Application Guide

How to Apply for Ukraine Researcher

at Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

🏢 About Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

OCCRP is a global network of investigative journalists that has broken major stories like the Panama Papers and the Azerbaijani Laundromat. As a nonprofit, mission-driven organization, it offers the chance to do impactful work that holds powerful people and institutions accountable, with a collaborative and supportive team culture.

About This Role

As a Ukraine Researcher, you will be at the forefront of exposing corruption and organized crime in Ukraine, conducting deep-dive background checks and analyzing complex financial documents. Your work will directly support journalists in producing stories that can lead to policy changes and prosecutions, making a tangible difference in the fight against corruption.

💡 A Day in the Life

Start your day by checking in with journalists on Slack for urgent research requests. Spend the morning digging through Ukrainian corporate registries and court records to map out a network of shell companies. In the afternoon, you might analyze a set of property deeds or draft a research report. You'll also attend a virtual team meeting to discuss progress on a long-term investigation into corruption in the energy sector.

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🎯 Who Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project Is Looking For

  • Native-level fluency in both Ukrainian and English, with the ability to write clear, concise research reports in English.
  • Proven experience in investigative research, such as from journalism, law, or finance, with a track record of uncovering hidden information.
  • Deep familiarity with Ukrainian public records systems (e.g., state registries, court databases) and ability to obtain records from Russia as well.
  • Tenacious and detail-oriented, with the patience to follow leads through mountains of documents and the curiosity to ask 'what else?'

📝 Tips for Applying to Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project

1

In your cover letter, reference a specific OCCRP investigation or story that inspired you, and explain how your research skills could have contributed.

2

Highlight any experience with open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools or databases like the Ukrainian state registry of legal entities.

3

If you have a portfolio of research reports or investigative pieces, include links or attach samples – OCCRP values concrete evidence of your work.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize research projects that required document analysis and cross-referencing multiple sources.

5

Since the role is remote, demonstrate your ability to work independently and manage time across time zones, perhaps mentioning past remote work experience.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your passion for investigative journalism and fighting corruption, specifically in Ukraine.', 'Your fluency in Ukrainian and English, and your ability to navigate Ukrainian public records.', 'Specific examples of your research skills, such as a time you uncovered a hidden connection or analyzed complex documents.', "Your understanding of OCCRP's mission and how your work would contribute to their global impact."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read OCCRP's recent investigations on Ukraine, such as those related to the war, oligarchs, or corruption in energy sector.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the Ukrainian state registries and databases (e.g., the Unified State Register of Legal Entities, the Register of Real Rights).
  • → Understand OCCRP's organizational structure and the role of the research team within the broader newsroom.
  • → Look into OCCRP's training programs for journalists – you may be asked to contribute to those.
Visit Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through how you would conduct a background check on a Ukrainian politician and their family members.
2 Describe a time you had to dig through a large volume of documents to find a key piece of information. How did you stay organized?
3 How do you verify the authenticity of public records from Ukrainian or Russian sources?
4 What is your experience with OSINT tools? Give an example of a tool you used and what you found.
5 Why are you interested in working for OCCRP specifically, and what do you know about our recent investigations in Ukraine?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention OCCRP or Ukraine specifically – it shows lack of genuine interest.
  • Overstating your language proficiency; be honest about your level of Ukrainian and English, as you'll be tested.
  • Ignoring the requirement to obtain Russian public records; if you have no experience with Russian databases, acknowledge it and show willingness to learn.
  • Providing vague examples of research; be specific and quantitative where possible (e.g., 'I analyzed 500+ corporate documents to trace money flows').

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project!

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