We get asked all the time about our Network Partners - who they are, how we find them and how we maintain the quality of our community. To answer this and other questions, we chatted with our Operations Specialist, Africa, to discuss how we recruit, vet and onboard our Network Partners.
Who are your Network Partners?
Network Partners are closely selected by our operations team after clearing comprehensive background and professional checks. Our Network Partners mostly comprise independent consultants, due diligence investigators, investigative journalists, and lawyers. These professions have the skillset that lends itself to the investigative services our clients need.
How do you find Network Partners?
We generally find our Network Partners through 3 broad methods:
- Recommendations
Our existing Network Partners recommend someone within their network whom they have worked with because they think they might be a good match for the GTI platform. Some recommendations also come from within the GTI team as we have a comprehensive background in the intelligence and investigations industry.
- Self referrals
Network Partners have found us through LinkedIn or through our website from where they directly reach out to us. We then arrange a call with them to find out more about the services they offer, whether they are of a sufficiently high calibre from both a professional and ethical perspective, and more generally whether they would be the right fit for us.
- Scouting
Scouting is perhaps the trickiest - but also the most successful - method of finding Network Partners. Our operations team proactively looks to identify professionals who are mutually connected and have a strong background in the intelligence and investigations industry.
Is there something in particular that you look for in a Network Partner?
We look for a variety of skills such as:
- Local Language Capabilities
Our Network Partners have strong regional and local language capabilities as this is very important when it comes to translating official or corporate records. Our Network Partners cover all European languages as well as other sought-after languages including Arabic, Turkish, Mandarin, Hindi, Japanese, Thai.
- Past experience
All our Network Partners have extensive past experience in investigative research, which allows them to be equipped with all the necessary skills to carry out the projects.
- Strong Work Ethic
We look for Network Partners who have a strong work ethic which includes being responsive, punctual and communicative. Our clients need information delivered quickly and efficiently and for that we need Network Partners who are quick to respond and keep clients informed throughout the project lifecycle.
What is your vetting process?
We have a structured vetting process that is integrated with the Network Partner onboarding process.
Once we have identified that a Network Partner is the right fit for our platform, we have an initial conversation with them to find out more about their background and work experience. Before the Network Partner signs any onboarding documents, they are required to review and agree to our Code of Conduct.
As a part of the onboarding process, Network Partners are required to provide us with two professional references which are rated by our team. We also review and assess their sample work. This rating feeds into the type of projects we assign to our Network Partners.
Our Network Partners also go through comprehensive screening checks. This includes checks to identify whether the Network Partner is politically exposed or has attracted any negative media attention. If the Network Partner is based in a high risk country, they are included into our ongoing monitoring process.
Lastly, we provide a comprehensive anti-bribery and corruption course for all Network Partners in high risk countries or those conducting high risk projects are required to take. This course provides an extensive overview of the main obligations of bribery and corruption legislation, as it applies to their work.. The goal of the course is to advance the knowledge of key elements of anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and regulations among our Network Partners.
What do you do to encourage ongoing governance?
Network Partners in high risk countries are subject to ongoing screening on a monthly basis. In addition, our Network Partners are provided with our Risk Handbook. This covers the core areas of risks involved in carrying out research and investigations, including the key things to remember and consider when carrying out such work.
We also have a strong channel of communication with our Network Partners, checking in with them frequently and any ongoing projects. We regularly flag to our Network Partners that if they have any issues with the scope of the project (eg: any safety concerns with an on-the-ground investigation), they can raise this with us. We want to make sure our Network Partners are as secure as possible while conducting their research.
Do you have a project risk management process in place?
We have an extensive project tracking system where we assess and track any project that is considered high risk from the perspective of security or potential integrity risks. All our projects are evaluated and rated based on the level of risk involved. This system helps us to identify which projects require more rigorous monitoring and/or specially qualified Network Partners.
Contact us today to get started on your first project with one of Network Partners in over 200 jurisdictions.