Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, is a world-leading, independent policy institute and a trusted forum for debate and dialogue. Based in London, for more than 100 years our research and ideas have helped people to understand a rapidly changing world. As a global think tank, our mission is to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world. We pursue this mission through dialogue, analysis and delivering solutions-based ideas.

Now in our second century, Chatham House has an ambitious goal to prepare the next generation of thinkers to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Our Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership and the Next Generation (QEII Academy), established in 2014 and opened by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, develops future policy makers and drives positive change in world affairs by equipping future leaders with the knowledge, skills and networks to make a lasting, positive impact on international affairs.

Blue Whale Growth Fund Leadership Masterclass Programme

The Academy is now accepting applications for the Blue Whale Growth Fund Leadership Masterclass Programme stream.

The Blue Whale Growth Fund Leadership Masterclass Programme application stream is open to applicants who are working for UK-registered charities with a minimum annual expenditure of £5 million over each of the past three years. This opportunity supports professionals working in the charity sector to undertake training that will enable them to develop as better and more effective leaders in their fields.

Established in 2017, the Leadership Masterclass Programme at the QEII Academy aims to build the capacity of early to mid-career professionals from a wide range of professional backgrounds including government, business, education and not-for-profit. Participants in the nine-month, part-time programme have the opportunity to engage and build their capacity for independent thinking on global policy issues and leadership by participating in a variety of regular sessions and activities, all held at Chatham House with world-class experts. They also have the opportunity to develop a network with other like-minded individuals, all with the support of a professional career coach.

Participants joining the programme come from a wide range of professional backgrounds including government, business, academia and not-for-profit. They will have the opportunity to engage and build their capacity for independent thinking on global policy issues and leadership by participating in a variety of regular sessions including thematic sessions, leadership briefings and workshops, all held at Chatham House with world-class experts. They also have the opportunity to develop a network with other like-minded individuals, all with the support of a professional career coach.

Participants will participate in weekly workshops and sessions in the 9-month programme to be held on Thursdays from early October 2026 through the end of June 2027. Sessions will take place in-person at Chatham House on Thursdays. Most weeks, the total time commitment will be 1.5-3 hours, although some weeks will have multiple and longer sessions, totalling no more than 6 hours. The programme will be released on a quarterly basis so that participants can plan their time.

Participants will join/receive:

• Workshops and training to develop key skills

• Leadership Briefings from a diverse range of global leaders

• Personal development and career coaching

• Media training

• Networking opportunities, including with Chatham House staff, the Academy’s faculty and alumni

• Full Chatham House membership and access to Chatham House events

Selection criteria

The successful candidates will:

• Meet the eligibility requirements (see above);

• Be based in London, and able to attend in-person workshops in London on one day a week (usually Thursdays) for the duration of the programme;

• Be professionals at an early- to mid-stage in their career;

• Show strong potential to excel in their industry or field, with proven leadership experience or potential;

• Work in, or aspire to work in, positions requiring strong understanding of public policy and influencing policy internationally;

• Show commitment to the Chatham House mission, goals and values and to identifying evidence-based solutions to some of the world’s most pressing international challenges;

• Be able to communicate how the Leadership Programme will enable them to create positive impact, in line with the Chatham House mission as outlined above;

• Demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.

Location: London

Closing Date: Friday 10 July 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are therefore advised to apply early. You will be notified of the status of your application within 4 weeks of the role closing.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics. We encourage applications from all backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience or support you, please get in touch at Academy@chathamhouse.org

Please note: We screen candidates anonymously. We will not see your personal information before your application has been moved forward in the process. Please exclude any personal or identifiable information in your application answers including your personal statement.

The Job Description as outlined above will not be available once the closing date has passed. Please ensure you keep a copy for your own record.