GI ACE Senior Research Communications Officer (UK Visa Sponsorship Available)

Job Description

About the GI ACE Programme

The Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence (GI ACE) Programme is a UK government-funded research initiative, supported by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), focused on producing rigorous evidence to inform anti-corruption policy and practice in developing countries. GI ACE operates alongside two sister programmes:

• SOC ACE (University of Birmingham-led)
• SOAS-ACE (SOAS, University of London-led)
• The programme’s research spans four key themes:

State Capture

• Global finance and enablers of corruption
• Crisis response and corruption in vulnerable sectors
• Corruption risks in global trade and commerce

Role Overview

The Senior Research Communications Officer will play a pivotal role in elevating the visibility and impact of GI ACE research. Reporting to the Director and working closely with the Deputy Director, Programme Manager, and research teams, you will:

• Develop and implement strategic communications across multiple platforms, ensuring complex research outputs are accessible to diverse audiences.
• Produce high-quality content, including briefing notes, reports, blogs, and multimedia outputs to showcase GI ACE’s research and impact.
• Coordinate and lead programme-level events, including in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats.
• Support results monitoring, reporting to donors, and programme accountability.
• Identify new opportunities for impact and influence in anti-corruption policy and practice.

Candidate Profile

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Proven experience in research communications, with the ability to translate technical material into clear, engaging messaging.
• Strong writing, editing, and content creation skills across multiple channels and media.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues and researchers.
• Familiarity with anti-corruption research, governance, or policy-related areas is highly desirable.
• Attention to detail and strategic thinking to maximize research visibility and policy impact.
• For guidance on research communications skills: UKRI – Research Communications

About the School

The role is based within the Centre for the Study of Corruption (CSC), part of the School of Law, Politics and Sociology (LPS) at the University of Sussex. The school hosts a vibrant research environment with:

• 20 faculty members and ~600 students
• Internationally recognized research centres such as the Sussex European Institute
• MSc programmes, including Corruption and Governance, both in-person and online

Why Work at Sussex

• Beautiful 150-acre campus near the South Downs, easily accessible by train and bus, with cycling paths and a cycle-to-work scheme.
• Collaborative, research-led environment with strong international engagement.
• Comprehensive staff benefits, including: pension schemes, on-site facilities, flexible working, and professional development.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The University of Sussex is committed to valuing diversity and promoting equality, and encourages applications from women, Black, Asian, and minority ethnic candidates, and underrepresented groups in STEMM and social sciences.

Visa Sponsorship

This role is eligible for sponsorship under the UK Skilled Worker Visa (SOC Code 2493: Public Relations Professionals). Eligibility depends on individual circumstances and the issued Certificate of Sponsorship.

How to Apply

Submit applications via the University of Sussex online portal.