News & Analysis and Data & Innovation), who produce analysis and research to inform customers across Prevent teams, as well as the broader national security community.

We are recruiting for four vacancies in RICU’s Knowledge Hub:

1 x CT Senior Researcher (Research Team)

We are looking for a motivated senior researcher officers to join our Research Team and deliver first-class research and insight to inform strategic, operational and policy decision making, with a particular focus on online radicalisation. This research will play a pivotal part in informing the delivery of our online policy objectives.

2 x CT Senior Analyst (News and Analysis)

We are looking for motivated senior analysts to join our News and Analysis Team and deliver outstanding insights to advise on strategic, operational and policy decision making.

1 x CT Senior Analyst (Data and Innovation)

The Data and Innovation Team’s primary focus is understanding and evidencing terrorist use of the internet. The team provides expert advice underpinned by robust analysis to advise policy development and the wider CT network. Candidates should have a curiosity about online platforms, technology, and AI, and exploring how terrorists may exploit these to disseminate propaganda and radicalise others online.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Conduct and oversee analysis and research to identify and determine themes and narratives as to how terrorists exploit the online ecosystem. Analyse how content resonates with audiences and communicate clear, accessible insight on radicalisation risks.

• Present research and analysis in order to inform, drive and refine policy and delivery. You will present your findings to colleagues and cross-Whitehall partners and be consistently innovative in seeking out new ways to convey your analysis.

• Develop and maintain relationships with the cross-Whitehall CT community. Work with academia and commercial partners to design and lead external research and ensure our analysis remains innovative and delivering for our priority policy and operational customers.

• Develop and maintain personal subject-matter expertise. Make time for ongoing professional development through participation in academic forums, in the UK and internationally, sharing learning with others and building capability.

• Maintain a strong horizon scanning capability. Identifying and responding to emerging radicalisation risks, including for example supporting HM Government’s response to Violence Fascinated Individuals (VFI) and exploring links between state threats, terrorism and extremism.

• Provide high-quality out-of-hours analysis in response to terrorism or national security related incidents, working closely with Homeland Security Operations to feed into ministerial briefings and ensuring 24/7 cover when a situation demands. The role includes providing ‘on-call’ support, approximately one weekend every two months.

It will be necessary to work flexibly and contribute to other areas to support the wider efforts and priorities of Homeland Security as required, performing additional duties expected within the scope of the grade. Due to the nature of our work, it may be necessary to redeploy you to other critical roles, or priority work at your grade.

Working pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis with the option of compressed hours working. This role is also suitable for part-time working hours, with a minimum requirement to work 15 hours over two days per week due to business requirements.

Applications from job share candidates are welcome, but any job offer is conditional upon a viable job-sharing arrangement being available.

Travel

The successful candidate may be expected to travel to other work locations. Occasional international travel may be required based on business need. All related costs will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.

Training

Successful candidates will be expected to complete a six-week training course, entitled ‘The New Analyst Programme (NAP)’. This aims to equip analysts with the knowledge and core skills required to operate at the working level of the Cabinet Office’s Professional Development Framework - Intelligence Analysis Professional Development Framework - GOV.UK. New starters will also undertake a four-day ‘Internet, Intelligence, and Investigation (III pro)’ training course.