Apply: ISI Summer Programme Assistant JobDadline: 2 FEBR

The Cambridge Security Initiative will again be running its 4-week ISI Programme

Sunday 5 July – Saturday 1 August 2026 at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.

The Programme is highly regarded and attracts an international cohort of well-qualified

undergraduate, graduate, and professional participants studying and working in the fields of

security, intelligence, and international relations. ISI also hosts a two-day conference entitled

‘National Security in a Changing World’ which examines in more detail many of the key issues

explored during the Programme. The conference welcomes delegates from academia, politics and

government agencies.

Programme Ambassadors (PAs) form the Operations Team. PAs welcome students; help them

find their feet in Cambridge; provide administrative support to the Academic Directors, the

Operations Manager, and supervisors; attend and provide support for social activities; assist in the

organisation and coordination of the conference; and provide practical guidance on day-to-day

matters and basic pastoral support to the participants.

More about the ISI Programme and Conference can be found here:

https://thecsi.org.uk/international-security-and-intelligence-isi-programme/

Responsible to: The Programme Directors and Operations Manager

Right to Work: Applicants must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.

Location: Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where PAs will be provided with an en suite room,

breakfast Sunday – Friday and Formal Hall on two or three nights/week. They will have access to

kitchen facilities in College.

Duration and Hours of Work: The employment period will run from 12:00hrs on Sunday 5th July

2026 to 12:00hrs on Saturday 1nd August, 2026. There are no set hours of work, however, it is

envisaged that PAs will work an average of 30hrs/week, with the actual hours varying from week

to week. Occasionally, PAs will be required to work in the evening and at weekends. The hourly

rate will be not less than £14/hour. (in addition to accommodation, breakfast and some evening

meals).

Skills and Experience:

• Excellent communication skills.

• Good organisational and time-management skills.

• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines.

• Ability to work as part of a team and interact effectively with students from a wide range of

backgrounds.

• Prior experience in a similar role is not required but would be advantageous.

• Interest or knowledge of the programme subject is useful but not required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• PAs will begin work 2 days before the start of the Programme to assist with pre-arrival work

(e.g. making student and staff welcome packs, stocking the shared kitchens with utensils, designing

the PAs work rota, organising first week activities, making notice boards, etc.).

• PAs will play a lead role on the arrival day, welcoming participants to Cambridge, helping them

to check-in, answering queries and running orientation tours of the College and Cambridge.

During the first week of the Programme, PAs will continue to run orientation tours and activities

appropriate to helping students get to know their surroundings and each other.

• PAs will attend special Programme events, such as Formal Dinners, special lectures and cultural

trips, and in addition will help to organise a daily programme of extra-curricular activities. This

includes devising an appropriate method of communicating activities to participants and a sign-up

system, adhering to health and safety requirements, and keeping accurate registers of names. Where

participants are required to pay an event fee, the PAs will collect these fees and remit them to the

Operations Manager with accurate records. PAs will be expected to use their initiative and

knowledge of Cambridge, and of the UK, to suggest activities and places to visit.

• PAs will assist with pre-organised activities and excursions, e.g., a day trip to London. If

requested, PAs may also assist participants in making their own plans to travel independently,

particularly at weekends.

• PAs will act as the first point of contact with participants for the Programme Director and

Operations Manager and will report any concerns about health, safety and welfare immediately.

• Throughout the Programme, PAs will set up and take down teaching rooms, as required, and

provide administrative support to academic staff (e.g., photocopying).

• At the end of the Programme, PAs will assist with the checking-out of participants - e.g.,

collecting in Emmanuel College property and clearing offices, classrooms, etc.

• PAs may be assigned certain specific responsibilities, e.g., for library liaison or special lecture coordination

and such other duties as may from time to time be required by the Programme Director,

the Academic Directors, or the Operations Manager.

How to apply:

Kindly submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter that includes a detailed account of your relevant

work experience, the contributions you can make to this role, and your motivation for applying.

Additionally, please provide the contact information of a referee who may be contacted for a

reference.

Send your application to: isioperations@thecsi.org.uk with aknight@thecsi.org.uk cc-ed in.

Interviews will be held in March/April.