Senior Analysts (x3), Counter Terrorism Unit

About the job

This is an exciting opportunity to join RICU's (Research, Information, Communications, Unit) Knowledge Hub in the Counter-Radicalisation and Enablers Unit. We are recruiting for three senior analysts to work in RICU's Knowledge Hub:

2 x CT Senior Analyst (News and Analysis)

We are looking for motivated senior analysts to join our News and Analysis Team and deliver outstanding insights to advise on strategic, operational and policy decision making.

1 x CT Senior Analyst (Data and Innovation)

The Data and Innovation Team's primary focus is understanding and evidencing terrorist use of the internet. The team provides expert advice underpinned by robust analysis to advise policy development and the wider CT network. Candidates should have a curiosity about online platforms, technology, and AI, and exploring how terrorists may exploit these to disseminate propaganda and radicalise others online.

About us:

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair, and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counterterrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration, and passports.

Homeland Security Group's (HSG) mission is to reduce homeland security risks to the UK's people, prosperity, and freedoms. This includes risks from terrorism, state threats, economic crime, and cyber-crime. We provide systems leadership across government and deliver strategic initiatives, working closely with operational partners, the Intelligence Agencies and other external organisations to protect the UK.

A unique Home Office team that informs the UK's Counter Terrorism (CT) community on terrorist use of propaganda and the role the online ecosystem plays in radicalisation. The Counter-Radicalisation and Enablers Unit sits in the Prevent Directorate within HSG and supports a number of strategies that deliver against CONTEST objectives.

The RICU Knowledge Hub is an insight and research-led team responsible for developing and delivering the evidence-base for Prevent interventions in support of counter-terrorism priorities. The overarching aim of Prevent is to reduce the risk to the UK, its citizens, and its interests overseas from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

The RICU Knowledge Hub comprises three distinct but complementary teams (Research, News & Analysis and Data & Innovation), who produce analysis and research to inform customers across Prevent teams, as well as the broader national security community.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Conduct and oversee analysis and research to identify and determine themes and narratives as to how terrorists exploit the online ecosystem. Analyse how content resonates with audiences and communicate clear, accessible insight on radicalisation risks.
• Present research and analysis in order to inform, drive and refine policy and delivery. You will present your findings to colleagues and cross-Whitehall partners and be consistently innovative in seeking out new ways to convey your analysis.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the cross-Whitehall CT community. Work with academia and commercial partners to design and lead external research and ensure our analysis remains innovative and delivering for our priority policy and operational customers. Develop and maintain personal subject-matter expertise. Make time for ongoing professional development through participation in academic forums, in the UK and internationally, sharing learning with others and building capability.
• Maintain a strong horizon scanning capability. Identifying and responding to emerging radicalisation risks, including for example supporting HM Government's response to Violence Fascinated Individuals (VFI) and exploring links between state threats, terrorism and extremism.
• Provide high-quality out-of-hours analysis in response to terrorism or national security related incidents, working closely with Homeland Security Operations to feed into ministerial briefings and ensuring 24/7 cover when a situation demands. The role includes providing 'on-call' support, approximately one weekend every two months.
• It will be necessary to work flexibly and contribute to other areas to support the wider efforts and priorities of Homeland Security as required, performing additional duties expected within the scope of the grade. Due to the nature of our work, it may be necessary to redeploy you to other critical roles, or priority work at your grade.

Travel: The successful candidate may be expected to travel to other work locations. Occasional international travel may be required based on business need. All related costs will be reimbursed in line with Home Office policy.

Training: Successful candidates will be expected to complete a six-week training course, entitled 'The New Analyst Programme (NAP)'.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Demonstrated ability of advanced research skills or practical experience applying analysis and research to inform decision making. To confidently gather and synthesise multiple sources of information and reconcile competing, disputed evidence.
• Evidence of working on counterterrorism, counter-extremism, or related issues, including engaging with academia, industry partners and/or strategic communicators. Additionally, an understanding of the role online communications plays in radicalisation, and how online platforms and communications channels can be exploited to meet terrorist objectives would be a distinct advantage.
• Be an active and supportive team member, demonstrating care for other's wellbeing, and building a supportive culture and collaborative relationships across teams and with external stakeholders.
• An ability to convey complex messages both verbally and in writing, taking account of the needs of a variety of customers and wider stakeholders, and accurately explain the limitations of analysis.
• Ability to adapt working styles in a demanding environment. This will be demonstrated through previous work in fast-paced environments, responding to new developments and priorities with limited notice.

Desirable criteria

• Subject matter expertise in Islamist or Extreme Right-Wing terrorism is highly desirable. Experience in analysis, research, or communications within a CT or CE context, and confidence interpreting and visualising complex data is particularly welcome.
• Experience capturing CT-focused research needs, conducting qualitative research, and commissioning projects via academic or commercial partners. Applied research in policy or strategic comms settings is highly valued. GCS or GSR membership should be noted in your application.

For more information on the role, our benefits and the application process, please click the apply link.

Closing date: 10 th August 2025.