Research leader - Defence Capabilities, Industry and Acquisition (Dutch fluency)

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 The Hague and employs approximately 200 staff.

We wish to recruit an experienced defence and defence industry expert with an understanding of Dutch and European defence industry, R&D and military capability development. We are looking for a candidate with an ability to develop business, lead proposals, lead research projects and represent RAND in public and media engagements.

The DSJ research group conducts a wide-ranging portfolio of research for a diverse client base in the UK, Europe and beyond. Our clients in the Netherlands include the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, the NCTV, amongst others. International clients include the European institutions (e.g. the Defence and Space Directorate General of the European Commission, the European Defence Agency, the European Parliament), national governments and agencies, international defence and security organisations (e.g. 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; defence workforce and Armed Forces community)
• 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)

As part of our strategy to grow our work in the Netherlands, RAND Europe is looking for an experienced researcher to help manage and grow the Defence portfolio. The successful applicant will lead business development and project delivery for our portfolio and therefore we are particularly looking for an individual with experience of winning, designing and delivering projects in the Netherlands.

This position provides you with an opportunity to work at an internationally respected research organisation. Here, you will lead, manage and conduct collaborative research on defence and security topics – both classified and unclassified – in an intellectually stimulating, fast-paced and diverse working environment. You will directly inform government policy and decision-making at the highest levels and generate impact from your research for the public good. RAND Europe offers the chance to work on a variety of topics areas, with a range of methodologies, learning from a range of different colleagues, clients and collaborators globally.

Key Responsibilities

Research Leadership

• Contributing to research design, selection of appropriate analytical approaches, undertaking data collection, and analysing and reporting findings.
• Contributing to the group’s thought leadership on defence industry, R&D and military capability development. Helping to raise RAND Europe’s profile and communicate research findings to maximise impact.

Business development

• Taking forward RAND Europe’s successful research track record leading the delivery of a varied portfolio of research projects in the Netherlands and expanding into new areas of work.
• Co-ordinating, managing and supporting a portfolio of business development initiatives including supporting bid and proposal activity.
• Building networks and contacts with funders and collaborators in the Netherlands.

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.
• Helping ensure that RAND Europe’s research has a positive impact within policy communities and the wider world.
• Mentoring junior research staff and facilitating the development of others’ project management, leadership, analytical and methodological skills.

Requirements

• Excellent command of Dutch and English (spoken and written); ability to communicate complex findings clearly to policymakers.
• Ability to lead research projects, develop business, lead proposals and represent RAND in public and media engagements.
• Proven experience/expertise in and understanding of Dutch defence R&D and capability development, defence industry and acquisition, strategy and policy— and ideally NATO and wider European contexts.
• Experience of integrating multiple research and analysis methods as part of multi-method approaches to problem solving and/or policy research.
• Strong networks of professional connections across security, defence, and policy community in the Netherlands and further afield.
• 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.
• Strong project leadership / management experience, including experience of people management, stakeholder management and budgeting.
• Eligible for, and willing to obtain, relevant national (e.g., Dutch) and NATO security clearance where required as part of the role.
• Strong networks across the Dutch government, academic and research institutions, the armed forces and relevant national/international organisations.
• Additional language skills (e.g., German, Russian, Mandarin) and proficiency with data analytics/visualisation tools are not essential, but are considered assets.

Personal qualities

• Commercially astute, analytical thinker with the ability to see issues strategically and at a practical level from a variety of perspectives.
• Networking skills to build relationships, facilitate joint decision making and cultivate relationships with potential funders and collaborators.
• Hands-on, team player with a strong commitment to rigorous and high-quality research, public service and the ability to manage multiple projects and tasks, and work to tight deadlines.
• Enthusiastic about learning new skills, expanding your knowledge, and contributing to people development initiatives, such as training.

Benefits

Full-time members of the team enjoy a competitive salary and additionally benefit from the following:

• Pension - 9% employer contribution;
• 24 days holiday per annum + public holidays;
• Holiday pay (monthly);
• Annual salary review;
• Sick pay; (70% pay for sickness absence up to 104 weeks)
• Compassionate leave;
• Paid travel expenses;
• Home office expenses (if required) and home working allowance €2 per day;
• Flexible working hours;
• Learning and development opportunities;
• Employee wellbeing training;
• Service awards.

How to Apply

If you believe you are suited to the above role, please submit an application comprising of a CV and covering letter below.

If you have not been contacted within 30 days of application deadline, please assume your application has not been successful.