As the capital of the United Kingdom, London is home to a large number of businesses and organizations with international operations. This makes it an ideal place to pursue a career in international relations.
There are a number of different types of employers in London that offer jobs in international relations. These include government agencies, multinational corporations, NGOs, think tanks, and more.
Chatam House
Chatam House, or the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a policy institute located in London working to ‘’provide authoritative commentary on world events and offer solutions to global challenges’’.
They work in five thematic programs- global economy and finance, global health security, energy, environment and resources, international security and international law. Chatam House works worldwide, including Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Russia and Eurasia, the Middle East and North Africa, and the US and American. Research is a big part of what they do, but they offer many different types of jobs-from events and project management to IT and communications.
International Institute for Strategic Studies
The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is the UK research institute working in the area of international affairs. They were established in 1997 with HQ in Arundel House in London and since then they have claimed around 2.500 individual members and 450 institutional and corporate members from more than 100 countries.
IIS provides objective research and information on international affairs and issues to diplomats and politicians, economists, the military, foreign affairs analysts, international businesses, defense commentators, academics, journalists and the general public. They employ researchers, analysts, digital media and graphic producers, editors and similar.
Center for Global Development
Center for Global Development (CGD) works to reduce global poverty by improving lives through economic research that influences adoption of better policy and practice by the world’s leading decision makers.
They have been focusing on global health policy, migration, displacement, humanitarian policy, sustainable development finance, technology, education, governments and development for the past 20 years. CGD’s work has had a measurable impact on the actions of development policy makers, from changing the conversation on development debt of China to proposing to build a full-service development finance institution. CGD often seeks motivated and qualified researchers and global policy experts to advance their program and research goals, as well as communications and outreach efforts.
Overseas Development Institute
Overseas Development Institute (ODI) is London based global think tank working to inspire people to act on inequality and injustice. They generate ideas that are important of people and planet through research, convening and influencing.
ODI works ‘’to deliver transformational change and bring back a global sense of resilient, just and equitable prosperity.’’ They are known for their research in program areas of climate and sustainability, development and public finance, digital societies, equity and social policy, gender equality and social inclusion, global resilience, humanitarian policy, international economic development, and politics and government. ODI employs policy, IT, HR, communications, research, and administrative professionals across all of their programs.
European Council on Foreign Relations
The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) is European think tank with offices in seven European capitals, including London. They were established in 2007 to conduct research on foreign European and security policy.
They provide a meeting space and forums for decision makers, activists and influences to share perspectives and ideas. ECFR promotes debate about Europe’s role in the world and builds coalitions for change at the European level. They employ around 60 staff across eight countries, including policy analysts, media experts, advocacy professionals and similar.
Royal United Services Institute
Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) is one of the world’s oldest and the UK’s leading security and security think tank. They were established in 1831 by the Duke of Wellington enhance public debate and help build a more stable and safer world.
RUSI is located at the heart of Whitehall in London, but also, they operate globally through their offices in Brussels and Nairobi. They employ ‘a young, multinational workforce consisting of research specialists and operations’ executives’. RUSI attracts both young researchers at the start of their careers as well as established experts.
Africa Research Institute
Africa Research Institute (ARI) is the only think tank in the UK that solely focuses their work on social, political and economic issues in sub-Saharan Africa.
ARI works to draw attention to successful policy outcomes in Africa by highlighting best practices in government, civil society and economy. They publish research and host interactive events, as well as encourage debate about the issues in sub-Saharan Africa. ARI employs researchers, policy analysts and consultants to contribute to their mission.
British Foreign Policy Group
The British Foreign Policy Group is an independent think tank located in London. They work to strengthen the UK’s international engagement by conducting dynamic research and organizing different events.
The core objective of their work is to bridge the link between the international and domestic spheres. They act as a ‘’connective tissue’’ between the UK’s institutions, policymakers, business and ordinary people, to advance an understanding necessary to underpin the UK’s global leadership in this century. The British Foreign Policy Group provides paid work experience and internship placements mainly in the area of research. Any opportunities will be posted on their website.
School of Global Affairs (King’s College London)
Being part of the King’s College London, the School of Global Affairs ‘’is a vibrant hub of multidisciplinary scholarship that seeks to address and resolve the most pressing issues facing our world today’’.
The school is composed of the Global Institutes (Lau China, India, Brazil and Menzies Australia) Departments of Geography, International Development and Global Health and Social Medicine, and the African Leadership Centre. They employ experts in the areas of climate change, global environmental governance, global health, cross border migration, and emerging politics and economies. Their staff is known for conducting research around the world, with both domestic and international partners.
Department of Politics and International Studies (SOAS University of London)
SOAS University of London is the only higher education institution in Europe specializing in the study of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Their Department of Politics and International studies was established in 1962 and, since then, it has grown to be one of the largest Departments at SOAS.
The Department’s teaching and research employs a critical approach to the study of international politics of the Global South, enabling students to deeply engage with the political realities of these parts of the world. They employ leading experts and researchers in these regions, as well as advisors, commentators and consultants to NGOs and government.