Senior Research Analyst: Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa

£53,500 (London), £50,250 (Milton Keynes), £48,500 (East Kilbride)

Location: London, East Kilbride or Milton Keynes

With around 17,000 staff in our global network of 281 offices worldwide, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is responsible for the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work. We want to build a healthier, safer and more prosperous world, not only for our own residents, but for people across every continent. As such, it is imperative that we have access to the most exceptional research and analysis – which is where you come in.

Your role with us

As a Senior Research Analyst, you will provide an in-depth insight into Anglophone West Africa, with a particular focus on Nigeria and Ghana. As the leading expert on these countries and the wider region, you will be tasked with supporting ministerial offices, policy colleagues, the senior Africa Directorate leadership and the Office of Conflict Stabilisation and Mediation, with timely insight into occurrences and topics of interest. There will be the opportunity to travel to maintain your in-depth knowledge of everything from upstream threats through to open society issues including developments in political parties and civil society, plus any upcoming elections.  We will expect you to provide policy advice to your colleagues, plus regional insight to departments across Whitehall and (with permission) our allies, so you will be comfortable challenging perceived knowledge where relevant. Whether advising colleagues one-on-one, creating standalone research papers or delivering expert seminars and briefings, you will see to it that your analysis is underpinned by concrete evidence. We will provide you with access to a broad array of FCDO and open sources, but we will also look to you to expand our knowledgebase by extending your own network. Connecting with the wider research analysis community and academic centres of expertise, you will attend conferences and think-tank events, and you will be well-versed in HMG-funded research.

Who we’re looking for

With a relevant degree or post-graduate qualification and significant Nigeria/West Africa-related research and analysis experience, we will expect you to have a deep knowledge of regional and international relations, security and politics. Specifically, you will be deeply interested in the region’s electoral and party-based political processes, plus their security initiatives and responses. As you will be entrusted with working with internal government materials, you will be discreet and tactful, with excellent influencing and communication skills.  You will have the capacity to manage multiple projects with stringent deadlines, so, good organisational skills are essential. Crucially, you will enjoy the challenge of delivering insight in a fast-paced policy environment, and you will be a team player who is capable of making effective decisions under pressure.

Join us in this fascinating work, and you will not only find a great career path, but the chance to embrace meaningful work. We can offer you the chance to develop your skills in a friendly and inclusive environment, further enhanced by a generous benefits package that includes a Civil Service pension. So, bring your passion for research to our team, and help us make effective decisions that will lead to a better and more settled world.