Senior Specialist, Opposition Research

Purpose:

• The Senior Specialist, Opposition Research focuses on the collection, validation, and organization of information related to opposition actors, networks, and narratives in order to mitigate risks to Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), its affiliates, and sexual and reproductive health care. The Senior Specialist integrates opposition research with broader risk information related to procurement, personnel, events, and facilities.

Engagement:

• Coordinate with intelligence and other internal teams on risk, aligning collection priorities with organizational needs and upcoming operational or strategic initiatives.

• Share findings and situational updates with cross-functional stakeholders, supporting coordinated understanding of opposition activity.

• Participate in briefings, scenario planning, and response discussions as requested.

• Contribute to the development of a forward-looking intelligence program that supports executive decision-making and security risk management.

• Foster a collaborative, mission-driven culture that prioritizes discretion, confidentiality, and inclusion.

Delivery:

• Execute open-source collection plans to identify and document opposition activity, narratives, and emerging risks relevant to PPFA, affiliates, and sexual and reproductive health care.

• Conduct open-source and database research to support due diligence on event participants, vendors, partner organizations, and individuals engaged in organizational activities in alignment with established privacy, legal, and other policies.

• Monitor and track disinformation and misinformation narratives that could influence brand, reputational, or operational risk.

• Produce concise research summaries, opposition profiles, and backgrounders that inform risk assessments, procurement reviews, personnel vetting, and event security planning.

• Maintain organized data repositories and knowledge management systems.

• Complete special projects and research tasks as assigned.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• 2 years of experience in investigative research, intelligence collection, open-source research, or risk reporting, preferably in a security environment.

•  Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, Security Studies, Journalism, Communications, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience conducting thorough Internet-based research, including Boolean logic, search engine, and database resources, as well as utilizing Internet sources, such as data exploitation, and commercial and industry-based databases.

• Ability to recognize and respond to problems with potential solutions in a highly professional, confidential, and sensitive manner.

• Ability to collect, retain, and memorialize historical and recent data on opposition personalities, organizations, and incidents related to anti-sexual reproductive health care violence and disruption.

• Occasionally available outside of normal working hours to support operational needs.

• Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly with a dynamic, fast-moving team, completing multiple tasks with poise, accuracy, and confidence.

• Flexibility and ability to adapt quickly changing priorities and ambiguous situations.

• Commitment to PPFA’s mission and diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly surrounding race equity.

• A deep commitment to Planned Parenthood’s mission of promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health