Current Opportunities at Human Rights Watch

The Opportunity

• Human Rights Watch is seeking a human rights professional to lead its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Rights Program, one of HRW’s eight thematic research and advocacy programs, made up of 9 staff.
• The LGBT Rights Program defends and promotes the rights of LGBT people globally. Focal areas include violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, criminalization of same-sex conduct, restrictions on freedoms of expression and association, abuses in medical settings, and socio-economic rights including access to education, healthcare, and employment.
• The successful candidate will be a thoughtful, collaborative, and strategic leader with deep knowledge and experience working on a diverse range of human rights issues related to LGBT rights. The Director will be a persuasive advocate in the field, and have an impressive track record of driving change, a deep commitment to coalition building and equitable partnerships, and a strategic vision for HRW’s contribution to the global LGBT rights movement.
• The Director will be an experienced manager and demonstrate the ability and commitment to foster the safety and resilience of staff, to promote diversity and inclusion, to support sustainability of the organization, to be an effective communicator, to provide appropriate and timely feedback on staff performance, to build consensus with staff around key challenges and new research and advocacy approaches, and to ensure the highest research standards in a culture of learning, trust, teamwork, and collaboration
• The Director will represent the organization in national, regional, and international media on LGBT human rights issues; will advocate with high-level officials from governments, companies, the United Nations, and other regional and international bodies; will foster and strengthen partnerships with other human rights and civil society organizations, particularly local partners; and will lead our LGBT-related collaborations in the human rights movement.
• The position will be based in any of HRW’s global offices. The Director will report to a Deputy Program Director in the Program Office and will lead a team of researchers / advocates based in various locations. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategies, set programmatic priorities, and plan and execute research and advocacy to best defend and advance LGBT rights as human rights globally;
• Ensure high research standards, including thorough vetting of research and media products, developing innovative research methods, and ensuring that the division’s work meets a high ethical standard;
• Collaborate with HRW staff in other program areas, including by reviewing products produced across the organization;
• Provide final editing of reports and other written interventions and take part in research and writing;
• Oversee the collection of detailed, contextualized information on human rights violations affecting LGBT people around the world, ensure the publication of accurate, comprehensive, insightful, strategic, and timely reports on those policies and practices, and ensure the use of those reports to generate effective and appropriate pressure to curb abuses;
• Collaborate with HRW’s security teams and others to ensure the safety and resilience of staff, information security, and security of interlocutors and partners;
• Work closely with the Development and Outreach Department to fundraise, identify and recruit donors, and prepare funding proposals;
• Maintain an extensive network of informed, supportive, individual donors based all over the world, and support, maintain and grow the network;
• Ensure that individual donors are kept updated and informed about the work of the program and work with Development colleagues in arranging events and briefing sessions for donors. This includes managing staff time and travel related to fundraising efforts and spending a significant amount of time meeting with donors and prospective donors;
• Manage budget setting and spending priorities, in co-operation with the Finance Department, and ensure that resources are allocated to maximize impact;
• Undertake extensive domestic and international travel; and
• Perform other responsibilities, as required.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Lead, motivate, and mentor a thriving nine-person team, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive feedback, ensuring balanced workload, and providing guidance on professional growth;
• Supervise the team’s use of traditional media, multimedia, new technology, and other innovative tools to advance advocacy goals;
• Monitor staff well-being to help manage stress, and boost resilience;
• Promote an inclusive and positive work environment including by soliciting diverse points of views, encouraging staff to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and proactively addressing any bias, or discrimination; and
• Model inclusive behavior and consistently adhere to HRW’s internal values;

Qualifications

• Education: An advanced (graduate) degree or equivalent work experience in law, social science, public policy, or a related field is required.
• Experience: A minimum of ten (10) yearsof relevant work experience with at least five years in a management role.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

• Self-motivated, creative, strategic thinker with senior-level experience working on LGBT human rights issues globally is required.
• Knowledge of LGBT rights movements worldwide and experience negotiating the political and ethical challenges such work poses is required.
• Excellent leadership skills and a depth and breadth of management and organizational skills, including the demonstrated ability to lead a team of talented professionals in multiple global locations is required.
• Fundraising and development experience is highly desirable.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and work collegially in a demanding, diverse, and fast-paced professional environment is required.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English are required. Fluency in one or more languages other than English is highly desirable.
• Keen political judgment, proven initiative and follow-through, the ability to work quickly and well under pressure, and a commitment to human rights is required.
• Experience with LGBT research and advocacy in a transnational context and with groups relatively marginalized within larger LGBT communities is required.

