Digital Methods and Policy Manager/Senior Manager

ISD is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding human rights and reversing the rising tide of polarisation, extremism and disinformation worldwide.

Why work for ISD?

ISD is not your ordinary think tank. We turn research into action that changes the world. Our insights don't gather dust on shelves - they power the fight to protect democracy and human rights on the front lines. We're committed to delivering real change, from the grassroots to the highest levels of global institutions. And we're looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to making a difference. Join us and be part of an organisation that's making an impact.

ISD's Guiding Principles of integrity, collaboration, agility and courage define who we are as a team and an organisation. These principles reflect our culture and guide the way we work and the choices we make.

Our benefits

• Flexible and remote working based on ISD's Time Principles of trust, communication and flexibility.

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays.

• 1 week of additional paid time off over Christmas, outside of your annual leave entitlement.

• Additional paid time off for development and life's important events.

• Sick pay and enhanced family friendly policies and compassionate leave.

• Company pension with 5% employer contribution.

• Annual personal development budget.

• Remote working budget.

• Employee Assistance Programme and dedicated counsellors for those working with potentially traumatic content.

• Inclusive wellbeing programme with regular wellbeing initiatives e.g. early finish on a Friday.

Salary

UK: £35,000 - £60,000 depending on experience
Germany: Up to TVÖD E13 depending on experience

Location

UK or Germany. You may work from our office in London or Berlin, from home, or on a hybrid arrangement to suit you. Please note you will be required to attend the office occasionally for team meetings.

Hours

This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week. We are open to considering flexible working arrangements.

Contract type

One year fixed-term with possibility of extension subject to funding. Please note that these positions are subject to the awarding of funding.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

ISD is committed to promoting diversity throughout its workforce and aims for its team to be truly representative of all sections of society. We make a concerted effort to ensure our workplace, employment policies and organisational culture creates an inclusive, positive and progressive environment in which all members of our team are treated with dignity and respect. For further information about this policy or our recruitment practices, please email vacancies@isdglobal.org.

We strongly encourage applications from people of colour, the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, neuro-divergent people, carers, and people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

The role

We are seeking several Digital Methods & Policy Managers / Senior Managers to play a pivotal role within the organisation, supporting the Director of the Digital Analysis Unit (DAU) in methods development and standardisation. Their responsibilities will include leading the creation of new digital research methodologies to monitor risks and assess platform mitigations that involve the analysis of large-scale social media data, including leveraging new data access mechanisms, resources and transparency data made available through the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). 

The successful post holders will champion the use of our proprietary technology Beam, co-developed with CASM Technology, assume responsibility for methodological oversight of research projects across the organisation that involve Beam, and support the technical upskilling of research analysts. They will also lead the execution of complex analyses involving large-scale data, as well as maintain a central repository of actors, domains, and keyword lists. 

Key responsibilities include:

• Project Management & Delivery (60%)
  

• Oversee research methods, activities and outputs for up to 3 digital research projects simultaneously.

• Contribute to the scoping and design of up to 10 digital analysis projects annually, including assessing the feasibility of research questions.

• Troubleshoot project challenges and concerns for digital research projects, escalating to leadership when necessary.

• Digital Research & Methods (25%)

• Participate in the creation of innovative digital research methodologies, with a focus on the analysis of large-scale social media data.

• Leverage new data access mechanisms, resources and transparency data available through the Digital Service Act (DSA) to enhance research capabilities.

• Support ISD research teams in accessing and interpreting data from a range of sources.

• Technical Training & Database Management (15%)

• Provide technical support for the upskilling and training of research analysts in using digital research tools and methods.

To view a full job description, please  click here.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate will have 3+ years (6+ for senior managers) of project delivery experience, with proven ability to manage complex and large research projects involving external partners, experience in designing methodologies for digital research projects on online information operations, extremism, and/or hate speech, and experience delivering complex analysis of large-scale datasets. 

They will have strong working knowledge of digital analytics techniques, including social listening and network analysis (e.g. Gephi), advanced knowledge of the social listening tools Brandwatch and CrowdTangle, subject matter familiarity with digital regulation, such as the EU’s Digital Services Act, the Code of Practice on Disinformation or the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) and proficient use of data visualisation software, such as Tableau and Flourish.

Please review our  job description for essential criteria, and keep in mind that no candidate will meet every requirement in the advert. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified, but you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you.

How to apply

Please submit your application by 5pm UK time on Friday 29 November. ISD reserves the right to interview and appoint candidates prior to the advertised closing date.

If you have any further questions about this vacancy or want to speak to a member of our recruitment team, please contact vacancies@isdglobal.org.