Background
Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) is an independent non-profit organisation of lawyers and jurists. Working in the front lines in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, LAW empowers individuals and communities who have suffered human rights violations and abuses to obtain justice and strengthen institutions to deliver justice to them. LAW’s approach is built on four interlinked pillars: legal aid and empowerment, strategic litigation, technical assistance and advocacy and policy. Our areas of focus are: addressing discriminations, ending impunity, securing transformative justice and strengthening access to justice and the rule of law. Set up in 2013, LAW has programmes and presence in Africa, Europe, South Asia and the Middle East. Our headquarter is in Geneva, Switzerland.
The position
LAW is looking for an external expert to carry out research that will support LAW’s Ukraine Programme in conducting investigations into core international crimes committed in Ukraine. Current areas of focus include torture and unlawful detention, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, conflict-related sexual violence, cultural crimes, and crimes against children.
More about this position
These investigations rely on open sources and other evidence to support cases, primarily in foreign courts under the principles of universal and extraterritorial jurisdiction. The Open-Source Researcher will collect evidence from open sources and produce analytical reports to transform this evidence into the backbone of case files. We invite proposals from consultants with expertise in open source research at various levels (grassroot, national, regional, international).
Role overview
Reports to: Programme Manager for individual assignments
Duration: 12 months framework agreement, renewable subject to performance and funding
Location: Flexible – Remote, Kyiv Ukraine. Travel may be required depending on assignment
Hours: To reflect the assignment upon agreement
Rates: Competitive daily rates apply
Key Deliverables
The Consultant will perform a range of activities which will vary depending on the assignment, but may include any or all of the following:
* Utilize open-source investigative techniques to gather relevant and probative evidence of alleged atrocity crimes, including corroborating witness evidence, identifying and locating perpetrators, and establishing contextual elements of core international crimes committed in Ukraine.
* Monitor various sources of information, including online media, social networks, and other publicly available data, and compile evidence to support the development of case files, including for use in domestic courts through principles of universal jurisdiction.
* Prepare clear and concise analytical summaries of their investigations’ findings. These reports will be integrated into case files, inform other evidence gathering processes, and may serve the basis for advocacy efforts.
About You
* Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
* Demonstrated experience conducting OSINT-based investigations of atrocity crimes and human rights violations (3-5 years).
* Track record of techniques to effectively locate and identify information of concern in publicly available information, including data aggregators, social, news, and traditional media.
* Knowledge of programming languages, AI skills, and/or familiarity with advanced open-source tools (Maltego, IBM i2, Shadow, etc…) is highly desirable.
* Proven experience conducting financial investigations, experience with geolocation and mapping, and/or military expertise (knowledge of equipment, Russian C2, etc…) is desirable.
* Ability to determine the credibility, value, significance, and relevance of information from diverse and voluminous data sources to produce clear, concise, and timely analytic products.
* Excellent written and oral communication in English; fluent in written and oral Ukrainian; knowledge of Russian is preferred.
* Extensive knowledge of the context and day-to-day events of Russia’s war in Ukraine; knowledge of the political or military context in Russia is a plus.
* Experience employing a survivor-centered, trauma-informed approach to online and digital investigations, including knowledge of and experience with implementing international best practices including the Berkeley Protocol.
* Familiarity with the volatile and unpredictable nature of working in conflict environments.
To apply
We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may close application early if suitable candidates are identified.
To apply, please click on this link: Ukraine Open-Source Researcher
Your application should include a CV, list of past clients for whom the most closely related work was conducted and your consultancy rate (daily in USD)
At LAW, we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues, reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately.
To learn more about LAW please visit our website: www.legalactionworldwide.org.
#J-18808-Ljbffr