Senior Fund Associate; XCEPT

About The Role General Summary

The Cross‑Border Conflict, Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme explores conflict‑affected borderlands, how conflicts connect across borders, the intersection of climate stresses and conflict, and the factors that shape violent and peaceful behaviour. Funded by UK International Development, XCEPT offers actionable research to inform policies and programmes that support peace.

XCEPT is the most ambitious conflict research programme ever undertaken by the UK Government. Bringing together world‑leading experts and local researchers from across the world, XCEPT's multidisciplinary approach focuses on the causes and consequences of conflict in some of the world’s hardest to reach places. XCEPT uses technology to complement traditional research methods, using satellite imagery and open‑source investigations together with traditional mixed‑methods research to better understand protracted conflicts in Africa, the Middle East, and South and Southeast Asia.

XCEPT’s approach includes a flexible and responsive £7 million Research Fund, managed by Chemonics UK, lead implementer of XCEPT.

XCEPT seeks applications from experienced Senior Associates to support the implementation of the XCEPT Research Fund (XRF). As a flexible commissioning platform, the XRF provides opportunities to grantees to undertake rigorous research on XCEPT’s core themes; to respond to emerging crises with new research and evidence; to pilot the use of new technologies, including satellite imagery and open‑source investigations; and to promote and support Global South researchers.

The Fund makes a range of awards, from major awards of £400,000 or more to develop a body of work as part of a multi‑year portfolio of research; down to smaller awards – up to £50,000 – to enable organisations and individual researchers to conduct quick‑turn evidence reviews or projects involving limited fieldwork.

The full‑time XCEPT Senior Fund Associate role offers an opportunity to contribute to the final year of the XCEPT programme, and to work closely with the XCEPT Research Fund & Uptake Director and XCEPT Fund Manager to support the development of impactful research, and the effective administration, monitoring, and compliance of the programme’s research grants.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Senior Fund Associate will support the implementation and close‑out of a dynamic portfolio of research projects that are scheduled to complete by December 2026, with programme completion at the end of February 2027. The role will support effective programme and financial management by contributing to risk tracking, performance monitoring, uptake of research outputs, and timely close‑out activities. The postholder will be responsible for working in line with XCEPT’s Research Fund Manual, FCDO contract terms and conditions, and any programme‑specific requirements, and for escalating compliance issues as appropriate.

• Support the implementation, monitoring, and close‑out of active XCEPT research awards, contributing to the delivery of contracted research outputs and supporting effective policy uptake within agreed timelines, including support for the October 2026 XCEPT Conference.
• Work closely with Research Managers to support project implementation, including risk tracking, delivery performance monitoring, financial compliance processes, and close‑out preparation.
• Act as an operational point of support for Research Managers and awardees, helping to identify, track, and resolve delivery, compliance, or contractual issues in a timely manner; escalating risks as appropriate.

• Support the financial implementation and close‑out of XCEPT Fund awards, working closely with the Finance team and other colleagues to help ensure compliance with FCDO financial rules and Chemonics requirements.
• Support the review of award budgets, budget modifications, and forecasts throughout implementation,…