The Royal Society is the independent scientific academy of the UK, dedicated to recognising, promoting and supporting excellence in science and encouraging the development and use of science for the benefit of humanity. It is a self-governing Fellowship of many of the world’s most distinguished scientists drawn from all areas of science, engineering and medicine.

International activities are embedded across the work of the Society. They feature within many of the Society’s core programmes and targeted activities are led principally by the International Affairs, Grants, Science Policy and Scientific Programmes teams.

The Society is committed to international work that benefits science and science that informs diplomacy, while always putting scientific excellence and integrity first and retaining the Society’s independence. We also recognise that it is vital to balance legitimate concerns around national security while still enabling international collaborations to take place.  This role sits at the centre of balancing these twin imperatives of global collaboration and national security.

With significant knowledge and a real enthusiasm for science and international affairs, the post holder will join a small International Affairs team of nine, but will work across the Society, including building close relationships with colleagues in Grants, Fellowship and Governance, Science Policy, Scientific Meetings and beyond.  

This post will lead the Society’s work in assessing and managing the risks and regulatory implications around our international work, including our partnerships with key countries, our governance processes, and our international grant work.  A key part of this will be focusing on national security risks and the implications of the relevant legislation and programmes, for example the UK’s National Security and Investment Act, Foreign Influence Registration Scheme, and Trusted Research campaign.

The role holder will also work flexibly on a number of projects, often in cross-sectional teams involving external partners, whilst also contributing to the work of the section as a whole. The postholder will be expected to hold relevant experience of working on international risk and/or regulatory compliance issues, ideally in a higher education or research environment.

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Reports to: Head of International Affairs (Americas, International Organisations and Africa)

Line manages: N/A

Pay band: E

Salary: £51,250

Contract type: Full-Time Permanent  

Hours: 35

Location: Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG plus the option for some hybrid remote working
Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 23 June 2025

Interviews will be held: WC 14 July 2025

• Lead the Royal Society’s approach to national security risk management and other international risk and regulatory requirements, including advising on and coordinating cross-Society activities on this topic
• Produce and regularly update an assessment of the Society’s exposure to international risks arising from our grants portfolio and international partnerships
• Implement a programme of audits and reviews of key Society international activity and develop processes and internal procedures to monitor risks.
• Advise senior staff and the Royal Society’s leadership on our international risks and possible mitigations, particularly those linked to UK legislation and Government advice.
• Develop and maintain expertise around UK government regulations and legislative activity, including the Trusted Research programme
• Deliver a system of assurance around national security related due diligence conducted by Royal Society funding partners, focused particularly on our international grant programmes
• Work closely with colleagues in International Affairs who lead on the Trusted Research programme and ensure the Society implements best practice guidance.
• Monitor developments in international risk and regulatory policy, horizon scanning to producing regular briefings and updates for Fellows and colleagues
• Ensure the case is regularly made of the benefits and opportunities arising from safe and secure international scientific cooperation
• Organising meetings and events, preparing agendas, background papers, presentations and minutes
• Leading on projects and larger programmes, ensuring they are delivered on time, on budget and in scope
• Building and maintaining a wide network of contacts and databases
• Promoting the importance of risk and regulatory work across the Society, including within key delivery and policy teams
• Contributing to other activities within the Royal Society as required
• Management of additional staff members as required

• Knowledge and experience of international risk and/or regulatory compliance issues, ideally in a higher education or research environment. (essential)                                                                          
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to write for a variety of audiences
• Strategic thinking and the ability to communicate strategic priorities with nuance and clarity
• Able to convey complex and sensitive information and ideas effectively
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage conflicting deadlines
• Ability to use own initiative and contribute new ideas
• Ability to work effectively in a team and interact with people at all levels of seniority

Circumstances

Able to be flexible about working hours and undertake travel on occasions

Personal qualities

• A proactive self-starter, who is open and curious about issues in international science and able to draw on this to seize opportunities and improve performance
• A confident communicator, who acts with honesty, integrity, professionalism, manages expectations and considers wider political, social and cultural contexts
• An adaptive and resilient team player, able to plan, deliver and prioritise under pressure, proposes solutions to problems that take account of risks and how to manage them

Pay Band E – Role Descriptor and Competencies

At Band E you will hold a role as a manager, senior specialist or professional in your field. Pay Band E roles are described in the following dimensions:

Decision-making – You organise and undertake a wide range of projects and specialist/professional tasks. You provide input to policy development and/or professional standards or approaches for others to use. You take decisions or make recommendations within broad policies and guidelines. Guidance is available for agreeing on priorities/resources and in reconciling cross- functional issues.

Thinking challenges - Specialist issues require you to apply creative solutions to solve problems.  You identify and implement new ways to of working to improve performance, policies or procedures, based on a combination of theory, your experience and applying your initiative and creativity. 

Communication – You maintain professional relationships on behalf of The Royal Society; and may be responsible for developing new professional relationships on behalf of the organisation, persuading or advising colleagues, external representatives or members in a wide range of circumstances.  You may be required to represent Royal Society externally in networking activities or in third party relationships.

Developing people – You have formal management responsibility for managing a team. You may also be a leading expert in your field of work, and whilst you may have no direct management responsibility, you will focus on delivering results through providing specialist advice, coaching, training, project managing and otherwise guiding and coordinating the work or contribution of others.

Managing Resources – You may have delegated budget, income generation targets or provide input to budgetary or other resource planning.

Applying knowledge & expertise - You possess managerial and professional expertise that enables you to manage an important area of work and look beyond the horizons of your own specialism.

The competency levels for a pay Band E role are described below.