Intelligence Researcher

Contract: 12-month Fixed-Term Contract (with possibility of extension or permanency subject to funding)

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Location: Remote (UK-based only)

Eligibility: Applicants must be based in the UK and have the right to work in the UK

About Animal Welfare Investigations Project

Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP) is an intelligence‑led animal protection organisation working globally to investigate serious and organised cruelty.

As a small team, AWIP is looking to hire our first full-time Supervisory Intelligence Researcher. This role will focus primarily on online primate torture groups operating across South East Asia, supporting intelligence development, operational planning, and enforcement partnerships.

We are seeking a highly motivated Intelligence Researcher to join our investigations team on a 12-month fixed‑term contract. You ? provide specialist OSINT and HUMINT‑focused research support to AWIP’s investigations, producing high‑quality intelligence products for internal leadership and external law‑enforcement partners. This is a demanding role involving exposure to distressing material and complex criminal networks, but it offers a rare opportunity to directly contribute to the disruption of extreme animal cruelty.

• Collect, evaluate, and analyse open source intelligence from online platforms, forums, social media, and digital ecosystems linked to organised animal cruelty.
• Input, structure, and maintain intelligence within AWIP’s intelligence database, contributing to its ongoing development and data standards.
• Identify and propose lawful methods for the collection of HUMINT from relevant regions in South East Asia, including network mapping and vulnerability analysis.
• Conduct social engineering and controlled engagement with targets and online communities to develop intelligence leads, while ensuring compliance with legal, safeguarding, and organisational standards.
• Engage with social media platforms and internet service providers to support the identification, reporting, and disruption of content and networks linked to organised animal cruelty, ensuring all engagement is lawful and proportionate.
• Build subject matter expertise on primate torture networks and related online abuse trends, strengthening AWIP’s investigative capabilities and partner relationships.
• Produce analytical outputs including strategic assessments, problem profiles, subject profiles, and briefing notes for audiences such as law‑enforcement and AWIP’s CEO.
• Apply advanced research toolsabrid?—? with methodologies, and emerging technologies to support investigations and identify new technologies that could enhance intelligence collection or analysis.
• Support intelligence‑led operational planning and provide research input into active investigations where required.
• Travel internationally to collaborate with partners, deliver training, or support field engagements, including occasional travel to higher‑risk environments. Lead Center? and/or join enforcement operations in high‑risk countries.
• Use non‑English language sources to support research and analysis where relevant.

• Demonstrable experience or strong interest in OSINT and/or HUMINT, intelligence analysis, investigations, journalism, law enforcement, or related fields.
• Proven ability to analyse complex information and produce clear,Oban?structured intelligence outputs.
• Experience working with online harm, illicit networks, organised crime, or sensitive investigative material.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to brief both operational and senior leadership audiences.
• Ability to work independently, manage sensitive material responsibly, and meet deadlines in a remote environment.
• UK‑based with the legal right to work in the UK.’Afrique? 
• Experience using non‑English language sources relevant to South East Asia.
• Familiarity with intelligence databases, link analysis tools, or investigative platforms.
• Academic or professional background in criminology, international relations, intelligence studies, journalism, or a related discipline.
• Experience working with or briefing law enforcement.

This role involves daily exposure to distressing content. AWIP takes staff wellbeing seriously and provides appropriate support where it is required.

• A rare opportunity to work directly on serious organised animal cruelty investigations with real‑world impact.
• Fully remote working within the UK.
• Exposure to advanced investigative methodologies and international intelligence work.
• Potential for contract extension or permanent role subject to funding.

Please submit your CV outlining your relevant experience. Due to the sensitive nature of this role, successful candidates will be required to undergo appropriate background checks.