JOB DESCRIPTION

Business Solutions Operations Centre Basra City, Iraq www.bsoc.me Registration number: 1718849 (BVI)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Research Assistant

Department:

Business Solutions Operations Centre (BSOC)

Division:

BSOC Insight

Line Manager:

BSOC Insight Manager

Location:

Iraq (Basra city)

Application:

CV and covering letter to Timothy Reece (see bottom)

Vacancy Overview Reporting to the BSOC Intelligence manager in Iraq, the Research Assistant’s duties will include all aspects of the intelligence cycle, developing information from a wide range of sources and using computer-based applications such as Google Earth. The intelligence products developed include a range of reports with a strong focus on security and operational risks to foreign commercial operations in Iraq. These will be used for internal purposes and sent to a myriad of clients including international Oil and Gas companies, BSOC consultants and their affiliates, and other ad hoc clients. Purpose of Role: The core competency of the BSOC’s Research Assistant team is to support the Insight and Operations departments in monitoring public sources to collect, analyse and disseminate information. BSOC Insight helps clients make timely, well informed decisions to enable business by reducing risks and facilitating business continuity. BSOC Operations supports freedom of movement and emergency liaison for subscribing clients. Both services function in support of the BSOC and its clients’ core business objectives through the provision of intelligence to pursue competitive advantage, demonstrate duty of care, mitigate risk and promote business continuity.

Your main responsibilities will be: Provision of monitoring and bespoke research on behalf of the BSOC Insight team and in support of BSOC Operations, in particular: 1. Supporting the efficient operation of information gathering within Iraq, building on accrued contextual insight into the environment and core issues. 2. Ensuring that intelligence products are well informed and researched to a very high standard, meeting the requirements of the BSOC and its clients. 3. Undertaking high-quality bespoke research into specific issues and events upon tasking by the Insight Manager. 4. Production and maintenance of geospatial information systems and databases. 5.

Maintenance of high standards and working practices.

6.

Daily support to the Insight Manager.

To be successful in this role you will need: 1. Personal resilience and a mature outlook. Prior experience of a hardship posting or living in a developing country or conflict environment would be an asset. 2. A solid grounding in Modern Standard Arabic is highly desirable. Additional languages also an asset. 3. A strong academic record. Minimum first class or high 2:1 undergraduate degree in relevant field, such as Middle Eastern Studies, International Relations or International Politics. 4. Excellent standards of written presentation and the capability to summarise accurately and succinctly from a range of sources into clearly worded briefs. 5. Proven research abilities and investigative drive with experience in providing written reports to meet specified timeframes. 2

6. Strong self-motivation and personal organisation, with natural interest in local and regional affairs. 7. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to form close working relationships within a small international team. Preparedness to offer support outside core job description when necessary. 8.

Good IT literacy (MS Office / Adobe / Excel / Google Earth).

9.

Knowledge of the Oil and Gas industry would be a bonus.

Timothy Reece Insight Manager

Business Solutions Operations Centre Basra City, Iraq. E-mail: [email protected]

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