Lead Analyst & Deputy Head of Open Source Unit

 

Main characteristics

Location

London, London

Company

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)

Employment type

Permanent

Category

Analyst

Job summary

Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Lead Analyst & Deputy Head of Open Source Unit
Total Package: £43,000
Location: London
1 Year Fixed Term
With a remit that extends across every continent and country in the world, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) offers a unique career prospect. Here, our 17,300-strong workforce work collaboratively to promote the UK as a force for good and protect the nation's safety and interests. Whether tackling terrorism and espionage, addressing natural disasters or working with our international partners to reduce poverty, we are a forward-thinking department that strives for excellence. It is within this dynamic environment that you could find a deeply interesting role that will enhance your future career prospects.
We are currently at an interesting moment in our development. The UK Government is reliant on our ability to help them shape UK and international policy decisions by quickly analysing large amounts of open source data. As such, we are going through a period of rapid technological change, providing the perfect backdrop for an experienced Analyst to help us handle the threat of disinformation generating from Eastern Europe. Leading the team across a range of complex challenges, you will use data science, behavioural science and open source analysis to identify, monitor and evaluate real-time information operations. Shaping knowledge on emerging technology, tactics and trends, you will assess vulnerability and resilience factors, producing products and tools that will enhance the work of the team. Crucially, you will also develop the skills of your colleagues, building capability that will ensure we remain at the cutting-edge of analytical excellence.
With your reports being relied on by UK policy makers, international partners, and technical and non-technical audiences, this is a great opportunity to build your expertise and reputation across the wider department. As such, you will thrive in our visionary team if you are capable of working at pace, reacting quickly to unfolding events and forming a reliable crisis response. There will be opportunities to represent HMG and share best practise with a wide range of partners. There may be opportunities to travel overseas occasionally when business returns to normal. You will be a flexible team player with exceptional verbal and written communication skills, and Russian language skills sufficient for reading demanding texts and fully understanding their meaning. With significant line management experience, you will be fluent in delivering high quality analytical reports, and you will have the capacity to make effective decisions while always seeing the bigger picture.
If you choose to join us in this fascinating role, you will be exposed to high profile challenges that are of national importance. Against the backdrop of a supportive team environment, you will have the freedom to grow and develop, with exceptional networking opportunities. You will also benefit from a competitive package that includes generous annual leave and access to a highly desirable pension scheme. So join us in our fight against Eastern European misinformation, and be at the forefront of a truly exciting analytical team.
Closing date: 7 December 2020.