go to method of application »

POSITION SUMMARY

• The Deputy Executive Director, Chief Programs Officer (CPO) of HRW has been reconceived as a part of the evolution of HRW. This executive will lead half of HRW’s headcount, roughly encompassing staff located in 89 countries. The organization's external environment, given the work it does, is often complex and challenging.
• This role comes with tremendous responsibility to further develop and successfully support the ongoing development of structures and processes to ensure an enabling environment for effective collaboration across HRW’s Programmatic Departments. Additionally, they will play a key role in ensuring the organization can implement an ambitious and impactful global human rights strategy that has already been developed. Reporting to the Executive Director, Tirana Hassan, the Deputy Executive Director, CPO will have overall responsibility for the organization’s research, legal and policy, advocacy, and communications departments and their operations. The DED, CPO is responsible for ensuring the effective leadership and management of  activities, partner coordination, work planning, information flows and budgets across these departments, with 70% of their time devoted to internal management and leadership, and 30% for steering HRW’s external strategy, fundraising and external representation. The CPO will have demonstrated experience overseeing a team of organizational leaders responsible for ensuring efficient, effective, and impactful work and in successfully providing top-level guidance for effective leadership teams. This individual will be a core part of the Executive leadership team and be expected to drive forward the implementation of the current HRW global strategy. This leader will support the organization’s continued growth and development by ensuring cross-functional integration, operational and programmatic excellence, and best-in-class management practices across departments. The DED, CPO will work alongside the ED, the Deputy Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer and other senior leaders to help facilitate the organization through its ongoing transition to ensure internal structures, processes, and culture are appropriately aligned with the organization’s values and its evolving global strategy.
• One focus of this role will be to ensure that internal norms, values, and behaviors are consistent and coherent with the principles and standards that HRW articulates externally. The DED, CPO will be able to balance internal organizational and change management while also delivering on the organization’s core mission. Critical to this role is maintaining and strengthening HRW’s credibility, influence, and impact externally while building trust internally, and supporting a culture of excellence, collaboration, engagement, and inclusion, in which its diverse and passionate staff can thrive. An individual with the courage and conviction to defend the rights of all people, and the passion and empathy to inspire and lead by example, will find success in this role.

Key Relationships

Reports to

• Executive Director, Tirana Hassan
• Direct reports
• Program Director, Sari Bashi
• Legal and Policy Director, James Ross
• Chief Advocacy Officer, Bruno Stagno
• Chief Communications Officer, Mei Fong

