Bellingcat is Hiring: Open Source Investigator

June 1, 2022.

We are looking for an experienced open source investigator to join our Ukraine justice and accountability team. You will join other members of this team identifying, collecting and processing information from open sources regarding the war in Ukraine which will primarily be used for accountability purposes.

Who We Are

Bellingcat is an independent collective of international researchers, investigators and citizen journalists using open source and social media investigations to probe conflict, corruption, crimes, misinformation, disinformation, extremist groups and much, much more. We have received multiple awards for our research and publications that shine a light on wrongdoing. Our community (which includes staff, contributors and volunteers around the world) works in a unique field where technology, forensic research, journalism and the advancement of justice and accountability come together.

Who You Are

The ideal candidate should have experience planning and conducting open source investigations both as an individual and as part of a team. You must have excellent skills in discovering, verifying and presenting open source information in a clear and precise manner. You must also have a deep understanding of both Ukraine and Russia, as well as an understanding of the war from 2014 onwards.

You are enthusiastic about working for an international nonprofit organisation that uses publicly available data and open source analysis to investigate a variety of topics that are in the public interest and which advance transparency and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Conduct rigorous, accurate and ethical open source investigations, both independently and as part of a wider team
• Contribute to research planning and identification of innovations which increase the effectiveness of investigations
• Be able to present factual findings to external partners in a clear and methodological manner
• Be prepared to support open source training and development of Ukrainian and Russian speaking civil society groups
• Collaborate with colleagues who conduct investigations with techniques such as remote sensing and data analysis
• Maintain a high level of operational and personal security including an understanding of cyber hygiene and potential threat actors
• Be prepared to travel within Europe for meetings and training sessions
• Perform other responsibilities as required

Skills and Experience

Education: The candidate must have a level of education which allows for clear communication, assessment and organisation of information. Relevant academic degrees, including in law, are certainly a plus, but are not a requirement.

Experience: The candidate must have a record of conducting and presenting effective, rigorous, innovative and ethical open source research.

Related Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience planning and conducting online open source investigations is required
• Demonstrated knowledge of photo and video verification techniques is required
• The ability to speak either Ukrainian or Russian at a native level is required
• Fluency in English is required
• In-depth understanding of social media platforms in the context of Ukraine and Russia is required
• Demonstrated knowledge of geolocation methods is required
• The ability to clearly communicate methods and conclusions orally, in writing and in graphic formats is required
• The ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in a multicultural team with people from diverse backgrounds in different timezones is required

What We Offer

Bellingcat is a young, innovative and diverse international team with a flat organisational structure and a lot of flexibility. We look at results, not office hours. Our distributed model of work encourages initiative, a high degree of responsibility and ownership of both your successes and challenges. We value and reward the drive for excellence and don’t put up with the bare minimum.

The position is based on full-time (40 hours per week) employment with an initial one-year contract (three months probation period, with possibility for extension or permanent contract subject to performance).

The salary range is within the framework of the non-profit sector and is between €2,600-2,850 EUR per month gross depending on experience and track record.

Additional benefits include 25 (twenty five) days of paid holiday days per year and salary (70%) guarantee in case of prolonged illness.

How To Apply

Bellingcat is committed to a diverse working environment. Our team is international, from a wide range of backgrounds and we always welcome and appreciate new perspectives and life experiences. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, origin, religion, age, gender or sexual orientation. Your formal education is less important to us than your previous experience in the field.

Please apply by sending a CV, a cover letter explaining your suitability for this role and examples of your work to jobs@bellingcat.com. Please also note the job you are applying for in the subject line of your email. The deadline to apply for this role is June 19, 2022. Given we expect to receive a high number of applications, it will not be possible to respond to all.