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Investigators - Ukraine Program (Kharkiv Project)

Location: Remote 

Contract type: Consultancy contract 

Compensation: Commensurate with experience 

Term: 6 months

Deadline for applying: We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible and will review applications on a rolling basis. 



I. About Project Expedite Justice 


PEJ, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was founded in 2016 by Cynthia Tai, a former prosecutor in the U.S. and at the International Criminal Court in the Hague. With an increase in mass atrocities worldwide, PEJ believes now more than ever that there is an overwhelming need to empower local populations seeking justice. By partnering with local organizations, we train lawyers, investigators, and human rights defenders to have the skills necessary to collect and preserve evidence in a manner that meets international legal standards.


Together, PEJ’s staff and Board have decades of experience in international legal matters. Working in partnership with local organizations, we bring evidence of atrocities to the forefront in legal arenas, including international, regional, or national systems.



II. Project Description


This project focuses on the Russian State’s commission of mass atrocities against Ukrainian citizens, specifically in Kharkiv Oblast. Phase I of the project is a thorough preliminary assessment focusing on the legal needs that are raised and remain unmet. It will also identify the local actors, such as the sections and members of the Prosecutor General’s Office or the NGOs active in the Oblast, and liaise with the Ukrainian Armed Forces as necessary. This phase will identify crimes and identify the national actors addressing them with the view towards creating a needs assessment.



III. Duties and deliverables


The investigators will work directly with PEJs senior management team, under the overall supervision and strategic guidance of the Program Director (Ukraine) and the coordination and support of the Lead investigator, to manage and implement the activities of the Ukraine-Kharkiv Project and achieve the goals of the project.


The Investigators will be responsible for:


  • Identifying and sharing information on national actors that appear to be appropriate partners.

  • Producing a map of national, non-governmental and regional actors, to identify the damages and victimization, to evaluate the level of the existing response, to garner a thorough understanding of identified news / gaps that other actors / NGOs are not addressing, conducting remote screenings and field and photo interviews while avoiding duplications / re-traumatization of survivors.

  • Meeting with stakeholders working in Kharkiv or surrounding areas with the aim of identifying specific needs and gaps in processing crime scenes and starting to work with and support them in addressing the gaps identified.

  • Contributing to the needs assessment setting forth actors, their roles, the scope of their capacity, and categorizing their needs.

  • Contributing to the project reports due every six weeks on progress.


The investigators will also participate as relevant in the following activities:


  • PEJ organizational meetings.

  • Contribute to concept development, proposal writing and other fundraising activities.

  • Conduct research and drafting legal analysis memoranda on a variety of issues to support partners; and

  • Prepare drafts and provide input for regular reporting needs.

  • Report and document all activities related to the project or the organization.



IV. Qualifications


  • A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in investigative work in criminal proceedings at national and international level.

  • Work experience gathering evidence, screening and interviewing witnesses (suspects, victims, experts, context) and conducting open source investigation.

  • A good knowledge and experience of international and criminal law and procedure.

  • A university degree in law, international law, criminal investigation, police studies or related fields. An advanced university degree in the aforementioned field is desired.

  • Substantial field investigation experience is needed and experience managing and coordinating a field team would be an asset.

  • Experience in advising and mentoring investigators and lawyers and/or in designing and delivering training sessions on international criminal law and human rights law.

  • Ability to work independently and in high-pressure or complicated situations and with diverse and multinational teams.

  • Availability to travel on mission as required.

  • Technological awareness, willingness and ability to learn new technology and work with technology relevant to the job.

  • Working fluency in English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian is desired.



V. How to apply for this position:


Please send your


  • CV (max two pages)

  • Cover letter

  • Writing sample


Email recruitment@projectexpeditejustice.org with “Application for Investigator - Kharkiv” in the subject line.

PEJ is looking to fill this position as soon as possible and will review applications on a rolling basis.

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