Videre Est Credere
About Videre
Videre exposes human rights abuses and holds perpetrators to account. We work directly with oppressed communities in hard-to-access areas, equipping networks of local activists and community leaders with the technology and training to safely capture compelling visual evidence of political violence, human rights violations and systemic abuses. We then put this evidence in the hands of those that can secure accountability and justice.
Videre’s Research Department serves to guide new and existing operations by gathering, analysing and disseminating information. Our goal is to produce credible, targeted, verified evidence which contributes to accountability and insight into trends. We provide proactive and reactive research and analysis support to projects; explore and assess new issues; build partnerships with other organisations; and share tools and techniques with the wider team.
Position Summary
Videre is recruiting for an inquisitive and thorough researcher with open source / OSINT research aptitude, French and English language skills, and ability to train others. This position will provide direct research and analysis support to projects; review and adopt best practices for open source and social media research; apply this knowledge in specific investigations; and share skills with the organisation.
- Responsible to: Director of Research. Key Relationships: Cataloguers, Operations Coordinators, Programme Manager.
- Location and Remote Working: Based in London HQ, but we will consider remote working applications for exceptional candidates with strong research, language and/or training skills who are based between timezones UTC-1 and UTC+4 inclusive. Candidates based near London could move to hybrid working once the COVID-19 situation allows.
- Salary: £29,000-33,000 if based in London, otherwise variable depending on location.
Main Responsibilities
- Communicate with project teams and other departments to ensure that research is targeted for generating positive impact. Actively participate in team discussions and planning processes.
- Keep up to date with political, human rights and thematic developments in relevant project countries, and brief other staff members as required.
- Review visual and non-visual project materials, add relevant content to internal database, and analyse existing content for patterns or knowledge gaps.
- Review established and emerging open source and social media research methods, tools and protocols, and where appropriate lead their adoption by the organisation.
- Conduct targeted open source and social media investigations, and securely archive relevant online materials for long-term storage and future access.
- Assist project teams with verification of locally-sourced videos.
- Prepare insightful and engaging investigative products for external and internal audiences.
- Identify relevant social media platforms for specific project countries, and assist colleagues with secure setup of user accounts and conduct of investigations.
- Train colleagues in open source and social media research across commonly-used platforms.
- Identify relevant individuals and groups that are potential partners or resources for the organisation, and where appropriate and safe, initiate contact and share information.
- Ensure all social media research follows security and ethical best practices.
Skills, Experience and Characteristics
Essential:
- Integrity, and support of Videre’s values, ethical standards, vision, mission and strategic goals.
- Sensitivity and respect for differences in race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression. Ability to work across cultures and timezones.
- Proven proficiency in open source investigative and verification techniques across multiple platforms, and use of collaborative databases for research, storage and analysis.
- Professional proficiency in French and English.
- Understanding of security and ethical considerations of social media research.
- Commitment to accuracy, objectivity and attention to detail.
- Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload in order to accurately complete multiple tasks while considering special assignments, interruptions, deadlines and available resources.
- Excellent written and spoken communication, whether briefing, training, providing constructive feedback or note-taking. Ability to present insights in a manner appropriate to a given audience.
- Inquisitive and analytical mindset. Media literacy and understanding of bias, including algorithmic.
- Proficiency in digital security including encryption, secure communications and privacy tools.
- Working knowledge of geographic mapping tools (such as Google Earth or QGIS and web-based tools) and their use in video geolocation and social media research.
Preferred:
- Strategic thinking and ability to see the ‘big picture’ – taking a global overview of complex issues.
- Decision-making ability to resolve problems in line with the organisation’s goals and values.
- Working knowledge of additional languages, particularly those spoken in East, Central or West Africa.
- Working knowledge of relevant programming languages (such as Python or R) and their use in open source research.
- Understanding of the Berkeley Protocol and its implementation in online investigations.
- Undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree desired but not obligatory.
How to apply
- Please submit a CV of maximum two pages and a cover letter of maximum one page describing your suitability for this position and the organisation, including your experience, language proficiency, and location. Applications should be emailed to [email protected].
- Applications will close on 4th December, however we will review applications and invite candidates for interviews on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible.
- Initial interviews will be conducted remotely.
- Second-round interviews may be conducted in person depending on applicants’ locations, timing, and the COVID-19 situation. Requesting an online interview will not detriment your application.
- We intend to complete the recruitment process by the end of January 2024. The successful candidate would attend an induction.
We are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of their background. We acknowledge that people from certain backgrounds are under-represented in the human rights sector and we’re committed to doing what we can to correct this. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities that we serve. Therefore, we are particularly keen to receive applications from people who identify with minority and/or underrepresented groups (whether on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status). We also value diversity in terms of personal and professional experience; believing that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create stronger and more creative working environments.
To protect the integrity of our work and the safety of all staff, Videre will review and assess online information about prospective candidates.