Intern - Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP)
QuantSpark, United Kingdom
Job Description
About Tech Against Terrorism
Tech Against Terrorism supports the global technology sector in responding to terrorist use of the internet whilst respecting human rights, with an explicit focus on supporting those smaller tech platforms with fewer resources to address the urgent threat of terrorist exploitation. We work closely with the United Nations, the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), dozens of smaller tech platforms, democratic governments, and civil society.
The Terrorist Content Analytics Platform (TCAP) is our flagship tool that assembles the world’s largest database of verified terrorist content collected in real-time from verified terrorist channels on messaging platforms and apps. We then alert platforms to terrorist content to improve their ability to remove terrorist content. Developed by Tech Against Terrorism with support from Public Safety Canada, the TCAP is a secure online tool that automates the detection, analysis, and real-time alerting of verified terrorist content on smaller internet platforms. Once the TCAP has identified terrorist content, the platform alerts tech companies, in so doing helping smaller platforms make better content moderation decision.
The role
Tech Against Terrorism is looking for two TCAP interns to support our core activities for 6-month period. This role will give you the opportunity to help on terrorist content collection and open-source intelligence analysis, as well as policy issues concerning technology, tech policy, terrorism, human rights, and digital rights. The role is well-suited for recent master’s degree students from programmes in Counter Terrorism, Security, and International Politics or candidates with subject matter knowledge of terrorism and terrorist use of the internet looking for early career experience. Prior experience in open-source intelligence (OSINT) is desirable for this role. In particular we welcome applicants with demonstrable experience monitoring messaging and social media platforms for terrorist content.
All candidates should be informed that this job includes viewing terrorist content on a daily basis. While Tech Against Terrorism will provide support required, applicants are advised to take this into account when applying for this position.
Closing date for applications:17th September 2021
Responsibilities include:
- Open-source intelligence and analysis to assist content collection for the TCAP
- Assisting on policy, outreach, and administrative TCAP workstreams
- Supporting the organisation of (and background research for) TCAP office hours, webinars and other events
- Producing written products for internal and external use, such as OSINT briefs, the TCAP newsletters, and weekly readers’ digest
- Supporting the Tech Against Terrorism team with other tasks as required
Requirements
Essentials:
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Excellent knowledge of terrorist groups’ use of the internet and how to identify official material produced by these groups
- Demonstrated experience in open-source intelligence and analysis
- Strong research skills and ability to identify key pieces of information in large amounts of material
- Exceptional time management, organisational skills, and attention to detail
- Engaging and motivated attitude and ability to take constructive feedback
- Ability to work independently with limited supervision
- Ability to work in our London office
Desirables:
- Demonstrated knowledge and/or interest in technology, tech policy, and human rights
- Ability to conduct research in a foreign language (preferably Pashto, Urdu, Dari, Arabic)
Benefits
- 20,000 pro-rated over 6 months
- Work together with our open-source intelligence team and learn to identify and analyse terrorist content; this involves learning how to conduct open-source intelligence analysis and learn about terrorist actors’ and groups use of the internet
- Opportunity to assist the wider Tech Against Terrorism team on a range of projects involving countering terrorist use of the internet, tech policy, human rights, and the rule of law
- Full access to Tech Against Terrorism’s events, webinars, and resources
- Work in an enthusiastic and motivated team
- Participate in company socials Breakfast, team lunches and events.
- 25 days holiday pro-rata