Other key relationships

• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Executive Director
• Senior Advisor on Global Strategy
• Chief People Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• General Counsel
• Chief Development Officer
• Chief Technology Officer
• Physical Safety Director
• Global Head of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and develop department heads across all programmatic areas to reach excellence.
• Help optimize organizational structure and processes and accelerate ongoing change management efforts; expand internal management capability both through direct, hands-on leadership and by empowering other leaders across the organization.
• Develop systems for planning and coordination that connect decision-making and resource allocation to strategy.
• Establish and expand relationships, credibility and influence with critical internal and external stakeholders.
• Extend fundraising excellence by partnering with the Chief Development Officer in diversifying and deepening the existing donor base and implementing new fundraising strategies that match the resource needs across programmatic departments; design and execute multi-year fundraising campaigns.
• Partner with the Chief Financial Officer to develop financial planning and budget processes that support the implementation of strategies.
• Liaise with the International Board on programmatic reporting, resource allocation and policy issues.
• Continue elevating HRW’s international identity, cementing its reputation as a truly global organization, through representing the organization in key forums, fundraising events and the media, as required.
• Foster a high-performing organization through partnering with senior leaders on strategic workforce planning, attracting and retaining world-class and diverse talent, and engaging staff and developing their capabilities.
• Ensure rigor and integrity of HRW’s programmatic work across departments to ensure it is delivered to the highest standard; stay abreast of innovations in the human rights sector and, for those relevant to HRW, develop systems to oversee their effective implementation.
• Live and promote the values of the organization and promote trust by increasing transparency and collaboration across teams to amplify HRW’s external impact. Ensure ongoing commitment to diversity as well as equity and inclusion for staff of all backgrounds across regions globally.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• The Deputy Executive Director, Chief Programs Officer will be a bold, strategic, and inspirational leader who has a track record of leading teams to deliver ambitious and high-quality human rights and social change programs. They will have a track record of leading through change and delivering results and complex programs in fast paced environments. This leader will demonstrate an authentic passion for HRW's mission and be able to implement a concise and inspiring vision. They will have a global mindset based on both professional and lived experiences and have experience successfully managing and leading in a complex and diverse organization. The DED, CPO will contribute to building and expanding the fundraising base, ensuring strong foundations from which the organization can continue delivering impact. This individual will be an experienced and capable non-profit professional with the credibility to inspire and support leaders who are designing and implementing complex, impact, and high-profile programs globally. They will be comfortable building and maintaining strong relationships with senior stakeholders and will inspire trust and commitment from HRW’s staff and its Board. The DED, CPO should enjoy working across diverse teams of bright, capable individuals to drive high performance and achievement in a robust, emotionally intelligent manner. They will be skilled at identifying areas for operational improvement in current programs, working with staff to design and implement new, effective and impactful programs, and income generation targets to ensure their longer-term sustainability.
• The DED, CPO will be a skilled diplomat capable of forging common ground and building strong alliances among different stakeholders, both internally and externally. This leader will have impeccable communication skills, with the ability to remain agile in addressing various human rights topics and to adapt their style to different audiences globally. They must engender tremendous followership and inspire confidence in others. The DED, CPO will have a compelling, collaborative, and inclusive management approach and a proven ability to develop and lead a high-performing and diverse team. They will be engaged and decisive, with a commitment to achieve ambitious goals, make difficult decisions, and collaborate with their leadership to deliver the greatest possible impact. They will have a demonstrated ability and commitment to foster and prioritize the safety and well-being of staff and be a champion of DEI in all aspects of their work.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Operational Leadership Experience

• Has led large, complex organizations or teams through significant change. Track record of developing teams, implementing transformative changes along with structures and processes to increase the effectiveness of an organization as it grows and scales.

Global Mindset

• Has lived and worked in multiple parts of the world and can understand and can work respectfully and effectively across different cultures and perspectives when leading teams, collaborating and influencing others, especially in multi-cultural and multi-geography teams. Has a demonstrated ability to uphold and enhance the diversity HRW seeks to foster. Has experience working with building international or regional alliances and partnerships. Understands HRW’s role and added value in the wider global human rights movement.

Passion for Mission

• Clear and unfaltering evidence of a personal and professional commitment to human rights; demonstrated purpose-driven leadership of mission-driven organizations and experience working for lasting human rights impact. Has a deep understanding of strategy and how to deliver human rights change. Direct human rights programmatic implementation experience preferred.

Research and Advocacy Experience

• Proven track record of running a large inter-disciplinary team in global organizations. Demonstrated experience in field-based research and/or international advocacy.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Building and Developing Teams

• Invests in and develops their team.
• Diagnoses future capabilities required at different levels of the organization.
• Systematically develops leaders and team members through stretch assignments with specific competency development goals, coaching and a range of other approaches.
• Reviews the capability and capacity of departments under their supervision and supports strategic growth and development.
• Guides the development and provides the framework for ambitious, successful and financially sustainable departmental strategies.
• Delegates authority to the team and ensures accountability for delivering on strategic objectives.
• Passes leadership responsibilities down through the organization, ensuring alignment with the overall strategy and/or direction.
• Sets up forums or practices to reinforce independent and open communication among team members.
• Supports teams and builds capacity of leaders to manage change.

