SENIOR RESEARCHER

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
SENIOR RESEARCHER
Americas Division
(New York or Washington DC Office preferred)
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking highly-qualified applicants for the position of Senior Researcher. This position reports to the Managing Director of the Americas Division. The position will be based preferably in New York or Washington, DC.

Responsibilities:

1-Helping develop and implement a research and advocacy agenda and strategies to improve respect for human rights in the region;

2-Writing reports, articles, and press releases, as well as submissions to international bodies, and doing so in a concise, accurate, and timely manner;

3-Overseeing the work of other researchers, editing their reports and other material and assisting, and advising them on research missions;

4-Monitoring human rights issues in specific countries by conducting fact-finding missions and collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources; 

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

6-Contributing to internal HRW policy debates on issues relevant to his or her expertise and areas of focus;

7-Working closely with local and regional human rights organizations to ensure that the work of HRW complements and enhances their own work; and

8-Carrying out other duties as required.

Qualifications:

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

Experience:  Minimum five years experience working on human rights or related issues, preferably in Latin America.  Fluency in English and Spanish are 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 draft and edit high-quality written material under tight deadlines is required.

4-Ability to identify advocacy opportunities and help develop and implement advocacy strategies is required.

5-Ability to respond quickly to crises and conflicts as they may occur is required.

6-Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish are required.

7-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.

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

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

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

11-Strong public-speaking skills are essential.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess current US work authorization valid for a minimum of two years from start date. S/he must be willing to make regular trips to the field. This position will preferably be based in in New York or Washington, DC.

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, salary requirements, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to americasjobs@hrw.org. Please use “Senior Researcher Ref PRO-14-1027-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.