RESEARCHER ON BRAZIL

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
RESEARCHER ON BRAZIL
Americas Division
(São Paulo Office)
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking highly-qualified applicants for the position of Researcher on Brazil. This position reports to the Managing Director of the Americas Division. The position will be based in São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Responsibilities:

1. Work closely with the Brazil Director to develop and implement a research and advocacy agenda focusing on  Brazil;

2. Monitor and document human rights practices and violations in Brazil by conducting fact-finding missions and collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources, including government agencies and institutions, local media, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, and others in the field;

3. Write and publicize reports, briefing memos, statements, op-eds, articles, and press releases, as well as submissions to international bodies, in a concise, accurate, and timely manner;

4. Work closely with the Brazil Director to build and implement the Brazil office communication strategy;

5. Respond promptly to queries from the media, the public, and colleagues in the human rights community;

6. Work closely with local and regional human rights organizations to ensure that the work of HRW in Brazil complements and enhances their own work;

7. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications: 

Education:  An advanced (graduate) degree in law, international relations, journalism, Latin American regional studies, social sciences and/or extensive experience in human rights or related work are required.

Experience:  Extensive experience working on human rights or related issues in Brazil, including time spent living in the country, is essential.  Fluency in English and Portuguese is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Ability to research and analyze complex human rights issues in a rigorous, nuanced and efficient manner is required.

2. Ability to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims of abuse, witnesses, and government officials, is required.

3. Ability to monitor human rights developments in Brazil and to identify and prioritize issues to work on is required.

4. Ability to produce high-quality written material in English and Portuguese under tight deadlines is required.

5. Ability to identify advocacy opportunities and advise the Americas division in developing and implementing advocacy strategies is required.

6. Ability to respond quickly to crises as they may occur is required.

7. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Portuguese are required.

8. Ability to think strategically about the global and local media environments and how to use the print and electronic media to further advocacy goals is desirable.

9. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is preferred.

10. Strong interpersonal skills, in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, and others, is essential.

11. Strong initiative and follow-through, capacity to think creatively and strategically, ability to multi-task effectively, and ability to work under pressure are required.

12. Strong public-speaking skills are desirable.

Salary and Benefits:  HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.  HRW will pay reasonable relocation expenses and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

Contact:  Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to americasjobs@hrw.org. Please use “Brazil Researcher Ref AME-14-1034-A” as the subject of your email.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.