Leading Change, Strengthening Systems and Ensuring Effective Inter-Disciplinary Collaboration

• Creates and empowers change leaders and understands how to involve key influencers in the design and implementation of strategy and systems.
• Identifies internal changes consistent with the strategy but radical in implementation and gains buy-in with individual, customized influence efforts.
• Establishes processes or practices to encourage and reinforce innovation and change thinking.
• Adapts change plans/influence strategies to the political realities and constraints of the organization, targeting the most influential people regardless of formal role, and engaging people in a reasoned way.
• Identifies and implements systems to help facilitate sustainable growth and effective use of resources as the organization evolves in a changing geopolitical environment. Advocates for new direction, takes it onboard personally, even countering conventional practice.
• Thinks strategically about challenges facing a growing, evolving organization and yet also remains focused on operational excellence and the day-to-day imperatives of the organization.
• Understands how global trends and changes can impact the organization’s work and can support leaders to adapt and evolve.
• Takes personal ownership for advancing significant change and evolution.
• Communicates direction with a clear rationale and timelines.
• Creates or takes advantage of multiple opportunities to evolve and deliver ambitious bodies of work.
• Adapts communication content, approach, or style around change to appeal to different audiences.

Collaborating and Influencing

• Identifies all necessary stakeholders and connects with them to gain support or agreement.
• Negotiates with a genuine give-and-take approach that takes all parties’ perspectives into account.
• Takes advantage of opportunities to build strategic relationships to achieve a specific outcome.
• Engages others in open dialogue and adapts own influence approach to different stakeholders in ways that address their interests or concerns.
• Anticipates emerging or potential conflicts among all stakeholders and takes steps to pre-empt them.
• Spends time identifying all stakeholders necessary and meets or connects with all of them, neglecting no one to shape a collective consensus.
• Takes difficult decisions when needed and provide clear rationales in line with HRW’s organizational values.
• Clear and persuasive communicator who can unpack new and complex ideas for various audiences and represent the organization in internal and external meetings and events.

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Visionary leadership style that is inspirational to all members of a diverse organization.
• Authentic and influential leader and communicator who engenders trust-based followership and captivates audiences.
• Courageous, decisive and bold in taking informed risks, making decisions and working to deliver impact on behalf of HRW.
• Strong EQ and empathetic style with the ability to read emotions in others and respond appropriately and effectively.
• Active listener who solicits perspectives and ideas from all team members.
• High integrity and trustworthiness, possesses unquestionable ethics.
• Inclusive and transparent, explicit in logic when sharing a view or presenting decisions, engages others in ideation and implementation.
• Agile, flexible, and innovative; has sound instincts for knowing when to challenge implicit assumptions or pursue alternate ways of framing a complex problem.
• Engaged, able to roll up sleeves and work hard to deliver against HRW’s goals and priorities while modeling appropriate life/work balance and commitment to wellbeing.

go to method of application »

• The Media Department of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking applicants for the position of Media Associate to provide administrative and organizational support to its teams. The Media Department at Human Rights Watch (HRW) houses our written and visual media teams, including Communications, Multimedia and Digital. We produce a huge amount of content daily in multiple languages, reaching an audience of millions to raise awareness and empower individuals to act on human rights abuses around the world.
• As the Media Department’s Associate, you are someone with good news sense, excellent writing skills and sound administrative skills. The successful candidate will assist our Media team including supporting the production of media materials such as audio, social, and video products. This may include researching and script writing and social media promotion. The successful candidate will have a strong interest in international news and have some basic understanding of podcast formats and delivery methods preferred.
• This full-time position will be based in either our New York or Washington D.C. office and will report to the Chief Communications Officer based in Washington D.C. 
• The successful candidate may have the option to work remotely but should have the ability to work from the office on occasion. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment and onboarding of this position. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the Chief Communications Officer, including managing calendar, scheduling meetings, and making travel arrangements; 
• Provide administrative support to the Media Department teams, which includes handling invoices, assisting with contracts, and scheduling meetings; 
• Assist in the production of media products, such as helping schedule guests and assist in research and script wiring for the HRW podcast; 
• Support the development of HRW’s presence on social media and HRW’s social media accounts, including supporting Twitter spaces, following trends on new platforms, and some community response on TikTok and LinkedIn; 
• Support The Week in Rights newsletter and website publishing; 
• Perform other responsibilities as may be required. 

Qualifications:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in communications, journalism, social sciences, international relations, or related studies is required. 
• Experience: A minimum of one year of relevant work experience is required, preferably in media or a media related field. 

