Threat Analyst

ISD is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to safeguarding elections, freedom, national security, public safety and individual rights by reversing the rising global tide of polarization, extremism, foreign interference and authoritarianism.

For 20 years, ISD has been at the forefront of analyzing, exposing and combatting all forms of terrorism, extremism, foreign interference, digital manipulation and authoritarianism, helping equip institutions, communities and the private sector with the tools, policies and skills to achieve impact at scale. Combining research and analysis with government advisory work and the design and delivery of training, education and communications programs, ISD works to implement real-world, evidence-based responses to these challenges.  

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

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 organization that's making an impact. 

Our benefits

• Flexible and remote working based on ISD's ‘Time Principles’ (Trust, Communication and Flexibility)

• 20 days paid time off + an average of 11 public holidays observed annually + an additional week of paid time off during our company- wide holiday closure at the end of the year

• Up to 6 weeks of paid sick leave per year

• Company-sponsored health insurance policy including comprehensive health (via BCBS), vision, and dental plans (via Principal)

• Other ancillary benefits such as FSA/HSA and commuter savings in certain metro areas

• 401k including competitive company match

• Annual personal development budget, remote working allowance, and more!
  
  

Salary

$55,000 - $90,000 per annum, depending on experience 

Location

Washington, D.C. Hybrid / Remote.
Please note that we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship or to accept applicants living outside of the US for this role.

Hours

This is a full-time salaried (exempt) position, 40 hours per week. 

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.

The role

The Threat Analyst will work as part of a team researching online radicalization, terrorist use of the internet, and the migration of online rhetoric and behavior to offline violence and other illegal activities. The analyst will conduct quantitative and qualitative digital research into groups, movements, and networks to identify credible, specific, and/or imminent threats, as well as online trends that have the potential to instigate violence and other harms. The analyst will also produce, edit, and lead the quality control of various national security and public safety-related internal- and external stakeholder-facing outputs, such as monthly trends briefs, intelligence and analytical alerts and products, and briefings for external stakeholders. The analyst will work closely with others digital research analysts, as well as with senior managers and directors across the ISD-US team. 

Key responsibilities include:

Threat Monitoring, Digital Ethnography, and Qualitative Analysis (40%)  

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis, through digital ethnography and tools (e.g. Pyrra, Brandwatch) to detect trends, such as:  

  • Online activity with the potential to impact threats to public safety, including to mass gatherings and other events such as, but not limited to, US elections;  

  • Development of new tactics to influence real-world threats; and 

  • Activities perpetrated by terrorist, extremist, adversarial state actors, and other groups and movements that pose threats to public safety.  

• Analyze impact of real-world events/developments, such as global conflicts or incidents of political violence, on public safety in the United States.  

Publications (40%)  

• Produce clear and concise analytical products based on threat investigations.  

• Lead quality control efforts for various outputs, including but not limited to, written reports, alerts, and PowerPoint decks for verbal briefings.  

• Author and review/edit clear, data-driven, and accessible analysis for a variety of stakeholders and audiences, such as law enforcement, policymakers, NGOs, and the broader public:  

  • Review and copyedit collaborative products.  

  • Produce and/or support written briefs, alerts, PowerPoints, and other products. 

  • Contribute to managing team-wide project management tracker. 

Incident Response (15%) 

• Collect, process, and analyze reporting related to potential extremist and terrorist activity in North America.  

• Produce quick-turn intelligence alerts and other products on real-world plots and attacks that include relevant takeaways and insights for the reader.  

Administrative Responsibilities (5%)  

• Data management and cleanup, file storage, and retention. 

Please review the full job description for all of the expected responsibilities required here.