JOB PURPOSE

Sitting within the Evidence Lab, the Investigator, Arms and Armed Conflict will work with research teams across Amnesty International, including regional and thematic specialists, to proactively lead and support investigations into lethal and less-lethal weapons, operations by militaries, police, and other security-forces, arms transfers and the changing nature of armed conflict, with a focus on their human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) implications.

Combining advanced expertise in weapons and armed conflict with strong investigative, open-source research and writing skills, the postholder will design and conduct multidisciplinary investigations, and produce rigorous, accessible and visually compelling research outputs.

A central part of the role will be to help develop Amnesty International's work on new warfare, investigating the human rights impacts of evolving technologies and systems in armed conflict and other crises, including hybrid warfare, remote and autonomous weapons, targeting and other AI enabled military technologies.

The role will contribute to Amnesty International's efforts to produce specific findings about responsibility for grave violations, including identifying relevant individuals, military and security-force and law enforcement units, corporate actors, suppliers and other entities based on rigorous research and strong evidence.

The role will also provide specialist analysis and advice to Amnesty International research teams responding to conflicts, protests and other crises, including on weapons identification, remote battle damage assessments and post-blast analysis, attribution and responsibility, the conduct of hostilities and use of force, weapons transfers and supply chains and other relevant topics.

LOCATION
The preferred location location for this role is London, however we will also consider Mexico City, Dakar, Nairobi and Johannesburg. 

The salary on offer will be dependent on the location.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with regional offices, thematic programmes and researchers to proactively identify research opportunities and lead or support multidisciplinary investigations relating to weapons, military, security-force and law enforcement operations, arms transfers and changing forms of warfare, drawing on monitoring of conflicts, technological developments, digital evidence and emerging human rights concerns.
• Lead or substantially contribute to reports, briefings, press releases and multimedia outputs, translating complex findings into clear and accessible language for non-technical audiences.
• Work with researchers, legal and policy advisers to ensure findings are well supported and grounded in relevant international human rights and humanitarian law standards.
• Bring a strong editorial and communications vision to investigations, combining rigorous research, compelling writing and powerful visual evidence
• Work with communications, campaigns and design colleagues to translate findings into media, multimedia, and social media content that reaches and resonates with diverse audiences.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Substantial professional experience conducting complex investigations relating to weapons, armed conflict, military,security-force or law enforcement operations, arms transfers, ideally in the context of human rights documentation, investigative journalism or another closely related public-interest field.
• Strong portfolio of advanced digital investigations/ research projects that demonstrate the ability to carry out complex research and produce high-quality outputs, showcasing advanced expertise in a digital investigations field.
• Demonstrable advanced expertise in firearms, explosive ordnance, and less-lethal weapons, including practical experience identifying weapons and ordnance from visual and documentary evidence and a strong understanding of weapons employment, explosive effects and relevant military and law-enforcement doctrine.
• Experience investigating weapons use and attack reconstruction, attribution and responsibility, military operations, arms transfers and supply chains, or emerging military technologies.
• Experience investigating the trade in and misuse of law enforcement equipment, including identifying common types of lethal and less lethal weapons and their use in human rights violations.

 
Please see attached job description for more information on responsibilities, skills and experience required.

ABOUT US

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. We reach almost every country in the world.

Our aim is simple: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, fairness, freedom and truth wherever they're denied. And whether we're applying pressure through powerful research or direct lobbying, mass demonstrations or online campaigning, we're all inspired by hope for a better world. One where human rights are respected and protected by everyone, everywhere.

At Amnesty International, we are passionate about what we do and we are proud of our achievements as a movement. To compensate our employees for the critical work they do, we reward them through a combination of an attractive and sector competitive salary and benefits package, high levels of engagement and involvement, and a commitment to employee development.

Benefits include 37 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays and grace days), pension scheme, employee assistance programme, life assurance and many more benefits designed to suit your own personal lifestyle. All of this, in a professional, engaging environment.

For further information on our benefits, please visit https://www.amnesty.org/en/careers/benefits/

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 recommend you 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