Advisers
Experienced professionals providing independent advice, perspective and connections to support the long-term development of CISES.
What are Strategic Advisers?
CISES Strategic Advisers are experienced professionals who provide independent counsel to the Centre for International Security and Economic Strategy as an institution. They help senior leadership think through opportunities, challenges and decisions involved in developing a growing international policy organisation.
The role is deliberately broad. Strategic Advisers are appointed for the experience, judgement, perspective and networks they can bring to CISES rather than to fill fixed departmental positions.
An adviser may contribute insight drawn from organisational leadership, finance, operations, fundraising, governance, communications, partnerships, technology, academia, public policy, government, industry, the non-profit sector or another relevant professional background.
Institutional, not programme-level.
Strategic Advisers support the development of CISES as an organisation. A separate programme-level advisory position focused on subject expertise and researcher mentorship will be established in the future to help shape how our research targets professional audiences.
How advisers can contribute
There is no single model of contribution. We work with each Strategic Adviser according to their professional experience, interests and availability.
Strategic judgement
Provide an experienced external perspective on institutional priorities, opportunities, challenges and longer-term development.
Organisational advice
Advise on areas relevant to their experience, from operations and finance to governance, fundraising, communications, technology or organisational growth.
Networks & relationships
Where appropriate, help CISES strengthen relationships across academia, government, industry, civil society, philanthropy and the wider international policy community.
Opportunities & introductions
Identify potential partnerships, collaborators, supporters or opportunities and facilitate relevant introductions where useful and appropriate.
Review & challenge
Offer constructive challenge on major institutional initiatives and help leadership test assumptions before important decisions are made.
Convening & engagement
Where mutually useful, participate in selected discussions, roundtables, events or other activities connected to their professional expertise.
Who we are looking for
We are interested in people who can materially strengthen CISES as it develops.
CISES welcomes expressions of interest and recommendations concerning experienced professionals from a wide range of sectors and career paths. We do not prescribe a particular profession, title or institutional background.
We particularly value individuals who combine strong professional experience with sound strategic judgement, constructive independence and networks relevant to CISES’s development and international work.
Professional depth
Substantial experience that can inform the development of a growing policy institution.
Independent perspective
A willingness to offer candid, constructive advice rather than simply lend a name to the organisation.
Institutional reach
Relationships and sector knowledge that can help CISES build meaningful connections and identify opportunities.
These are guiding considerations rather than formal eligibility criteria. Appointments are considered holistically according to what an individual can contribute and CISES’s evolving institutional needs.
Founding Strategic Advisers
We are currently establishing our inaugural group of Strategic Advisers.
CISES is inviting experienced professionals to help strengthen the organisation behind our research. Founding appointments will be announced on this page as they are confirmed.
We welcome both direct expressions of interest and recommendations of individuals whose experience, judgement or networks could make a meaningful contribution to CISES.
What the role involves
Strategic Adviser appointments are voluntary and designed to accommodate people with substantial existing professional commitments. There is no fixed written-output requirement and advisers are not expected to participate in CISES’s day-to-day management.
- Periodic consultation according to the adviser’s expertise and availability.
- Advice on relevant institutional questions, opportunities or major initiatives.
- Introductions or relationship-building where appropriate and at the adviser’s discretion.
- Optional participation in selected internal discussions, events or roundtables.
- Initial appointments normally lasting two years, with renewal by mutual agreement.
How an individual adviser contributes will vary. The purpose is to create a useful relationship, not a ceremonial title or a uniform workload.
Independence & governance
Strategic Advisers serve in a non-executive and non-governing capacity. They are not directors, trustees or employees of CISES and do not exercise management, fiduciary or editorial authority on behalf of the organisation.
Advisers are appointed for their individual expertise and perspective. Membership does not imply that an adviser endorses every publication, argument, policy recommendation or activity undertaken by CISES. Equally, views expressed by an adviser in a personal or professional capacity do not necessarily represent CISES.
Relevant conflicts of interest should be disclosed where they concern an issue on which an adviser is providing advice. CISES may review or conclude an appointment where continued association would create a material conflict, legal concern or reputational risk.
Interested in contributing?
We welcome expressions of interest from experienced professionals, as well as recommendations from people who know someone particularly well suited to the role.
For an expression of interest, briefly introduce your current or recent professional experience, the perspective you could bring to CISES and any areas in which you would be particularly interested in advising. A CV, professional biography or LinkedIn profile is welcome.
For a recommendation, send the individual’s name, current or recent position and a short explanation of why you believe they could contribute to CISES. Please do not share private contact information without their permission.
Alexander Anderson
President & Director of Policy
alexander.anderson@cises.org
Expressions of interest and recommendations are considered selectively and do not constitute an application process or guarantee appointment.