Job Description

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) is the UK’s leading independent thinktank. Our pioneering research and ideas have shaped progressive policy making for more than three decades. From making the early case for the minimum wage and taking regional inequality to the top of the political agenda, to proposing a windfall tax on energy companies, our research and policy work has put forward practical solutions for the crises facing society - to enable justice, progress and change.

At the start of 2024 IPPR launched an international programme. That programme is now expanding, at a critical geopolitical moment. The competition, conflict and instability that was already a feature of the international landscape over the last few years has shifted to a different level. Nothing – who holds power, who allies with whom, the ‘rules of the game’, the absence of great power military conflict – can be taken for granted. The previous ‘Western’ led, ‘rules-based’ order is disintegrating, and along with it the structures and norms which have underpinned international cooperation over the last decades, constraining the most powerful, and giving some voice to the poorest and most marginalized.

IPPR’s international programme seeks to add a distinctive perspective to the international policy debate in the UK at this time. It aims to bring substantive international policy expertise, but based on progressive values and with deep political insight, understanding how international policy decisions link to UK domestic political projects.

Researchers, policy thinkers and changemakers often say that their work is vital ‘now, more than ever’. But in this case, it really is the time - more than in many decades – to work to give progressive policymakers the confidence and the ideas to navigate this ‘world between orders’. IPPR’s international programme seeks to do exactly this.

The programme has worked across three areas to date: the UK’s relationships with the countries of the ‘global south’; the role of international economic policy in supporting UK growth; and the UK’s geopolitical position and choices in this moment of global upheaval. The programme is now deepening its work in these three areas and is creating several new roles as a result.

About the role

This is a critical, senior role within IPPR’s International team, leading the work stream on geopolitics. You will conduct and oversee IPPR’s geopolitical research, generating compelling analysis and policy recommendations which help the UK to navigate this deeply difficult international moment.

This is an opportunity to use your deep research abilities to create compelling insight and policy proposals, and advocate for those ideas with political insight and top-quality communication skills, so that they are taken up and create real world change. You will represent your ideas and the Institute at the highest levels with policymakers and in the media.

About you

You will have deep expertise in geopolitics, including applied to UK public policy, and will be comfortable building new areas of knowledge, sometimes at pace. An experienced researcher and innovative, analytical thinker, with a deep understanding of UK political dynamics, you will also have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and experience of written and broadcast media.

You will be a self-starter who is driven and effective, and who is comfortable juggling different tasks and workstreams. You will also be a collaborative team player, who will relish helping to build a positive, collective culture in our international team. You will have a clear commitment to the goals and values of IPPR.

IPPR is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all sections of the community, and from applicants with a range of professional and lived experiences. As an organisation engaging in critical debate about a wide range of progressive policy issues, we value the creativity and range of perspectives that a diverse team can provide.

This post will be based in our London office, right at the heart of Westminster, with staff expected to be in the office at least 40 per cent of their working hours. As part of our commitment to flexible working we will consider a range of options for the successful applicant to fill the post, including job-share or part-time working. All options can be discussed at interview stage.

How to apply

For further information and full details on how to apply, please download the information pack here.

We’d be grateful if you could also complete our equality and diversity monitoring form

Closing date for applications: 9am on Tuesday 26August.

Interviews will take place in our London office on Tuesday 9September.