Database Manager

ABOUT VIDERE

Videre is an award-winning, UK-registered NGO that exposes human rights abuses and holds perpetrators to account. We work directly with communities in stressed environments, equipping networks of activists and community leaders with the technology and training necessary to safely capture visual documentation of political violence, human rights violations, and other systemic abuses. Our aim is to ensure that the concerns and knowledge of affected communities drive advocacy, policy, and legal action. We currently have teams and partners in six countries and support staff in three further countries.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Videre is seeking a Database Manager to lead the strategic and operational management of Videre’s information systems, with a primary focus on secure closed source investigative data management and relational data analysis tools.

The role is responsible not only for maintaining and optimising existing systems, but also for identifying, scoping, and implementing improved solutions — including leading system migrations where necessary.

A core function of this position is to support investigative, legal, and programme teams to use data systems effectively and confidently. The Database Manager will translate technical architecture into practical workflows, provide training and ongoing guidance, and ensure systems are accessible, secure, and aligned with investigative and verification standards.

The role will also lead Videre’s thinking on the responsible integration of emerging technologies, including AI, into investigative and verification processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Systems Management & Optimisation

• Manage and maintain Videre’s information management systems including our closed-source video management systems and associated infrastructure.
• Ensure systems are secure, reliable, and aligned with investigative, legal, and ethical standards.
• Monitor systems usage, troubleshoot issues, and coordinate with vendors as required.
• Maintain clear documentation of system architecture, protocols, and user guidance.

Strategic Development & Migration

• Assess current systems and identify opportunities for improvement, replacement, or expansion.
• Scope and recommend new platforms or tools to strengthen Videre’s data management.
• Lead end-to-end system migrations, including planning, risk assessment, testing, and change management.
• Ensure continuity, data integrity, and security throughout transitions.

Relational Database Development

• Build and strengthen relational database capacity to support complex investigative analysis.
• Implement and maintain systems that enable pattern analysis, cross-referencing, and evidentiary use.

Verification & Investigative Workflows

• Ensure databases support rigorous verification standards, including chain of custody and metadata preservation.
• Collaborate with investigative teams to optimise workflows for documentation, corroboration, and evidentiary analysis.
• Develop processes that enhance traceability, transparency, and defensibility of findings.

AI & Innovation

• Stay abreast of developments in AI relevant to human rights investigations and lead internal exploration of how AI tools can responsibly and securely strengthen investigative workflows.
• Develop guidance on ethical, legal, and security considerations related to AI integration.
• Pilot and evaluate new tools where appropriate.

Team Support & Capacity Building

• Provide training and ongoing support to staff on database and information management systems.
• Develop user-friendly guidance and promote consistent data entry and verification practices.
• Serve as a bridge between technical systems and investigative teams, ensuring tools are practical and accessible.
• Provide guidance and capacity strengthening support to CSO partners on secure data management practices, including secure data collection, transfer and storage.

Data Protection & Compliance

• Serve as Videre’s Data Protection Lead.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and other relevant data protection regulations across all systems and investigative activities.
• Develop, maintain, and update data protection policies, procedures, and data retention frameworks.
• Advise leadership and programme teams on lawful bases for processing, consent, and data minimisation principles.
• Lead staff training and awareness on data protection obligations and best practice in handling sensitive information.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Significant experience managing secure database systems in high-risk, investigative, legal, or similar environments.
• Strong experience working with large multimedia datasets.
• Demonstrated experience scoping, procuring, or migrating database or information management systems.
• Strong understanding of relational database design and structured data modelling including visualisation.
• Experience supporting verification workflows, including metadata management and chain-of-custody considerations.
• Knowledge of digital security principles, including access controls, encryption, and risk mitigation.
• Experience training and supporting non-technical teams to use complex systems effectively including those with low IT literacy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance technical rigor with operational practicality.
• High level of discretion and commitment to ethical handling of sensitive information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently within a collaborative team environment; this role does not have direct line management responsibility at present.
• Strong influencing skills, with the ability to build buy-in for systems, processes, and policy changes across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent listening skills, with the ability to engage reflectively and work empathetically with diverse, cross-cultural teams.

Preferred

• Experience working in human rights, accountability, journalism, or other investigative contexts.
• Familiarity with AI tools relevant to video analysis, transcription, classification, or investigative research.
• Experience developing organisational policies or guidance on responsible AI use.
• Experience integrating multiple data systems (e.g., video platforms, relational databases, case management systems).
• Understanding of evidentiary standards in international justice or accountability processes.
• Experience working with geographically dispersed or conflict-affected teams.
• Experience navigating internet shutdowns and building offline/low tech solutions.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Location: Nairobi, Kampala or Bangkok preferred. Remote applicants will be considered. Approximately 20 days travel per year expected.

Compensation: Salary is dependent on location. The equivalent of a UK salary of £65,000, plus pension contribution, will be converted according to location using ICSC scales and paid in local currency.

