Open-Source Researcher (Ukraine) - Consultancy

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 headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.

Overview  

LAW is looking for external expertise from an individual or organization to carry out open-source research on a particular assignment in support LAW's Ukraine Programme. The assignment will support an ongoing investigation into 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.

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 the case file.  We invite proposals from consultants with expertise in open source research at various levels (grassroot, national, regional, international).

Duration:            Estimated 3 month assignment

Assignment

1. 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.
2. Prepare clear and concise analytical summaries of the investigations' findings. These reports will be integrated into case files, inform other evidence gathering processes, and may serve the basis for advocacy efforts.

More detail on the specific assignment will be provided at the interview stage and after the selection of a consultant or consultants

Qualifications and Experience Required

• Proven track record conducting OSINT-based investigations of atrocity crimes and human rights violations.
• Track record of using 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.

How to Apply

HR Bamboo Link: https://legalactionworldwide.bamboohr.com/careers/59

All applications should include a consultancy rate (daily in USD). Applications from individuals should include a CV and description of previous similar work completed. Applications from companies or organizations should include registration information, CVs of staff members expected to work on the project, fee and cost structure, as well as description of previous similar work completed.

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.