Intelligence Analyst Training Program
About the role
TACTICAL REPORT
Intelligence Analyst Training Program
Overview
Tactical Report produces intelligence on MENA politics, defense, and energy for decision-makers who need insights, not news, to make informed decisions. Therefore, this program builds candidates into intelligence analysts capable of contributing to that work. It is structured in two phases over six months. Successful completion and a positive performance review may lead to a Junior Intelligence Analyst contract.
Candidate Profile
This program is open only to recent Lebanese university graduates in Political Science, International Relations, History, Economics, or related fields, with strong analytical thinking and writing clarity in Arabic and English. Beyond academic background, we are looking for people who follow MENA politics, defense dynamics, energy markets, economics, and finance out of genuine intellectual interest.
Program Structure
| Phase | Duration | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Intelligence Foundations (Unpaid) | 2-3 Months | Build analytical, research, and methodological foundations |
| Phase 2: Analyst Integration (Paid) | 2-3 Months | Contribute to live intelligence production under supervision |
Phase 1: Intelligence Foundations
| Module | Focus |
|---|---|
| Intelligence Methodology | What intelligence is and how it differs from journalism or academic research. TR's analytical framework and how clients use intelligence to make informed decisions. |
| Working Environment | TR's structure, editorial workflows, source confidentiality protocols, and internal communication. |
| Horizon Scanning | Establishing a baseline of understanding. Monitoring emerging developments across Politics, Defense, and Energy. Deep-dive thematic research and tracking. |
| Source Management | Source identification, reliability assessment, and validation. Introduction to RFIs — their structure, purpose, and use. |
| Analytical Writing | Structuring intelligence output: assessment, judgment, implication. Writing concise, decision-ready notes — not descriptions, not commentary. |
Phase 2: Analyst Integration
Candidates are embedded in one vertical — Politics, Defense, Energy, or Economics — and contribute to live production under a Senior Intelligence Analyst.
| Module | Focus |
|---|---|
| RFI Development | Formulating targeted intelligence requests, conducting background research, and validating incoming information from source networks. |
| Intelligence Note Production | Collecting, triangulating, and validating information. Drafting structured Intelligence Notes under Senior Analyst review. |
| Weekly Intelligence Contribution | Contributing to the Intelligence Weekly. Working within the editorial cycle: deadlines, review stages, and publishing. |
| Solo Output | Independently producing at least one Intelligence Note or Weekly section, signed off by the Editor-in-Chief. Serves as the Phase 2 milestone assessment. |
Evaluation and Supervision
Formal reviews are conducted at the end of each phase. Phase 1 determines readiness to proceed; Phase 2 determines eligibility for conversion to a Junior Intelligence Analyst role.
| Criterion | What is being assessed |
|---|---|
| Analytical Judgment | Identifying significant developments and forming a reasoned intelligence judgment. |
| Source Assessment | Evaluating credibility, identifying gaps, and validating information before production. |
| RFI Quality | Formulating precise, well-scoped requests that generate actionable intelligence responses. |
| Writing Clarity | Concise, well-structured articles written for decision-makers, not general readers. |
| Editorial Compliance | Adherence to TR's standards, formatting, and deadlines. |
| Intellectual Initiative | Independent engagements beyond assigned tasks. |
| Supervisor | Role |
|---|---|
| Editor-in-Chief | Program oversight, phase reviews, solo output sign-off, and conversion decision. |
| Intelligence Analysts (Senior) | Day-to-day supervision in Phase 2; feedback on analytical quality and production standards. |
| Intelligence Researchers (Junior) | Support and review across both phases, editorial workflow, and formatting compliance. |
Tactical Report • Intelligence Analyst Training Program • Internal Document • Confidential
Application requirements & process
We read and consider every application. Candidates unsure whether their background fits are encouraged to apply and to say what they know best. Interviews include a conversation about the applicant's beat and a short, paid reporting exercise.
Application package checklist
Posted