All staff receive:

• A minimum of 28 days leave
• Counselling and mental health support
• Annual wellbeing days

ABOUT VIDERE

Videre is an award-winning, UK-registered NGO that exposes human rights abuses and holds perpetrators to account. We work directly with communities in stressed environments, equipping networks of activists and community leaders with the technology and training necessary to safely capture visual documentation of political violence, human rights violations, and other systemic abuses. Our aim is to ensure that the concerns and knowledge of affected communities drive advocacy, policy, and legal action. We currently have teams and partners in six countries and support staff in three further countries.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Videre is seeking a Database Manager to lead the strategic and operational management of Videre’s information systems, with a primary focus on secure closed source investigative data management and relational data analysis tools.

The role is responsible not only for maintaining and optimising existing systems, but also for identifying, scoping, and implementing improved solutions — including leading system migrations where necessary.

A core function of this position is to support investigative, legal, and programme teams to use data systems effectively and confidently. The Database Manager will translate technical architecture into practical workflows, provide training and ongoing guidance, and ensure systems are accessible, secure, and aligned with investigative and verification standards.

The role will also lead Videre’s thinking on the responsible integration of emerging technologies, including AI, into investigative and verification processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Systems Management & Optimisation

• Manage and maintain Videre’s information management systems including our closed-source video management systems and associated infrastructure.
• Ensure systems are secure, reliable, and aligned with investigative, legal, and ethical standards.
• Monitor systems usage, troubleshoot issues, and coordinate with vendors as required.
• Maintain clear documentation of system architecture, protocols, and user guidance.

Strategic Development & Migration

• Assess current systems and identify opportunities for improvement, replacement, or expansion.
• Scope and recommend new platforms or tools to strengthen Videre’s data management.
• Lead end-to-end system migrations, including planning, risk assessment, testing, and change management.
• Ensure continuity, data integrity, and security throughout transitions.

Relational Database Development

• Build and strengthen relational database capacity to support complex investigative analysis.
• Implement and maintain systems that enable pattern analysis, cross-referencing, and evidentiary use.

Verification & Investigative Workflows

• Ensure databases support rigorous verification standards, including chain of custody and metadata preservation.
• Collaborate with investigative teams to optimise workflows for documentation, corroboration, and evidentiary analysis.
• Develop processes that enhance traceability, transparency, and defensibility of findings.

AI & Innovation

• Stay abreast of developments in AI relevant to human rights investigations and lead internal exploration of how AI tools can responsibly and securely strengthen investigative workflows.
• Develop guidance on ethical, legal, and security considerations related to AI integration.
• Pilot and evaluate new tools where appropriate.

Team Support & Capacity Building

• Provide training and ongoing support to staff on database and information management systems.
• Develop user-friendly guidance and promote consistent data entry and verification practices.
• Serve as a bridge between technical systems and investigative teams, ensuring tools are practical and accessible.
• Provide guidance and capacity strengthening support to CSO partners on secure data management practices, including secure data collection, transfer and storage.

Data Protection & Compliance

• Serve as Videre’s Data Protection Lead.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and other relevant data protection regulations across all systems and investigative activities.
• Develop, maintain, and update data protection policies, procedures, and data retention frameworks.
• Advise leadership and programme teams on lawful bases for processing, consent, and data minimisation principles.
• Lead staff training and awareness on data protection obligations and best practice in handling sensitive information.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Significant experience managing secure database systems in high-risk, investigative, legal, or similar environments.
• Strong experience working with large multimedia datasets.
• Demonstrated experience scoping, procuring, or migrating database or information management systems.
• Strong understanding of relational database design and structured data modelling including visualisation.
• Experience supporting verification workflows, including metadata management and chain-of-custody considerations.
• Knowledge of digital security principles, including access controls, encryption, and risk mitigation.
• Experience training and supporting non-technical teams to use complex systems effectively including those with low IT literacy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to balance technical rigor with operational practicality.
• High level of discretion and commitment to ethical handling of sensitive information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently within a collaborative team environment; this role does not have direct line management responsibility at present.
• Strong influencing skills, with the ability to build buy-in for systems, processes, and policy changes across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent listening skills, with the ability to engage reflectively and work empathetically with diverse, cross-cultural teams.

Preferred

• Experience working in human rights, accountability, journalism, or other investigative contexts.
• Familiarity with AI tools relevant to video analysis, transcription, classification, or investigative research.
• Experience developing organisational policies or guidance on responsible AI use.
• Experience integrating multiple data systems (e.g., video platforms, relational databases, case management systems).
• Understanding of evidentiary standards in international justice or accountability processes.
• Experience working with geographically dispersed or conflict-affected teams.
• Experience navigating internet shutdowns and building offline/low tech solutions.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Location: Nairobi, Kampala or Bangkok preferred. Remote applicants will be considered. Approximately 20 days travel per year expected.

Compensation: Salary is dependent on location. The equivalent of a UK salary of £65,000, plus pension contribution, will be converted according to location using ICSC scales and paid in local currency.

All staff receive:

• A minimum of 28 days leave
• Counselling and mental health support
• Annual wellbeing days