OSINT and Investigations Manager (Hybrid)

Introducing Zinc Network

Zinc Network promotes open, democratic societies, and helps to protect them from threats such as disinformation, violent extremism and corruption. We design integrated programmes for our clients by drawing on best practice from behavioural science, human-centred design, marketing and digital, to meaningfully shape the way people think, feel and act. We deliver these programs in partnership with our network of 000’s of media outlets, civil society actors, activists, influencers and businesses, offering global reach and influence.

We are headquartered in London with offices in Washington, D.C., Tbilisi, and Warsaw and have 100+ team members from diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Zinc works with a broad range of public, private sector and civil society clients, including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); the United States Agency for International Development (USAID); the U.S. Department of State (DOS); UN agencies and missions; and foundations.

Outline of the job

We are looking for an OSINT and Investigations Manager with technical skills in OSINT collection and analysis and experience in investigative journalism. The role will deliver capacity-building and mentoring for grassroots media, CSOs and think tanks across Eurasia and help them design and conduct impactful investigations.

What you’ll be doing

- Providing on the job training and mentoring to grassroots partners on OSINT tools and techniques, investigative journalism best practice, editorial, and how to leverage investigation to create impact

- Management of Zinc’s data collection and digital research tools, and contributing to the feature design of in-house solutions.

- Conducting in-house OSINT research into FIMI and spot reports for our clients

- Using a variety of visualisation tools to display research in a clear and compelling way to multiple audiences.

- Translating findings from OSINT research and investigations into strategic insights for the wider team, ensure that they are captured in concise, compelling, and clear written briefs, reports and presentations

- Helping to identify, triage and shape leads for investigations to ensure they focus on key pressure points such as criminality, financial wrongdoing, reputational issues, social harms etc.

- Build and manage a roster of consultants with specific technical expertise, that Zinc and our partners can draw on e.g. forensic accountancy.

- Coordinating investigations delivered by a wide variety of partner organisations. You will provide direction and hands on support to the analysts and grassroots partners to ensure they are robust, accurate and ethical - and lead to actionable insights

- Represent Zinc at meetings with clients and project partners

What we need from you…

- Background in investigative journalism and/or OSINT research

- Understanding of hostile state influence and understanding of Eastern and Central Europe and/or Central Asia. Knowledge of MENA or Sahelian Africa desirable.

- Knowledge of DISARM and other frameworks preferred.

- Knowledge of a range of OSINT tools and methodologies. Experience working with Python is preferred

- Experience designing and delivering training curriculums.

- Proven ability to conduct OSINT research across a variety of social media platforms.

- Experience managing large data sets and the legal and ethical implications of this.

- Strong interpersonal, communication and people skills to help drive a team forward and create opportunities

- Ability to work with multiple donors and stakeholders on high stakes projects

- Excellent writing skills, including written reports in Word and presentations in PowerPoint.

- Fluency in additional languages is highly desirable.

Area of Selection

We’re committed to hiring a diverse workforce from different professional and cultural backgrounds, and to that end we encourage a variety of people to apply to join our company to represent the diverse range of subjects associated with our projects.

Conditions of Employment

Candidates who receive a job offer will be required to:

- Disclose any previous disciplinary action against them resulting from a substantiated safeguarding (including any breaches involving trafficking- related activities) or workplace investigation.

- Undergo background checks including employment verification, sexual offender registry (as available), identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting.

How to apply

Please include a cover letter stating how you meet each of the requirements.

If you require an accommodation to be made at any point throughout the recruitment process, please advise us when contacted.