Position: Researcher or Senior Researcher, Research and Data Team
Location: Remote
Status: Full-time
The Sentry seeks an initiative-taking and hard-working Researcher or Senior Researcher to join our Research and Data Team in the Investigations Department. They will report to the Investigations Manager and play a crucial role in supporting investigations and strengthening investigative tools and methodologies across programs to hold accountable transnational predatory networks that finance conflict, fund kleptocracies, and destroy the environment. This includes rigorous research for investigations that tell compelling stories, identify perpetrators, reveal systemic challenges, and provide scope for policy action, as well as developing follow-on products from investigations.
Key Responsibilities:
-Open-Source Research and Analysis: Conduct extensive open-source research across various platforms, including the open web, corporate registries, governmental databases, and social media, to uncover and analyze complex data for investigations into kleptocratic networks and illicit financial flows, with a focus on natural resource extraction and state capture.
-Fact Checking and Publication Review: Serve as the primary fact checker for all published products at The Sentry, ensuring accuracy and mitigating legal risks.
-Network Mapping and Database Management: Utilize open-source resources to map networks of individuals and entities for ongoing investigations in a graph database, improving The Sentry’s institutional knowledge and supporting investigative efforts.
-Information Sharing Package Drafting: Draft and edit information sharing package for government authorities, such as sanctions offices, foreign offices, multilateral institutions, and law enforcement, and data sharing packages to share data from The Sentry’s reports with its private sector partners.
-Data Team Support: Utilize and provide feedback on new AI-based tools and workflows, identify new data sets for internal graph databases, and support The Sentry’s capacity building with partner organizations in data-centric investigations, use of databases, and investigative methodology.
-Hiring and Team Development: Foster a culture of mentorship and knowledge transfer within the organization by overseeing the internship program and providing comprehensive training to interns and new hires.
-Grant Proposal Development and Fundraising: Collaborate with the team to develop compelling grant proposals and secure funding from various sources, including government agencies and private foundations, to support The Sentry’s mission and initiatives.
Qualifications:
-2-5 years of experience with open-source intelligence (OSINT) research, data analysis, and/or investigations
-Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred
-Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information from diverse sources with accuracy and precision
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely
-Superb organizational skills and attention to detail, including the ability to manage numerous tasks simultaneously
-Familiarity with open-source research tools, databases, and data visualization techniques, with a willingness and aptitude for learning new technologies, methods, and teaching others
-Knowledge of conflict, corruption, illicit finance, and human rights with a commitment to The Sentry’s mission and values
-Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and foster partnerships with external stakeholders
Preferred Skills
-Knowledge regarding one or more of The Sentry’s country or thematic programs
-Proficiency in relevant languages, such as French, Russian, Arabic, Burmese, or Azerbaijani
-Experience with graph databases, neo4j, and/or Linkurious is a plus
-Experience with fact checking is a plus
Compensation
Salary: $60,000-75,000 per year.
Applications
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Please include “Researcher/Senior Researcher,” in the subject line of your email. Deadline: May 26, 2024.
Anti-Discrimination Statement
The Sentry, a 501(c)(3) public charity, is an investigative and policy organization that seeks to disable multinational predatory networks that benefit from violent conflict, repression and kleptocracy. The Sentry is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding, and enables each of us to realize our potential. The Sentry’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.