Who We Are
Civilians of Iran (CoI) is an independent documentation and analysis platform. Our work focuses on one thing: recording, analysing, and naming what is done to Iranian civilian populations by state and non-state actors operating across borders. We work to the standards of international humanitarian law. We do not sensationalise. We do not speculate. We document. Do please read our policy before any application.
We are currently expanding across several areas of work. If you bring relevant skills and share our values, we want to hear from you.
Open Volunteer Roles
Public Relations & Communications
We are looking for a communications volunteer to manage CoI's external presence and outreach strategy.
Responsibilities include drafting press releases and public-facing statements, coordinating distribution to journalists and partner organisations, monitoring media coverage of CoI's work, and supporting the platform's visibility among human rights, academic, and international policy audiences. We are looking for:
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- ☐Experience in communications, journalism, PR, or advocacy;
- ☐Strong written English;
- ☐Familiarity with news and PR agencies and reporting landscape;
- ☐Ability to work with discretion in a sensitive operational context.
Technical
CoI's documentation infrastructure, publication platform, and data systems require ongoing technical support and development.
Responsibilities may include maintaining and improving the CoI website and admin systems, supporting data management and archiving, assisting with OSINT tool integration, and contributing to the platform's long-term technical resilience. We are looking for:
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- ☐Experience in web development, systems administration, or data engineering;
- ☐Comfort working with CMS and publication systems;
- ☐Understanding of operational security practices relevant to at-risk organisations.
Design
Visual communication is central to how CoI presents data, documentation, and analysis to international audiences. A portfolio is required for this positon.
Responsibilities include designing graphics, infographics, and data visualisations for published reports; maintaining visual consistency across CoI's publication formats; and contributing to the design of any public-facing materials or campaign assets. We are looking for:
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- ☐Experience in graphic design, information design, or visual journalism;
- ☐Proficiency with AI design tools;
- ☐Ability to translate complex conflict and legal data into clear, precise visual formats.
International Law: Students & Academics
CoI's analytical work is grounded in international humanitarian law, the laws of armed conflict, and human rights frameworks. We are building a network of legal contributors who can support and strengthen that work.
We are looking for both students (advanced undergraduate or postgraduate level) in international law, international humanitarian law, or human rights law, and academics or practitioners in these fields who may contribute analysis, review, or expert commentary.
Contributions may include legal review of published analyses, original legal commentary on specific incidents or patterns, and consultation on the application of frameworks including the Geneva Conventions, Additional Protocol I, the Rome Statute, and relevant UN conventions. We are looking for:
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- ☐Strong grounding in IHL or international human rights law;
- ☐The capacity to engage with conflict documentation and apply legal frameworks to specific factual scenarios;
- ☐A commitment to rigorous, evidence-based analysis.
Oral Reporting & Field Journalism
CoI documents not only what is recorded in satellite imagery and official reports, but what is lived and witnessed. We are looking for contributors with experience in oral testimony collection, field reporting, or conflict journalism.
Responsibilities may include collecting and documenting first-hand testimony from affected civilians or witnesses, contributing field reports or on-the-ground analysis, and supporting CoI's work to humanise its documentation beyond statistical records. We are looking for:
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- ☐Experience in journalism, oral history, fieldwork, or humanitarian reporting;
- ☐Strong ethical grounding in source protection and trauma-informed interviewing;
- ☐Familiarity with the conflict and humanitarian landscape relevant to Iranian civilian populations.
Working Conditions
All CoI roles are voluntary and unpaid at this stage of the platform's development. We are an early-stage, mission-driven organisation, and we are transparent about that.
Working arrangements are remote and asynchronous. There is no fixed office, and no set hours. contributors organise their contributions around their own schedules, in coordination with the relevant division lead.
CoI applies anonymity protocols to all team members. Your identity will not be disclosed externally, and your involvement with CoI cannot be used as a CV's item, portfolio, or work experiences.
The work is serious. The team is small. The contribution is real.
How to Apply
Send your CV or portfolio, a brief note on which role you are applying for, and two to three sentences on why you want to contribute to CoI's work to:
civiliansofiran at gmail dot com
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will acknowledge receipt and aim to respond within two weeks.