Animal Welfare Investigations Project (AWIP)
Remote, UK-based with occasional international and regular domestic travel | Full-time | Intelligence Researcher

About Animal Welfare Investigations Project

Animal Welfare Investigations Project is a frontline animal protection organisation working to investigate animal cruelty.

We are looking for an Intelligence Researcher to support our investigations by lawfully gathering, assessing, organising and presenting information that can help identify offenders, locate animals at risk, support operational decision-making, and progress animal welfare investigations.

Overall purpose of the role

The Intelligence Researcher will provide research and intelligence support across AWIP’s investigative work.

You will help develop intelligence from a range of lawful sources, including open-source material, social media, internal reports, supporter/public submissions, case records, and information from partner agencies where appropriate.

You will produce clear, accurate and well-structured intelligence reports, briefings, research summaries, subject profiles, timelines and evidential material to support AWIP’s investigations and enforcement-related activity.

You will also act as an internal specialist for open-source research, online evidence capture, social media investigations and intelligence development relating to organised crimes against animals.

Key responsibilities

Intelligence research and investigation support

You will:

• Conduct lawful research into suspected animal cruelty.
• Support AWIP investigations by identifying relevant individuals, locations, businesses, online accounts, networks, assets, vehicles, websites, advertisements, social media profiles and other intelligence leads.
• Review and assess public reports, complaints, referrals, online content and intelligence submissions to identify risk, urgency and investigative opportunities.
• Produce concise and accurate research products including intelligence reports, briefings, timelines, subject profiles, location profiles, link charts, case summaries and other intelligence products.
• Help fill intelligence gaps in ongoing investigations by identifying what information is missing and carrying out targeted research to develop the case further.
• Support major or urgent incidents where research assistance is required, including cases involving animals at immediate risk.

Open-source and online research

You will:

• Conduct open-source research across websites, social media platforms, online marketplaces, forums, public records and other lawful sources.
• Capture, preserve and organise online evidence in a way that maintains provenance, accuracy and evidential integrity.
• Monitor trends in online animal cruelty, illegal puppy trade, emerging threats and relevant offender behaviour.
• Identify patterns, repeat subjects, linked profiles, aliases, contact details, phone numbers, addresses, locations and recurring methods of operation.
• Use research tools, databases and investigative techniques proportionately, lawfully and ethically.
• Maintain awareness of changing technology, social media platforms, privacy settings, online behaviour and investigative methodology.

Reports, briefings and evidence

You will:

• Produce high-quality written reports that are clear, factual, objective and suitable for operational, intelligence or evidential use.
• Ensure information is properly sourced, assessed, dated and presented with appropriate caveats.
• Maintain accurate audit trails showing how information was obtained, assessed and used.
• Prepare research summaries and supporting material for internal case reviews, enforcement referrals, partner agency briefings and legal review.
• Where required, assist with the preparation of witness statements or supporting documentation relating to research you have conducted.
• Be prepared, where necessary, to explain your research methodology and findings clearly and professionally.

Data, compliance and safeguarding

You will:

• Handle sensitive information lawfully, carefully and securely.
• Work in accordance with data protection requirements, human rights principles, internal policies, confidentiality expectations and relevant legal frameworks.
• Ensure intelligence is recorded accurately and proportionately within AWIP’s systems.
• Identify and escalate risk, including risks to animals, staff, volunteers, members of the public, witnesses, suspects, partner agencies or AWIP’s reputation.
• Ensure information is sanitised appropriately before wider sharing.
• Understand the difference between intelligence, evidence, opinion and speculation, and ensure your work is grounded in facts.

Internal and external collaboration

You will:

• Work closely with AWIP’s investigations, prosecutions, operations, supporter care, social media and communications teams.
• Provide research support to colleagues handling complaints, public reports, media enquiries, urgent welfare concerns or online cruelty trends.
• Liaise professionally with external agencies, rescues, enforcement bodies, veterinary professionals, local authorities or other partners where appropriate.
• Help identify when information should be shared internally or externally, and support lawful and proportionate information sharing.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with trusted internal and external contacts.

Knowledge, systems and improvement

You will:

• Help develop AWIP’s research processes, intelligence templates, checklists, standard operating procedures and quality standards.
• Contribute to an internal knowledge base covering research methods, online platforms, common offender tactics, emerging trends and best practice.
• Support the continued professionalisation of AWIP’s intelligence function.
• Keep up to date with relevant legislation, investigative standards, digital research techniques, animal welfare issues and online safety considerations.
• Assist with statistical returns, trend analysis, case reviews and management reporting where required.

Essential

You will need:

• Experience carrying out research using the internet, social media, public records or other information sources.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, factual and well-structured reports.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good judgement and the ability to distinguish between verified information, assumptions, intelligence and evidence.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using online platforms, databases, spreadsheets and case management systems.
• The ability to work independently, manage your own workload and meet deadlines.
• A calm, professional and resilient approach when dealing with distressing animal cruelty content.
• A strong commitment to animal protection and AWIP’s mission.
• Understanding of confidentiality, data protection and the need to handle sensitive information responsibly.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues across different teams.
• A full UK driving licence, where occasional travel may be required.

Desirable

It would be helpful if you have:

• Experience in open-source intelligence, intelligence analysis, investigations, enforcement, animal welfare, research, or a similar field.
• Training or qualifications in open-source intelligence, intelligence analysis, investigations, digital evidence, animal welfare, criminology, law, forensic science or a related area.
• Knowledge of animal welfare legislation, criminal investigations, court proceedings or enforcement processes.
• Experience preparing evidence packs, investigation reports, chronologies, subject profiles or briefing documents.
• Experience using tools for online evidence capture, social media research, mapping, link analysis or data organisation.
• Experience working with law enforcement, local authorities, animal welfare organisations, rescues, legal teams or other external agencies.
• Experience as an RSPCA Inspector, Local Authority Animal Welfare Officer, Trading Standards Intelligence, Police Wildlife Crime Officer, or other similar roles.

Personal qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Curious, methodical and persistent.
• Calm under pressure.
• Comfortable working with difficult and distressing material.
• Objective, fair and evidence-led.
• Highly organised.
• Discreet and trustworthy.
• Comfortable working in a small, fast-moving organisation.
• Motivated by protecting animals and holding abusers accountable.
• Willing to learn, improve systems and help build AWIP’s intelligence capability.

Additional requirements

Because of the nature of AWIP’s work, this role may involve exposure to distressing images, videos, reports and descriptions of animal cruelty. Support and guidance will be provided, but applicants should be aware of the emotional resilience required.

You may occasionally be required to support urgent cases, major incidents or time-sensitive investigations outside ordinary priorities.

You may also be asked to carry out other reasonable duties consistent with the role and the needs of the organisation, including projects carried out on behalf of the CEO.

Pay: £28,500.00-£32,500.00 per year

Work Location: Remote