Open-Source Researcher 

Ukrainian Archive

Terms of Reference

About Us

Ukrainian Archive is a programme of Mnemonic, a non-profit organization dedicated to archiving, investigating, and memorialising digital open-source information documenting human rights violations and international crimes. Building on the work of the Syrian, Yemeni, and Sudanese Archives, the Ukrainian Archive was established in 2022 in close cooperation with Ukrainian civil society organisations in response to the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Our mission is to preserve, verify, and analyse open-source material related to the ongoing conflict and its impact on civilians. We support accountability, advocacy, and transitional justice initiatives by monitoring alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law and by conducting both closed and public-facing open-source investigations. We also train Ukrainian partners in digital evidence preservation.

Our multidisciplinary team includes human rights lawyers, technologists, political scientists, and OSINT researchers working together to hold perpetrators accountable and provide reliable documentation for justice efforts.

About the Opportunity

We are looking for an Open-Source Researcher who combines strong analytical skills with empathy, professionalism, and curiosity. You will play a key role in monitoring, identifying, archiving, and analysing digital open-source material to support ethical investigations into potential violations of international humanitarian and criminal law.

You will work closely with a small, collaborative, and geographically dispersed team. Training on Mnemonic’s tools and methodologies will be provided.

Please note: This position is open only to individuals who are based in Ukraine.

Key Responsibilities

Monitoring and Source Management

• Track and analyse developments in Ukraine and the region, with a focus on human rights and international law violations. The process involves reviewing open-source material (social media, official websites, etc.) that may contain graphic or violent content, as such information is often necessary for documenting attacks on civilians, arbitrary detentions, torture, enforced disappearances, or other violations.
• Maintain and expand archived sources to ensure relevance and integrity.

Data Collection, Verification, and Analysis

• Identify, collect, and archive at-risk of removal digital content.
• Apply verification techniques such as geolocation, metadata analysis, and cross-referencing.
• Tag and process audio-visual material using Mnemonic’s Elfehrest annotation platform.

Open-Source Investigations

• Contribute to research plans and investigative themes and engage constructively with team members as part of the internal review process.
• Conduct in-depth open-source investigations independently and as part of a team.
• Draft clear, analytical research outputs for accountability processes and public-facing investigations.
• Collaborate with other Mnemonic programmes, human rights organisations, and media partners.

Training and Capacity Building

• Support partners in adopting tools and methods used on Mnemonic’s platform.

Professional Development and Innovation

• Attend workshops, training sessions, and thematic events in Ukraine and abroad.
• Stay informed about emerging tools, technologies, and trends relevant to OSINT.

About You

We’re looking for a strong professional and a genuinely kind, collaborative person.

Required Skills and Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in open-source investigations (human rights, conflict monitoring, or accountability preferred).
• Experience working with human rights organisations, media outlets, or legal actors is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with advanced OSINT tools, including social media analysis, geospatial tools, audiovisual verification, and metadata analysis.
• Excellent understanding of the armed conflict in Ukraine and its socio-political context.
• Fluency in English and strong analytical writing skills.
• Proficiency in Ukrainian and Russian.
• High standards of operational and digital security.
• Ability to collaborate respectfully in a multicultural team across time zones.
• Soft skills: kindness, curiosity, critical thinking, attention to detail.

Preferred Skills

• Experience conducting journalistic investigations.
• Ability to apply IHL, IHRL, and ICL frameworks in the analysis of violations.
• Experience delivering OSINT training.
• Familiarity with Ukraine’s media landscape.
• Experience with data visualisation tools.
• Knowledge of database management and incident tracking systems.

The Ukrainian Archive is a small, multilingual team driven by collaboration, trust, and meaningful impact. We value respect, flexibility, and creativity, and we prioritise results over rigid office structures.

What We Offer

• A 12-month consultancy contract (20 days per month), with the possibility of extension depending on available funding.
• A daily consultancy fee of 125 EUR (all taxes included).
• Internal and external training opportunities to support your professional growth.
• Access to digital security tools and resources.

How to Apply

Mnemonic is an inclusive and equal-opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. Formal education is less important than experience and a demonstrated track record.

Please submit:

• your CV;
• a cover letter describing your relevant experience and an indication of the preferred starting date (1 page max);
• contact details for two references.

to [email protected] by November 30, 2025, with the subject: “Open-Source Researcher – Ukrainian Archive”

Start date: As soon as possible.

Recruitment process: Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to an initial online interview during the week of December 8. Shortlisted finalists will then be invited to a second round of interviews and a short written test.