Related Skills and Knowledge:  

• Strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail and problem solving are essential. Prior office/administration experience is required. 
• Ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently, as well as function as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations, is required. 
• Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office and Google applications is required. 
• Basic knowledge of social media platforms is required; experience with a customer management system (CMS) or website editing is a plus. 
• The ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple priorities while working effectively toward deadlines is required. 
• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English are required; proficiency in another language is highly preferred. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with a wide variety of audiences. 
• Interest in international human rights and media is preferred. Familiarity with or strong interest working in a news environment is preferred. 

Application Deadline: October 29, 2023

go to method of application »

• Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an Administrative Officer to provide joint operational, project, and administrative support to both the Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Deputy Executive Director/COO oversees all of the organization’s operations functions (development, finance, human resources, information technology, security, and facilities) and is responsible for supporting our institution and colleagues to ensure that HRW continues to build our organization for maximum impact in the world today. The Chief Financial Officer oversees Finance and Administration teams which includes Accounting & Audit, Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial Operations, and Administration, and serves as the organization’s chief financial strategist, providing clear guidance to the Executive Committee, the Board of Directors, the DED/COO, and senior management on all financial and administrative matters. 
• This full-time position will be based in the East Coast time zone of the US, with a preference to be based in New York or Washington D.C, and will report jointly to the Associate Director, Chief Operating Office based in New York and the Chief Financial Officer based in Washington, D.C. 
• The successful candidate may have the option to work remotely. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the calendars for the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to promote the most effective use of their time;
• Take initiative to ensure effective time management and anticipate opportunities to facilitate workflow; 
• Coordinate domestic and international travel schedules, including all logistics and appointments, of the COO and CFO; 
• Plan and coordinate key internal and external meetings, including preparing agendas, minutes, documents, reports, and presentations, and coordinating follow-up on key actions;
• Provide administrative support for the execution of Audit and Risk Committee and the Finance Committees meetings of the Board, including preparing for and taking minutes at meetings, preparing meeting materials, responding to inquiries, and conducting follow up to meetings;
• Organize and facilitate regular meetings of staff in the COO and CFO Offices;
• Implement and manage digital filing systems, document and content management systems, or other databases as needed;
• Gain an overall understanding of strategies and objectives of the organization and COO and CFO Offices;
• Project manage and coordinate key initiatives;
• Coordinate online information sharing and learning, including applicable resource pages on HRW’s Intranet;
• Respond to internal requests for and support information sharing across operations divisions and with program so that the DED/COO’s Office can effectively manage the organization; 
• Support communication with the Board of Directors;
• Maintain effective working relationships with staff across the organization, including with relevant staff across the Operations Leadership Team;
• Support the recruitment of new staff and onboarding as needed;
• Manage sensitive and confidential interactions between key internal and external individuals; 
• Process the COO and CFOs expenses and other relevant expenses and invoices; assist with tracking of the COO and CFO Office’s finances; and 
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Education:  A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience or training, preferably in business administration, nonprofit management or a related field, is required. 
• Experience:  A minimum of three (3) years of high-level administrative experience is required, preferably providing administrative and project support to a senior level executive in a global organization. Experience and/or interest in international affairs and human rights is highly desirable.

Related Skills and Knowledge:  

• Ability to perform administrative tasks at the executive level and work independently on self-directed projects are required.
• Excellent organizational, administrative, project management, and analytical skills are required. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required; fluency in another language is an asset.
• Good judgment, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality are required. 
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, are required.
• An innovative and proactive approach to improving existing internal process and structures is highly appreciated.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are required to interact diplomatically with high-level individuals including Board members, donors, and other external contacts.
• Ability to function under pressure, prioritize competing demands with minimal supervision and handle numerous tasks simultaneously and with accuracy are required.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a team of talented professionals in multiple global locations is required.

Application Deadline: October 29, 2023

go to method of application »

• This position reports to the Director of the division and assists the director in setting strategic goals and priorities. The China Director will ensure the highest standards of research, writing, and advocacy on China, supervising our country team and collaborating with colleagues working on countries where China has influence. The China Director will also raise funds in support of China work and manage staff members with an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion; staff wellbeing; and encourage a healthy work/life balance. The full-time position will preferably be based in one of HRW’s offices, though other locations will also be considered.
• We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position. 

Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day management and leadership of the China team, supervise staff, edit published written work (such as reports, press releases, op-eds, dispatches, submissions), and support an environment of collaborative work;
• Strategically guide and advance the China team’s work, including through the design of innovative and creative research and advocacy projects and plans;
• Develop and implement the China strategy working closely with colleagues across departments and divisions;
• Act as a senior representative and advocate lead on China, leading on both domestic and international issues;
• Work with HRW staff in the Asia Division and in Advocacy and Communications Departments to develop and implement media and advocacy strategies on China;
• Develop and maintain relationships with governments, UN agencies, international organizations, and civil society partners, at the national, regional and international level;
• Where possible, work closely with partner organizations to ensure effective coordination, and engage in joint actions when appropriate;
• Use HRW research to influence decision makers around the world, build access to and stay in regular contact with key policymakers and departments, testify in parliamentary hearings, speak at public events and seminars, and influence think tanks and other policy/advisory bodies on Chinese government abuses;
• In close partnership with the Development and Outreach Department, assist the Asia Director in identifying, cultivating and successfully executing new fundraising opportunities for China work;
• Contribute to internal HRW policies and strategic discussions;
• Develop strategies to ensure and enhance the security of staff working on China; and
• Perform other responsibilities, as required.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Lead, motivate, and mentor direct reports, including communicating clear expectations, clarifying reporting lines and timelines, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive feedback, and providing guidance on professional growth;
• Consult closely and regularly with direct reports to ensure that the workload of the staff is manageable and monitor staff well-being as it pertains to stress and resilience issues and self-care;
• Promote an inclusive, creative, and positive work environment including by soliciting diverse points of views, encouraging staff to participate in efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion, and proactively addressing bias, discrimination, microaggressions, etc.;
• Model inclusive behavior and consistently adhere to HRW’s internal values;
• Incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values and initiatives into the division’s work; and
• Provide appropriate and timely feedback to the staff on their performance and provide guidance, coaching and training, as necessary.

Qualifications:

• Education: An advanced (graduate) degree or equivalent work experience in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or a related field is required.
• Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience with at least four years in a management role.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge and experience working on China, Hong Kong, Xinjiang, and Tibet is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both Mandarin and English is required.
• Excellent public speaking skills and a demonstrated ability to inspire, communicate with, and connect to different audiences are required.
• Passion for and experience working on human rights issues including experience conducting or overseeing remote research is required.
• Ability to identify research and advocacy opportunities is required. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and solid understanding of how to implement successful advocacy for policy change are required.
• Ability in navigating complex security issues is required.
• Ability to write and edit opinion and news pieces as well as longer form documents and experience conducting media interviews, cultivating relationships with journalists are required.
• Strong initiative and follow-through, ability to shift priorities according to international news developments, and ability to work well under pressure are required.
• Strong interpersonal skills, in order to work collaboratively with HRW staff in multiple locations globally is required.
• Willingness to travel internationally is required.

Application Deadline: 1 November 2023

go to method of application »

