Purpose

Amnesty International is seeking a consultant to deliver two distinct research outputs addressing the deployment of facial recognition technologies (FRT) and their associated human rights harms. This work will directly support Amnesty's global Ban the Scan campaign and its mission to halt the invasive and discriminatory use of FRT by authorities.

The consultant's research will highlight the lived experiences of communities impacted by FRT and inform the next phase of Amnesty's campaign through a case study focused on Buenos Aires, Argentina, as well as scoping future locations for further research and advocacy.

Background

Amnesty Tech is a programme of Amnesty International focused on protecting and advancing human rights in the face of rapid technological change. Within this programme, the Algorithmic Accountability Lab (AAL) leads efforts to investigate and challenge harmful uses of AI and algorithmic systems across various domains, including policing, migration, and public services.

The Ban the Scan campaign is a flagship initiative of the AAL, working to end the proliferation of facial recognition technologies by documenting human rights violations, mobilizing communities, and advocating for systemic regulatory change. This consultancy will play a central role in deepening the campaign's evidence base and strategic reach.

Objectives and Deliverables

The main objective is to lead and deliver a robust research case study on the use and impact of FRT in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with an emphasis on its human rights consequences. This includes identifying testimonies, conducting expert and civil society interviews, and producing an output that combines multimedia and written content suitable for Amnesty's campaign site.

A secondary objective is to conduct desk research to identify and recommend 2–3 additional jurisdictions for future campaign focus, culminating in a scoping memo with relevant legal and policy analysis.

Deliverables:

• Review and build on existing scoping research on FRT in Buenos Aires.
• Identify and collect testimonies from impacted communities.
• Conduct legal, policy, and stakeholder analysis of the use of FRT.
• Produce a research output for publication on Amnesty's Ban the Scan site.
• Coordinate publication and launch, including multimedia and stakeholder input.
• Submit a 3–4-page memo identifying and analysing 2–3 potential jurisdictions for future case studies.

Timeline and Key Milestones (tbc)

• Mid-July 2025: Consultancy begins
• October 2025: Final draft of Buenos Aires research output delivered
• November 2025: Scoping memo for future jurisdictions submitted
• December 2025: Coordination and publication of Buenos Aires research

Estimated duration: 6 months (approx. 85% of time on Buenos Aires case study; 15% on jurisdictional scoping)

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience in researching technology-related human rights issues
• Expertise in mass surveillance, facial recognition, or biometric technologies
• Strong qualitative research and writing skills
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders and across disciplines
• Familiarity with international human rights law
• Fluency in English; Spanish highly desirable

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of the technology and human rights landscape in South America
• Experience centering impacted communities in research
• Familiarity with participatory and feminist research methodologies
• Prior experience with Amnesty International or similar global NGOs

Bidding Instructions

To apply, please submit the following via our recruitment platform eArcu, saving the documents to the CV section:

• A detailed proposal including your approach and methodology
• A breakdown of your fees (maximum £16,000 GBP)
• Up to two samples of relevant previous work

Accepted formats: PDF, Word, Excel or PowerPoint

Payment terms: 30 days upon receipt of a valid invoice and delivery of milestone  

WHAT WE HOPE YOU WILL DO NEXT

If you are talented, passionate about human rights and want to use your skills, knowledge and experience to change the world then we would encourage you to click ‘Apply for this Role' below.

Freedom, Justice, Equality. Let's get to work.

N.B. We reserve the right to close a vacancy BEFORE the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a change in business priorities, therefore we encourage you to apply now if you are interested.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

Amnesty International believes in a world that is fair, inclusive and equitable. Together, we're committed to being an anti-racist organisation with a diverse workforce that can better tackle the global human rights challenges that face our world today. We know that different voices, ideas, perspectives, experiences and knowledge, working together will enable us to better the lives of people around the world.

We are committed to building and sustaining an anti-racist, culturally diverse and inclusive organisation, where all employees feel valued, have a sense of belonging and an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential. We therefore strongly welcome applications from suitably qualified people regardless of their background; including underrepresented groups, LGBTQI+ individuals and those who may have or are living with a disability.

To see our full statement please visit this link: Racial equality, equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion policy - Amnesty International

Amnesty International is committed to being an inclusive employer and providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with the team by emailing recruitment@amnesty.org