Data Analyst At Syria Civil Defense (White Helmets)

ABOUT STICHTING WHITE HELMETS FOUNDATION

Stichting White Helmets Foundation (SWHF) is a not-for-profit organisation based in the Netherlands. The Foundation aims to provide aid to communities and persons recovering from conflicts and disasters; provide support and orientation to refugees and communities in hosting countries; support justice, human rights efforts, international advocacy and research activities.

Stichting White Helmets Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and applications are actively encouraged from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

SCOPE OF WORK

The role of the Data Analyst (DA) is to support the work of the White Helmets Investigation Support and Case-building Unit. Under the direct supervision of the Lead Investigator, DAs are responsible for gathering, triangulating and verifying closed and open-source information. The work of the DAs will primarily be used to support case building tasks within justice and accountability processes related to Syria. Due to the nature of the project, DAs will be required to work with potentially graphic content on a regular basis.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

• Duty station: The Hague, Netherlands
• Line manager: Lead Investigator
• Line management Responsibility: N/A
• Full-time/Part-time: Full-time

Tasks and activities:

• Compare and analyse closed source information from the White Helmets archive with open-source information for the purpose of verification and triangulation.
• Conduct targeted research and information collection to gather contextual information using open-source investigation techniques such as geolocation, photo/image verification.
• Explore new data sources, create effective queries, and combine information from sources to provide OSINT powered analytical insights.
• Perform data entry and data cleaning tasks for pertinent databases, which compile and integrate evidence for each case based on incidents, alleged perpetrators, victims, locations, groups, and other pertinent factors related to the investigation.
• Present factual findings and draft analytical reports and assessments.
• The compilation of findings into analytical reports.
• Coordinate and collaborate with team members to address and resolve complex issues encountered during information review, analysis and investigation.
• Contribute to the establishment of the WH investigation database.
• Implement effective mechanisms for systematic information collection and maintain database of sources relevant for the Syria situation.
• Any other support task required to assist investigators, including production of summaries and collations, corroboration checks, and sourcing of reports or other analytical products.

Required qualifications: Education, Experience and Competencies:

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, computer science, criminology, law or other relevant field is preferred.
• Two years of professional experience in open-source research and investigation, including search engines and database resources.
• Demonstrated knowledge of photo and video verification techniques and geolocation methods; Knowledge of using Geographic Information Systems is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of various interactive visualization tools.
• Proven understanding of social media platforms, trends, and monitoring.
• Ability to handle complex/large amounts of information.
• Strong reasoning skills, including ability to understand complex scenarios of crime, to simultaneously handle conflicting information and hypotheses, to identify source biases, and to develop sound logical inferences.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills, and able to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff and stakeholders.
• Clear understanding operational and personal security factors including high levels of cyber hygiene.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English & Arabic is required.
• Strong and proven understanding of the Syrian context is required. The latter applied to the human rights and justice scene is preferred.
• High standards of confidentiality, reliability and discretion.
• Integrity by sharing the SWHF’s values and ethical standards.
• we will also consider candidates who have not been able to complete their studies but have a level of education that allows for clear communication, assessment, and organization of information supported by practical experience in open source investigation.