Description
This role sits in SONAC's Russia Team and reports to the Russia Team's Head (B1 / Grade 6). Established in 2020, SONAC (Secretary of State's Office of Net Assessment and Challenge) is a small and inclusive team at the heart of the MOD that provides independent advice to the Defence Secretary and senior MOD Officials.
SONAC uses structured methods such as net assessment, wargaming, red teaming, and strategic analysis to test and improve developing plans and strategies within the department, and to explore and develop areas MoD may be missing. SONAC also acts as a lightning rod for external thought into the department – commissioning research and hosting roundtables and conferences to bring new and fresh perspectives into MOD.
In this role you will contribute to delivering strategic analysis, net assessment, and challenge on Russia, Ukraine, and related issues.
You will:
- Contribute to, and in some cases lead, workstreams on Russia and Ukraine;
- Identify key issues for research, balancing long-term net assessment with shorter-term strategic analysis and challenge;
- Support colleagues in SONAC's other analytical teams through applying your Subject Matter Expertise;
- Support and challenge relevant teams in MoD (and x-HMG) as they develop workstreams, policies, and strategies on and relating to Russia and/or Ukraine;
- Collaborate with, and build effective relationships with, relevant teams x-HMG (in the policy, strategy, intelligence, and analysis communities);
- Liaise with key stakeholders outside HMG, including selected international engagement;
- Develop credibility in MoD, x-HMG, and externally as an expert on Russia and/or Ukraine;
- Have opportunities to support or represent the team in meetings in MoD and x-HMG, including with Ministers and Defence Chiefs.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate their experience and skills against the following Essential Criteria:
- Be an expert on either Russia, Ukraine and/or the UK's policies or strategies toward Russia and/or Ukraine;
- Be interested in international security, strategy, or defence issues;
- Have a track record of producing all-source assessment and/or analysis, or advice on Russia/Ukraine topics to senior decision makers, whether within government or outside (e.g., in academia or think tanks);
- Have excellent drafting skills, and an ability to translate deep/technical detail into concise strategic-level implications;
- Be an excellent communicator and be confident in engaging at senior levels across and outside government;
- Be a strong collaborator, and have, or be able to build, effective networks across and outside government on Russia and Russia-related issues;
- Be able to prioritise and manage a broad portfolio of work to deliver high-quality products, often at pace;
- Be willing to embrace a 'challenge mindset' through application of Subject Matter Expertise and structured analytical techniques.
Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Benefits include:
- Learning and development tailored to your role;
- An environment with flexible working options;
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity;
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.