Course Design & Delivery Lead

Job summary

Founded in 1927 and based in the heart of London, the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS) is the senior college within the UK Defence Academy. Every year, RCDS educates more than 100 senior military officers, diplomats, civilian officials, parliamentarians and industry leaders from nearly 50 countries in the art and science of strategy-making and leadership. We are now looking for a new member of the Directing Staff to join our Global Strategy Programme design and delivery team.

The Global Strategy Programme (GSP) is an 11-month course, which concentrates on the wide range of factors that relate to national, regional and global stability, security and prosperity at the grand strategic level. The purpose of the course is to equip graduates with greater understanding of the international strategic context, to be skilled in strategic analysis and strategy formulation, and to be able to work intuitively across national, cultural and ideological boundaries so as to lead or contribute to developing strategy at the highest level.

Reporting to the Head of the GSP, the Directing Staff comprises 9 positions working across the College’s output areas. We are responsible for designing a stimulating programme, and we work closely across Whitehall, the UK, and internationally, to facilitate the delivery of world-renowned strategy education.

If you are a team player, intellectually curious, highly organised and collaborative, and enjoy working in a fast-paced, cosmopolitan environment, this course design and delivery role could be for you.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

As one of six SEO Directing Staff (DS), each Course Design & Delivery Lead has a variable and interchangeable portfolio which covers the detailed design, delivery and programming of elements of the GSP across an academic year, under the guidance of SCS or military Senior Directing Staff.

The portfolio includes responsibility for planning major course components including seminars, lectures, strategy case studies, strategic leadership talks, study visits both in the UK and overseas, and strategy exercises (week-long dynamic role-play political simulation events).

You will undertake independent research, analysis and engagement across Whitehall and academia to identify new intellectual approaches, build new partnerships and drive innovation in the design of course components. You will lead on the detailed drafting of lecture specifications and the identification and arrangement of suitable external expert speakers from the world’s best universities, think tanks, journalism, NGOs, international organisations, governments and the private sector. You will oversee those course elements you design and be responsible for the administration and logistics for the day-to-day running of the course. You will also assess feedback from Members (students) and staff to inform future planning. Please note,this is not a teaching role.

Working closely with external organisations such as NGOs, private sector companies, military units, local government, embassies and high commissions, you will also have a leading role in the planning, project management, governance, practical organisation and delivery of educational study tours such as:

• EU and NATO (Brussels);

• UN and IGOs (Geneva);

• UK industry and technology centres;

• A UK Study Tour;

• A three-week Overseas Study Tour (OST) to 2 or 3 different countries in specific regions (e.g. Middle East, West Africa, Europe, or East Asia).

In executing an OST, you will undertake three weeks of detached duty each May/June, working very long days, which could be in a challenging or austere environment. The OSTs are one of the most rewarding aspects of the GSP.

Main Responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of the Head of the GSP, to lead on the delivery of a designated course module of the GSP. Draft the relevant documentation for Course Committee approval, plan the structure of the modules and produce the module programme, being cognisant of emerging trends and issues that need to be covered. You will also liaise with the Course Committee and the Director of Academic Studies to agree seminar topics and questions.

• To research, identify and engage high-calibre subject matter expert speakers to meet the objectives for the term/module lectures, panels and case studies. Ensure seamless delivery of these serials. Pro-actively build and maintain a network of contacts, and work both collaboratively and inclusively.

• Agree questions with the Deputy Head of the GSP for the weekly Course Member surveys and, on completion of the surveys, review and assess feedback to inform the continuous improvement process of the entire course.

• Plan, deliver and accompany UK external activities. Programme all serials, and book and oversee budget for travel and accommodation, liaising with the Tour Leader and the regional hosts to ensure seamless delivery of the tour programme within the allocated budget.

• Plan, deliver and accompany one of the three-week Overseas Study Tours. Work closely with embassies and high commissions to develop the visit objectives, intellectual content and programme, project manage and accompany the tour to meet learning objectives, acting as the focal point with all external organisations. Identify potential costs and ensure the tour remains within the agreed budget.

• Other responsibilities as required. These could include developing and ensuring the successful delivery of Strategy Case Studies, Strategy Exercises or additional classroom or visit-based learning for the current GSP and future iterations.

Person specification

The post holder will require the following attributes and abilities:

• A minimum of 3 years’ professional experience in a relevant field.

• Excellent interpersonal skills in order to liaise credibly with course members, lecturers (academics and high-profile speakers), defence attachés, diplomats and external organisations, both within the College and when representing the RCDS during external visits.

• The ability to work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, maintaining positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to negotiate and influence senior stakeholders to help shape GSP outputs and outcomes.

• Knowledge of (and a keen interest in) the wider government, military and geopolitical landscape.

• Strong administrative, organisational and planning skills, with a demonstrated ability to deliver outcomes on time, to the required standard, and in a fast-paced environment.

• A proven ability to write effectively, and present complex information clearly, to non-technical audiences.

• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity.

• A commitment to undertake continuous professional development relevant to the role, and to contribute to the learning and development of the team as a whole.

• The ability to travel nationally and internationally for up to three weeks at a time.

• Due to the nature of the course, the post is an in-person role based in central London, at the Royal College of Defence Studies. The Royal College of Defence Studies is housed in a historically significant, listed building. Due to its protected status, limited structural modifications can be made to the premises. This means that, although a small lift is available, the building is not fully accessible for individuals who may have certain access requirement