Operational Mentor

About Blacksmiths Blacksmiths is a full-spectrum intelligence, security and cyber consultancy. We help organisations understand risks to their critical assets and help build human, digital and physical capabilities to defend them. We use a range of innovative methodologies, senior advisers, technical specialists and creative ideas to provide clients (both government andcommercial) with high-end, holistic security advice and capability. We currently have four teams: 1. Intelligence Capability: Building intelligence and security capability for governments and companies; 2. Security Management. Delivering programmes, training and assessments and to help understand and mitigate security risks, including insider risk; 3. Cyber Security: Advisory, assessments and pen testing for Corporate IT, Operational Technology and Cloud infrastructure. 4. Business intelligence: Commercial intelligence collection and assessment for clients who need timely access to real-world insights. About the role This is a hands-on leadership and delivery role, focused on mentoring and supporting the leadership of a newly established counter-terrorism intelligence team for a French speaking, overseas government partner. The postholder will help the new team establish its initial operating rhythm, embed effective working practices and address the practical teething problems that inevitably arise during the early stages of a new capability. The role combines mentoring, project leadership and operational problem-solving. It requires someone who can work credibly with senior counterparts, provide calm and practical guidance, and help shape a team that can conduct safe, effective and compliant intelligence collection operations and investigations. The team’s work will have a direct impact on addressing the security threats facing the recipient country. Key responsibilities Mentor and advise the leadership of a new counter-terrorism intelligence team, helping them build confidence, judgement and effective leadership practices. Support the team in establishing its initial operations, structures, routines, and governance mechanisms. Help resolve early-stage operational, managerial and process issues, providing practical and proportionate solutions to teething problems as they emerge. Guide the development of safe, effective and compliant intelligence operations and investigations, ensuring activity is conducted to high professional, legal, ethical and security standards. Advise on the translation of strategic priorities into clear intelligence requirements, operational plans, investigative lines of effort and reporting outputs. Work closely with client stakeholders and Blacksmiths colleagues to ensure delivery remains aligned with programme objectives, local context and partner needs. Identify capability gaps, training needs and process improvements, and help implement practical measures that strengthen team performance over time. Requirements The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate the following skills and experience: The ability to work professionally in spoken and written French. Availability and willingness to work for extended periods in the recipient country (working pattern subject to negotiation). Demonstrable experience of human intelligence (HUMINT) operations. Demonstrable experience of counter-terrorism operations and/or counter-terrorism intelligence work. Experience of mentoring, advising, or developing leaders and teams. Strong understanding of how to establish safe, effective, and compliant operational practices, including risk management, governance, oversight, and ethical standards. Ability to identify operational problems quickly and provide practical, credible, and sustainable solutions. Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to build trust with senior counterparts from different cultural and institutional backgrounds. A high level of personal resilience, adaptability, and professionalism in demanding environments. Desirable Experience of supporting overseas government partners or working on international security capacity-building programmes. Experience of building or reforming intelligence or investigative teams or functions. Regional experience relevant to West Africa. Role profile This role would suit a credible and experienced practitioner who can combine operational insight with mentorship, structured project delivery, and good judgement. The successful candidate will be comfortable working at pace, dealing with ambiguity and helping a new partner team become effective, professional, and sustainable. We are committed to building an inclusive organisation where different backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences are valued and respected. We actively seek candidates from backgrounds under-represented in the intelligence community and will ensure our process evaluates all candidates equitably against mission-relevant criteria. What Blacksmiths can offer £100,000 per annum. A generous discretionary project bonus to reflect the extra considerations that come with working in West Africa (subject to pre-agreed conditions). A non-contributory 9% pension scheme, generous annual leave and private health and dental care (offered for Fixed term contracts). Flexible working opportunities. We have in mind a full-time role, but we are open to different working hours and arrangements – day rate and shorter-term engagements will be considered for the right candidate. An inclusive, supportive organisation that values diversity of background and thought. Really decent colleagues. We are a tight-knit team and pride ourselves on being a diverse and friendly place to work.