Research Fellow – International Law Programme At Chatham House

Are you a public international lawyer with an interest in research? If so, please read on!

Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a world leading independent policy institute based in London. As a global think tank, our mission is to help build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.

We seek a Research Fellow who will deliver legal research projects. Reporting to the Senior Research Fellow, this role will contribute to raising the profile of the International Law programme, the new Global Governance Centre, and Chatham House. The successful candidate will be adept at working flexibly and collaboratively and will share our commitment to promoting and upholding international law and multilateralism as vehicles for driving global cooperation.

We are an equal opportunity employer, we value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If you require assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us on HR@chathamhouse.org.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategy

• Play a leading role in producing international law and policy research outputs, maintaining and improving existing high standards, and have a commitment to excellence;
• Deliver research projects that align with the International Law programme, Global Governance Centre and Chatham House’s strategy;
• Expand our engagement with diverse partners and experts, support the growth of our funding network, and help develop new projects;
• Help craft creative projects and partnerships across a broad spectrum of law and legal policy;
• Deploy and shape innovative research methodologies to deliver ground-breaking research for policy and operational impact;
• Produce innovative policy-relevant legal research for publication;
• Generate outreach impact by supporting the convening of functions including research events, conferences and roundtables;
• Help develop funding leads and partnerships, creating momentum around programme projects;
• Work with programme leadership to support the new Centre;

People

• Deliver project reporting requirements, building and maintaining relationships with project funders;
• Management of project consultants;
• Oversee research, ensuring proper project planning and arrangements are in place;
• Secure relevant research funding by working collaboratively with colleagues to evaluate funding needs, and opportunities;
• Build and foster productive and positive relationships across the institute to enable cross-team collaboration ;
• Maintain and develop effective networks and relationships with relevant external partners;

Delivery

• Deliver complex projects, by defining objectives, goals, outputs, and target audience(s);
• Help maintain an overview of accurate budget management (including research, events and publications);
• Raise project, programme and Chatham House profile through the development of strong networks with policy makers, law and policy experts and the media;
• Identify and pursue opportunities for appropriate and innovative communication and dissemination of project findings;
• Propose and develop events, and utilize your network to develop diverse speaker and attendee lists;
• Chair and speak at events, as required;
• Support others in the team with fundraising as required;

Requirements

Experience

• Experience working on international law and policy issues connected to human rights, including human rights and the environment, whether in an academic, business, operational or public policy context, but with a practical and policy solutions lens;
• Experience in delivering research, knowledge of and competent use of research methodologies and activities;
• Demonstrable expertise in writing high quality thought pieces and policy recommendations for diverse audiences and, ideally, external publications;
• Experience in coordinating the delivery of research communication activities, including identifying creative solutions to present research in innovative ways;
• Understanding of successful fundraising for research/projects and engaging with potential donors;

Skills

You have/are:

• Extensive legal research skills and knowledge with policy applicability;
• The ability to write clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences;
• An outstanding, authoritative communicator, able to present information and arguments persuasively;
• Strong interpersonal skills, able to build relationships both internally and externally;
• A strategic problem solver, you understand how your research agenda fits within broader organizational strategy and societal frameworks;
• A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion;
• Organized, handling a wide range of tasks to deliver to tight deadlines, and demonstrate excellent decision making and judgement in relation to project delivery;
• A team ethos, collaborative and interested in actively developing colleagues’ skills and driving innovation;

Benefits

Benefits include approximately 37 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays and Chatham House closure days), enhanced pension scheme, employee assistance programme, life assurance, parental leave and other benefits designed to suit your own personal lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging and intellectually stimulating environment!

Salary: £39,000 – £47,000 (depending on experience)

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Location: Office/Home with a minimum of 2 days in the office. Flexible working requests will be considered