Application Deadline: February 5, 2024 at 11:59 P.M. CET

About OCCRP

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is a growing, global nonprofit media organization that is reinventing investigative journalism for the public good. By developing and equipping a global network of investigative journalists and publishing their stories, we expose crime and corruption so the public can hold power to account. We see a future where organized crime and corruption are drastically reduced and democracy is strengthened. Our global team includes editors, researchers, data engineers, security specialists, administrators, technologists, and strategists, each with areas of in-depth expertise.

Position overview:

We are seeking an experienced researcher with extensive knowledge of tracking down public records throughout Africa to support our partners and projects. We are looking for someone with a proven track record of doing investigative research and are open to candidates coming from journalism, law, finance or a related field. The person will form part of the Africa team and report to the head of research & data. The job may be fashioned as a one-year fellowship with the possibility of extension.

Our research & data team is the brainpower behind OCCRP ID, a service that helps investigative journalists in the OCCRP network conduct research quickly and effectively. You will join a team of expert researchers who use a combination of commercial search engines and databases, as well as publicly available open sources, to help journalists track down people, companies, and assets anywhere in the world.

Job description

Responsibilities include:

● Running extensive background checks on people, companies, and their networks

● Interpreting corporate, legal, property, and financial documents

● Writing comprehensive reports on research findings to be shared with journalists

● Responding promptly to research requests from journalists in the OCCRP network

● Joining investigative teams to provide research support on long-term investigations, including proactively proposing creative avenues for research

● Working closely with other members of the research & data team, as well as the Africa team, to respond to complex research queries

● Identifying ways to obtain information from new sources, specifically in Africa

● Periodically training investigative journalists from the region on research techniques and navigating local databases

Person Description

Required Skills:

● Understanding of, and ability to obtain, public records in Sub-Saharan African countries

● Fluency in the English language written and spoken

● Ability to work well with people from a range of countries, languages and backgrounds, online and in person

● Ability to express ideas in a clear and concise manner

● Persistence and curiosity — you should be someone who enjoys looking for needles in a haystack

● Thoroughness and strong attention to detail

● Ability to work independently, while asking for guidance when needed

● Computer literacy, with experience using Word, Excel, and Google Docs

● Higher education, preferably with previous experience in research, journalism, law or finance

Desirable Skills:

● Basic knowledge of data wrangling and analysis

● Understanding of how to track movement and ownership of ships and planes

To Apply:

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to jobs(at)occrp.org

All applications must be submitted in English. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Whilst we have internal goals to reply to unsuccessful candidates, we regret that the high number of applicants greatly exceeds our capacity to respond to each person. We apologise that we will not be able to reply to any unsuccessful applicants.

As an equal opportunity employer, OCCRP values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any person based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex, medical conditions, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics. If you are a qualified applicant requiring assistance or an accommodation to complete any step of the application process, please contact hr(at)occrp.org