Associate Analyst – Middle East and Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Company Description

About Sibylline

Sibylline is a leading intelligence and strategic risk consultancy in the security sector. Since 2010 we have supported businesses, governments and NGOs through the provision of high-quality risk analysis, due diligence and consultancy services. The firm provides an innovative, entrepreneurial and fast-growing working environment, offering employees ever greater exposure to high-profile clients and challenges. Sibylline offers fantastic opportunities for career progression within a successful company, and we aim to help our employees to build their own personal profiles as well-regarded analysts within the broader industry.

Key attributes of Sibylline employees are:

• Self-motivated, and auto-improving individuals who can couple initiative and boldness with good judgement
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Clarity of thought and analytical flair
• Strong, demonstrable interest in security and intelligence
• The ability to work under pressure, demonstrate leadership when required but also be able to collaborate effectively in teams
• Excellent attention to detail

Job Description

About the Role  

We are looking for an insightful geopolitical risk analyst to join our growing Global Intelligence Team as an Associate analyst, focusing on the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region.

Our UK-based Middle East and Africa (MEA) Desk supplies and maintains analytical services on geopolitical and security developments in the region. You will be responsible for detecting, analysing, and advising on adverse conditions that could affect the safety, security and operational continuity of our clients. These conditions include but are not limited to: political instability and unrest, crime, terrorism, conflict, governance risks, natural hazards and an awareness of cyber threats.

The desk is divided into two regions; SSA & Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT), and you will be expected to contribute to work on both regions. However, the predominant focus of this role will be SSA. As such, candidates should have a deep understanding of issues affecting SSA politics, security and society.  

You will research and analyse a wide range of information and write regular high quality analytical reports to strict deadlines, which deliver insight and value to our clients. Aside from written analysis, you will partake in podcasts and deliver presentations to expert audiences around the world. Your work will help our clients to make critical decisions about security and operational challenges. 

This is a hybrid role requiring to be in our London office once or twice a week. 

 Responsibilities  

• Plan, research, and write regular analytical reports delivering actionable insight to clients  
• Deliver on-call threat assessments tailored to client requirements  
• Actively monitor regional security incidents to determine potential impact, and maintain an awareness of strategic trends throughout the region in order to update a global threat assessment scoring system  
• Process large data sets in excel and data visualisation tools  
• Support threat monitoring projects by investigating issues, groups of interest, or companies in the region through the use of proprietary databases and social media monitoring  
• Provide analytical cover for other regional analysts, as required  
• Attend industry-standard events and promote Sibylline's reputation  
• Uphold Sibylline company standards, culture, and ethics within the team  

Requirements 

• Bachelor’s degree, in International Relations, Political Science, Geopolitics, Africa Studies, Security or related discipline. Related topics could include degrees that have included substantial amounts of study in geopolitical, security or intelligence related subjects
• Thorough and deep knowledge of political, security, criminal, and governance issues in Africa, particularly the SSA region, and a strong interest in security and intelligence
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills 
• Demonstrated academic and/or professional research experience on issues pertaining to Sub-Saharan Africa  
• Proficient in handling large data sets in Excel and data visualisation tools  
• Excellent research skills, and ability to rapidly digest, evaluate and “sift” large quantities of information  
• Strong personal initiative: ability to take ownership of tasks and deliver solutions under minimal guidance  
• Analytical flair: an ability to provide rigorous, creative insight into complex situations  
• Experience in conducting corporate investigations and due diligence reports  
• Excellent attention to detail with a high level competency with Word, PowerPoint and Excel  
• Must be able to prove RTW in the UK either through Citizenship, a Government issued valid share code or qualified immigration documents​  

Nice to have 

• Master’s degree, in International Relations, Public Policy, Geopolitics, Security or related discipline. Related topics could include degrees that have included substantial amounts of study in geopolitical, security or intelligence related subjects.  
• Regional insight gained through previous experience living or working in the SSA region  
• Fluency in a SSA regional language would be beneficial to assist in research capabilities   
• Additional insight and interest into wider Middle East issues  
• Working knowledge of Power BI and Canva  
• Strong professional network including regionally based contacts which you may draw on in the course of your research. 
• Access to and use of professional networks, including regionally based contacts, which can provide additional sources of information in the course of your research.  
• Experience working in intelligence, geopolitical or security-related disciplines (public or private)  
• Experience working with highly confidential information   

Interview process:

• Initial call with our Talent Acquisition team member 
• Timed written assessment (arranged at the time that suits you) to test writing and analytical capability 
• Panel interview with some of the team members and hiring managers at Sibylline 

Sibylline is committed to the recruitment and selection of candidates without regard for sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, age, political beliefs, culture and lifestyle. We are committed to fostering a business culture that reflects these values and promotes equal opportunity.