Researcher, LGBT Rights Program at Human Rights Watch

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a research and advocacy agenda that focuses on improving respect for the human rights of LGBT people in Africa;
• Monitor and document human rights practices by conducting fact-finding missions and collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others in the field;
• Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, dispatches, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings of your research;
• Develop and implement local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
• Present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
• Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community;
• Work closely with colleague non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local and regional human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work;
• Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
• Deliver outputs in a timely manner and being consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the LGBT rights program and the Africa Division;
• Assist the LGBT Rights Program and the Development and Outreach Department in conducting fundraising;
• Travel domestically and internationally, as required, in order to carry out research and advocacy;
• Work flexible hours as needed to accommodate developing and urgent events; and
• Carry out any other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, African studies or social sciences, or equivalent experience in human rights or related work, is required.
• Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of directly-related experience working on human rights, with a demonstrable knowledge of LGBT rights, is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required. Fluency in French is highly desirable.
• Ability to identify, prioritize, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments on LGBT rights issues in a timely and sophisticated fashion is required.
• Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims of abuse, witnesses, and government officials, are required.
• Ability to develop and implement realistic and effective local and international advocacy strategies and tactics in order to identify and seize advocacy opportunities is required.
• Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, and the ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure with a broad range of people and as a part of a team are all required.
• Ability to produce high-quality written material under tight deadlines, excellent editing skills, and a dynamic public speaking ability are all required.
• Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials and external media partners are required.
• Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about the global and local media environments and how to use the media and electronic media to further advocacy goals is strongly preferred.
• Solid field research and documentation skills are highly desirable.