Researcher, Women’s Rights

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

RESEARCHER

Women’s Rights Division

Multiple Locations Considered

Application Deadline: September 16, 2022

The Women’s Rights Division (WRD) of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Researcher to investigate, analyze, and advocate against human rights abuses relating to women in the Americas. The Researcher will work to improve awareness and accountability for human rights violations against women in the region, in particular regarding reproductive rights. The work will focus, at least initially, primarily on access to abortion in the region, including research in Guatemala, Mexico, and Ecuador.

This is a fixed term, two-year position reporting to the Executive Director of the Women’s Rights Division, based in Washington D.C. This remote position will preferably be based in Latin America.

Due to COVID-19, many of our global offices are operating in reduced capacities. The successful candidate may be required to work remotely as local mandates necessitate. We recognize that this moment, during the pandemic, is a uniquely difficult time for most people, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, and we aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities*:*

1. Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others in the field;

2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;

3. Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;

4. Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;

5. Assist the Executive Director and Deputy Director of the WRD and HRW’s Development and Outreach Department in conducting fundraising;

6. Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work;

7. Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;

8. Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;

9. Travel domestically and internationally, as required, to conduct fact-finding missions;

10. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the WRD; and

11. Carry out any other duties as required.

Qualifications*:*

Education: An advanced (graduate) degree or equivalent work experience in international relations, women’s studies, journalism, law, social sciences, or related studies is required.

Experience: A minimum of three years of relevant experience working on women’s rights in the Americas at a national and regional level is required; experience living in the region is essential.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments on women’s rights in the Americas is required.

2. Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses are required.

3. Ability to efficiently distil information about women’s rights in the region to focus time and effort on issues of importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced is required.

4. Ability to identify and advise the Executive Director in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities is required.

5. Knowledge of international human rights law and experience working in international human rights are required.

6. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish are required; proficiency in Portuguese would also be an advantage.

7. Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing and editing skills, and a dynamic public speaking ability are required.

8. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.

9. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.

10. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

11. 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 desirable.

Other: This role requires regular domestic/international travel, sometimes with short notice, to conduct research missions. Candidates must be prepared and willing to work flexible hours and spend extended periods of time in the field as needed.

Salary and Benefits:** HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW is only able to offer immigration support in locations that we have registered offices (in Latin America, our only registered office is currently in Brazil). Candidates from or seeking to be based in other countries in the region are encouraged to apply, but are required to have work authorization in the country that they would like to be based.

**How to Apply:**Please apply immediately or by September 16, 2022 by visiting our online job portal at https://www.hrw.org/careers and submitting a CV/Resume, letter of interest. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require a disability-related accommodation, please email [email protected]. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.**

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.