Open Source Investigator and Trainer (Conflict)

• Conduct rigorous, accurate and ethical open source investigations, both independently and as part of our Human Rights and Conflict Monitoring Team, to Bellingcat’s rigorous professional and editorial standards
• Contribute to research planning and identification of innovations to increase the quality and caliber of investigations
• Present factual findings to our audience – readers and viewers- in a clear, compelling and methodologically sound manner
• Collaborate with colleagues who conduct investigations with techniques such as weapons identification, remote sensing and data analysis and carry out technical review of their reporting
• Train a wide spectrum of participants on investigative techniques and methodologies in both an online (webinar) and in-person format
• Maintain a high level of operational and personal security, including an understanding of cyber-hygiene and potential threat actors
• Occasionally travel (approx. 4 trips per year) for training workshops, presentations and conferences
• Be prepared to travel in Europe for occasional (1-2 trips per year) staff retreats and training sessions, as we are based in the Netherlands. Travel may also include trips to other parts of the world
• Perform other research tasks as required

Education, Experience and Skills

Education: The candidate must have a level of education which allows for clear communication, assessment and organisation of information. Academic degrees are not required, but any formal education in fields that accentuate the required skills for this role (such as in conflict studies, journalism, etc.) are a plus.

Experience: The candidate should be able to demonstrate a track record of work and publications about war or conflict in different regions using open source methods and meeting stringent editorial standards. The candidate must have a record of conducting and presenting effective, rigorous, innovative and ethical open source investigations. Bellingcat has strict editorial standards and expects them to be met at all times. The candidate will work with Bellingcat’s editors to present and publish their findings adhering to these standards. Any teaching experience is a plus, but not required.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of armed conflicts, warfare, military affairs as well as human rights is required
• Demonstrated knowledge of one or more of the following military weapon systems: small arms & light weapons (SALW), armored fighting vehicles (AFVs), artillery and rocket systems, aircraft and aerial systems, naval warfare systems, missile & air defense systems, electronic and cyber warfare, nuclear, chemical & biological weapons.
• Experience and track record covering war or armed conflicts in existing or nascent conflict regions
• Demonstrated knowledge conducting human rights investigations and humanitarian frameworks (e.g., International Humanitarian Law, Refugee Protection, etc)
• Experience planning and conducting online open source investigations for publication with the aim to reach as wide an audience as possible.
• Track record of open source/investigative publications in an environment that operates to professional editorial and ethical standards
• Commitment to follow Bellingcat’s editorial and research standards
• Ability to uncover and pitch important open source stories that generate impact and inform Bellingcat’s global audience
• Ability to clearly communicate methods and conclusions verbally, in writing and in graphic formats
• Ability and willingness to work and collaborate with fellow investigators and editors
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage a busy workload
• Experience investigating in partnership with international media organisations
• In-depth understanding of major social media platforms
• In-depth understanding of visual verification techniques
• The ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in a multicultural team with people from diverse backgrounds in different time zones is required
• Fluency in English

Additional Desired Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Experience in teaching or training, whether it be for digital investigative techniques or other topics relevant to Bellingcat’s work.
• Language in existing or nascent conflict regions
• Experience in public presentations in a conference setting
• Experience with 3D computer graphics software tools such as Blender is desired but not essential
• Military experience would be a plus but not essential

What We Offer

Bellingcat is a fully remote international team with a flat organizational structure and defined responsibilities and teams. 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. The gross annual salary (based on 1fte) is within the framework of the non-profit sector – between EUR 56,100 and EUR 67,700 depending on experience and track record. Benefits include 25 days of paid vacation days per year (based on 1 fte), plus national holidays depending on your country of residence, wellbeing budget, training opportunities and others.