An organization is expanding its Intelligence, Security and Defence practice and is building a pool of Research Analysts, to be contracted on an ad hoc basis as assignments arise. These are all-source intelligence analysts able to turn open-source and geospatial material into clear, well-judged written assessments for European institutions and their partners.
Much of the current portfolio concerns security in the EU's neighbourhood, including border security, irregular migration and cross-border crime, but analysts in the pool may be tasked across a broad range of security and geopolitical questions. This is an analytical role at its core: close reading of complex environments, disciplined sourcing, sound estimative judgement, and clear written communication for decision-makers.
Experts in the pool will contribute to analytical production across the practice, on assignments contracted individually.
What you do
- Producing all-source intelligence assessments (threat and risk analysis, situational assessments, and indications and warning) on security and geopolitical developments in assigned areas of interest.
- Exploiting open-source information alongside geospatial and satellite-imagery data, fusing multiple sources to generate, verify and corroborate findings.
- Applying structured analytical techniques and estimative reasoning, with rigorous sourcing, corroboration and source-reliability grading, in line with recognised analytical standards.
- Drafting intelligence products (assessments, briefings and map-based products) to institutional standards, properly sourced, referenced and calibrated, and written to British English / EU style conventions.
- Monitoring assigned areas of interest and flagging emerging crises, patterns or trends of analytical relevance.
- Contributing across thematic portfolios, which currently include border security, irregular migration, human smuggling and cross-border crime in countries of origin and transit.
- Managing analytical deliverables end to end, from tasking and research design through to quality assurance and delivery.
What they ask
- At least seven years of experience in all-source, intelligence, geopolitical or security analysis, serving European institutions, governments and/or comparable clients.
- A strong academic grounding in International Relations, Political Science, Security Studies, Intelligence Studies or a closely related field.
- Mastery of analytic tradecraft: structured analytic techniques, estimative reasoning, and adherence to analytic standards (objectivity, transparent sourcing, and distinguishing judgement from fact).
- Strong open-source (OSINT) research skills across structured and unstructured data, and the ability to synthesise findings into clear, well-referenced written products.
- Sound source evaluation and reliability grading.
- Familiarity with geospatial and satellite-imagery analysis and its application to security questions.
- A demonstrable record of published analysis (studies, reports or briefings) in domain journals, at conferences or online.
- Excellent written and spoken English (at least C1 level), including drafting to institutional style (British English / EU conventions).
- A commitment to original, human-authored analysis and rigorous attribution.
- The ability to work to tight deadlines and coordinate inputs across partners.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint for report production.
- Availability to take on assignments at relatively short notice and to work remotely.
Desirable.
- Hands-on expertise in geospatial / GEOINT analysis and VHR satellite-imagery exploitation (e.g. ArcGIS Pro) in support of analytical case studies.
- Regional expertise in an area of interest to European security, for example the MENA region, the Sahel, Eastern Europe or the Western Balkans.
- Working knowledge of relevant open data ecosystems (e.g. ACLED, GDELT; and, for border and migration work, Frontex, EUAA, UNODC, IOM).
- Additional EU or regionally relevant languages (e.g. French, Arabic, Russian).
- A strong professional network across the security, defence and intelligence communities.
- Demonstrated experience advising or delivering to European institutions or agencies.
Practical
- Opportunity to undertake substantive analytical work of real strategic consequence, with your written judgement informing decisions taken by European institutions and their partners.
- Deepen your regional and thematic expertise, publish your work, and present your analysis to clients and at conferences.
- Collaborate closely with a small, expert and collegiate team, with occasional travel to client sites when required by an assignment.
- Benefit from clearly scoped assignments, contracted individually as requirements arise, with competitive daily rates.
- Work fully remotely from wherever you are based, with the flexibility to combine assignments with your other professional commitments.
How to apply
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