Researcher, Crisis and Conflict

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

RESEARCHER

Crisis and Conflict Division

Multiple Locations Considered

Application Deadline: October 16, 2022

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking candidates for the position of Researcher within the Crisis and Conflict Division. The Researcher should have expertise and experience working on human rights crises and documenting laws of war violations during situations of armed conflict. This should include an understanding of the impact of conflict and crisis situations on women, children, older people, people with disabilities, and others at particular risk.

Responsibilities include research, often in high-risk environments, writing and multimedia work with short deadlines, advocacy with governments, armed groups, companies and others, international media work to defend the human rights of people caught in armed conflict and political and security crises, and collaborating with partner organizations and colleagues across the organization.

This is a full-time position that reports to the Director of the Crisis and Conflict Division based in Washington D.C. The position will preferably be based in one of HRW’s major offices.

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 and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources, including through interviews with victims and witnesses and the analysis of physical evidence or photographs and videos of weapons used and their impact, as well as by monitoring reports from and speaking with government officials, local media, healthcare workers, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces, and others;

2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on research findings, including through an active social media presence;

3. Collaborate with colleagues in the multimedia team to produce videos and other visual materials that convey research findings and advocacy messages;

4. Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices and to hold those most responsible for serious abuses to account;

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

6. Identify and highlight key political and human rights trends and emerging issues, and analyze abuses within the broader political, social, and economic context to highlight factors contributing to abuses and avenues for effective change;

7. Project HRW’s concerns into public debates and to generate tangible pressure on human rights abusers and to find innovative approaches in light of the obstacles and resources available;

8. Respond to and/or anticipate news events in order to press human rights issues; to assess when and where to make public interventions such as op-eds; and think creatively about using the web and social media to generate public support for human rights issues and further advocacy goals;

9. Contribute to internal HRW policy debates on issues relevant to their expertise and areas of focus;

10. Assist the director of the division and HRW’s Development Department with fundraising;

11. Work closely with colleague NGOs and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their work;

12. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and maintain consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the division and organization; and

13. Carry out any other duties as required.

Candidate Profile:

The successful candidate will be a collaborative, strategic, and flexible researcher, writer, advocate, and public spokesperson who is ready and willing to deploy to areas affected by armed conflicts, political unrest, and other human rights crises, sometimes on short notice. The candidate should have experience documenting laws of war violations during armed conflicts and/or the use of excessive force during situations of political unrest, as well as expertise in identifying the types of weapons used in such situations. The successful candidate should be willing to work in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.

Qualifications:

Education: An advanced degree or an equivalent level of experience in international relations, journalism, law, history or social sciences is required.

Experience: A minimum of three years of relevant experience in research and documentation is required.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

1. Proven track record of working in dynamic situations, including ability to conduct interviews with victims, witnesses, officials, and a wide range of other people, is required.

2. Ability to think strategically in dynamic situations to develop and implement realistic and effective local and international advocacy and media strategies is required.

3. Ability to identify, research, analyze, and effectively communicate important human rights developments in the area of crisis and conflict work is required.

4. Ability to efficiently distil information about crisis and conflict work so as to focus time and effort on issues of greatest importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced is required.

5. Ability to write and edit accurate, persuasive, well-organized, analytical, and timely reports and press releases is required.

6. Strong knowledge of international human rights and humanitarian law is required.

7. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including public speaking skills, are required. Proficiency in at least one language relevant to the research position is highly desirable, such as Russian, Spanish, French, or Arabic.

8. Experience managing physical and digital security in dynamic and at times dangerous environments is 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 manage issues related to stress and resilience in a challenging and fast-paced job is required.

11. Experience working with colleagues, staff, vendors, and partners from diverse backgrounds in a positive, collaborative, and inclusive team environment is required.

12. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, media, and other external partners is required.

13. Experience working with innovative technologies to document human rights violations, such as remote sensing and the use of open source techniques, is highly desirable.

14. Experience and relevant training to identify the types of weapons used and their impact during situations of armed conflict and political unrest is highly desirable.

***Other:***This role requires regular domestic/international travel, sometimes with short notice, to conduct research missions, including in conflict areas. Candidates must be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events as needed.

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.

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.

How to apply

***How to Apply:*** Please apply immediately or by October 16, 2022 by visiting our online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org/ and submitting a CV/Resume and 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.