Remote OSINT Investigator: Afghan Affairs in London

Please note: This is not an active vacancy. We are building a talent pool for future opportunities in this area. If you're interested in being considered when a role becomes available, we'd love to hear from you.

The Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) is an independent organisation dedicated to exposing human rights violations and threats to democracy. We achieve this through open source research, digital investigations, capacity-building with local partners, and collaboration with media to amplify our impact.

CIR was born out of a determination to expose those spreading harm – online and offline – around the world, particularly in areas of violent conflict, such as Ukraine, Sudan and Myanmar. Our projects are at the forefront of efforts to investigate and document human rights abuses, war crimes, harms targeting women and minorities. We work closely with multilateral and national justice accountability bodies.

Contract Type: Contractor

Hours needed: Full time and part time roles considered.

Location: Remote.

Languages: You must be able to speak and write English. You must also have a proficiency in languages and dialects spoken in Afghanistan (Farsi Dari, Pashto). Urdu is desirable but not essential.

Closing date: 30 June 2026 at 23:55pm.

Joining our talent pool means you'll be among the first to hear when relevant opportunities arise. While there is no guarantee of a position, our talent community is the first place we look when hiring.

What Joining the Talent Pool Means:

• You’ll be kept on our radar for future roles.
• When a suitable position becomes available, our team will contact you directly.
• We’ll keep your application on file (with your permission) for up to 12 months.
• You’ll be among the first to hear about opportunities matching your skills.

About the Role

The OSINT Investigator utilises their open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigation skills to conduct research and analysis of open-source information in support of CIR Afghan projects' objectives. As an OSINT Investigator, you will use your expertise to acquire and analyse information from open sources, extracting the key pieces of information to write high-quality narrative reports and project products that are comprehensive, verified, accurate, and placed correctly within the context of Afghan affairs. You will work with and support the Investigations Lead, ensuring that your analysis is focused effectively to meet project tasking and product priorities.

Main responsibilities

• Employ open-source intelligence (OSINT) and social media intelligence (SOCMINT) tools, techniques and methodologies to conduct comprehensive investigations of incidents, events, trends and actors, formatting your findings in a manner suitable for reporting.
• Conduct research and analysis as directed in support of project reporting objectives.
• Conduct social media monitoring, ensuring that data collection, categorisation, preservation and processing are carried out in accordance with project protocols.
• Conduct focused research as directed, employing verification techniques such as geolocation and chrono-location.
• Synthesise your findings into compelling, informative, and engaging narrative reporting that captures key developments and highlights areas of interest.
• Utilise your language skills to investigate the Afghan information environment, assisting with translations where necessary.
• Develop and maintain an awareness of understanding of Afghan affairs, including social, political, security and economic dynamics.
• Work collaboratively with fellow investigators.
• Present investigations in formats appropriate for reports to donors or for publication on social media platforms, ensuring findings, methodology and evidence are communicated clearly and effectively.
• Utilise your language skills to assist the team in its efforts to train other organisations and individuals, including providing such training directly yourself.

Additional Responsibilities

• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and impact of project activities.
• Provide ad hoc assistance to project delivery as required.

Experience needed:

• Knowledge of Afghan history, culture and politics.
• Understanding of key security, human rights and political developments in Afghanistan and region.
• Proven track record in OSINT-driven investigations.
• Proficient in languages and dialects spoken in Afghanistan (Farsi Dari, Pashto, and Urdu).
• Experience in carrying out media monitoring projects with sizeable datasets.
• Expertise in using OSINT tools, platforms, and methodologies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate technical terminology for lay audiences and to support clear, concise and timely reporting.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and complete the application form questions. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, which can be conducted remotely unless specified otherwise. CIR encourages applicants from under-represented communities. CIR is an equal opportunities employer. If you require adjustments or additional support to complete this process, please let us know in your application.