• This position, one of three deputies for the division, reports to the Director of the division and assists the Director in setting strategic goals and priorities. The Deputy will ensure the highest standards of research and advocacy within the MENA Division. The Deputy will also help coordinate and liaise with other parts of the organization involved in MENA related work, raise funds in support of the division, and help manage staff focused on the MENA region, with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and staff wellbeing.
• The full-time position will preferably be based in one of HRW’s offices in the Middle East and North Africa region (Amman, Beirut, or Tunis) or in Europe (Berlin, Brussels, London, or Paris).
• We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Director in developing and executing effective research, advocacy, and communications strategies for the MENA division;
• Assist the Director in overseeing both the day-to-day and longer-term research on human rights issues in the MENA region;
• Assist the Director in supervising the work of MENA division researchers, including supporting the advocacy and communications efforts of researchers in MENA countries;
• Facilitate the response to emergencies, the publication of analytical and credible reports, the development of advocacy materials, and the use of these products to generate domestic and international pressure to curb human rights violations;
• Assist the Director in editing the high volume of program output produced by researchers, including press releases, op-eds, and reports on tight deadlines and managing staff located in multiple locations globally;
• Assist the Director in regularly monitoring the budget and ensure that resources are allocated appropriately;
• Respond to and/or anticipate new events and developments in order to press human rights issues and advise HRW’s senior management in the effective response and advocacy strategy;
• Represent HRW in international, regional, national, and local media through interviews and the writing of editorials or other advocacy materials;
• Develop and maintain relationships with partners, as well as local and regional groups and organizations;
• Interact regularly with HRW staff across all departments to ensure effective coordination and delivery of program activities, including with human resources, finance, and the security team;
• Conduct advocacy with high-level officials from governments, armed groups, companies, and intergovernmental agencies to effect policy change;
• Travel, as required, to accompany researchers on fact-finding missions and to conduct advocacy or other HRW business;
• Assist the Director in achieving fundraising goals, recruiting new donors, and reporting back to donors in a timely manner; and
• Perform other tasks, as may be required.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Lead, motivate, and mentor direct reports, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive feedback, ensuring balanced workload, providing guidance on professional growth, and monitoring staff well-being as it pertains to stress and resilience issues and self-care;
• Assist the Director in establishing clear work plans and manage workload for staff and communicate priorities clearly and effectively. Provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;
• Assist the Director in ensuring that the management, staffing, and culture of the division are suitably aligned with evolving goals, and strategic ambitions;
• Assist the Director in working with HRW’s security team to protect the physical and digital security of our staff, partners and interlocutors; ensure that staff receive appropriate training in security policies and procedures, and that relevant policies and procedures are implemented effectively;
• Assist the Director in ensuring a culture of open and direct communication and information sharing and a positive, fair, and accountable working environment both within the division and between the division and other parts of the organization;
• Assist the Director in managing the implementation of performance management processes that measure and evaluate progress against operational goals for the division;
• Assist the Director in creating an environment in which staff within the division feel empowered, are encouraged to speak out about their experiences, and able to learn from one another, including through staff meetings and by encouraging participation in organization wide task forces and working groups;
• Assist the Director in ensuring consistent application of approved policies and practices across the division;
• Model inclusive behavior and consistently adhere to HRW’s internal values;
• Incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values and initiatives into the division’s work; and
• Participate in trainings provided by HRW and other organizations, including on security, management, and staff wellbeing.

Qualifications:

• Education:  An advanced (graduate) degree or an equivalent level of experience in human rights, international relations, journalism, law, social sciences or a related field is required.
• Experience:  A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience in international human rights or related work, including investigations, reporting, and advocacy, with at least four years in a management position is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

• Excellent leadership skills and management experience, including supervising a team of experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds, empowering staff development and developing strong and collaborative relationships with colleagues from diverse cultural, geographical, economic, political and social contexts are required.
• Extensive knowledge of human rights issues in the MENA region is required, with a preference for candidates with strong North Africa expertise.
• Relevant international field experience and familiarity with human rights research methodologies is required.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing human rights impact-driven research and advocacy projects, crafting strategies, and implementing plans is required.
• A track record of measurable success executing complex projects, managing budgets, fundraising, implementing operational change, conducting monitoring and evaluation, and ensuring high-quality deliverables is required.
• A track record of working with civil society groups, including collaboration with communities facing social, cultural and/or economic exclusion is required.
• A demonstrated ability to think strategically and work quickly and effectively under pressure is required.
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and experience applying DEI values in the workplace is required.
• Ability to advocate effectively on complex international policy issues is required.
• A track record of dealing with the media and cultivating relationships with journalists and experience using multimedia and social media for advocacy and outreach is required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic are required. Fluency in French is highly desirable.
• Ability to defend and explain complex issues and positions to internal and external audiences, including senior officials in governments and intergovernmental bodies is required.
• Ability to think creatively, initiate projects, and follow through on plans is required.
• Strong editing skills, with an ability to edit for factual and legal accuracy, for effective communication in relation to the intended audience, is required.
• Ability to work collegially in a demanding, diverse and fast-paced environment and strong interpersonal skills to work with partner organizations, government officials, private companies and other interlocutors is required.
• Capacity to appropriately plan, prioritize and manage multiple, sometimes competing, demands efficiently in a challenging, fast-paced environment is required. 

Application Deadline: October 26, 2023