Senior Researcher, Americas Job 2024 Part Time

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Senior Researcher, Americas
Americas Division
Multiple Locations Considered
Application Deadline: August 25, 2024

As the human rights situation continues to deteriorate in the Americas, Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Senior Researcher to help design, supervise, and edit the Americas Division’s research in Latin America and the Caribbean. The successful candidate will be a thoughtful researcher with experience working on human rights issues in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Americas Division covers pressing rights issues in more than 14 countries where they promote accountable governments that respect basic rights and the rule of law; and contribute to addressing both the structural root causes that fuel human rights violations and their long-term consequences. Our team of 14 experts, based across the region, work in partnership with local organizations to meticulously document human rights abuses and advocate for concrete policy changes to end them.

The Senior Researcher will report to the Deputy Director and will aim to ensure the highest standards of research within the Americas team. The successful candidate may have the option to work remotely. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities

1. Develop and implement a research and advocacy agenda that focuses on improving respect for human rights in various contries in Latin America and the Caribbean;
2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the research findings; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;
3. Supervise research on several countries in the region, including by editing drafts, designing research methodologies and leading missions to respond to crisis;
4. Support the Americas Division advocacy work, including in Latin America and Europe;
5. Collaborate with colleagues from the multimedia team to produce videos and other visual materials that convey research findings and advocacy messages;
6. Develop recommendations for rights improvements in the region; devise and implement local, regional, and international advocacy strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
7. Respond promptly to queries from the media, the public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate;
8. Place abuses within the broader political, social, economic and historical contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
9. Work collaboratively with international and national and grassroots civil society organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work and actively explore partnership opportunities;
10. Assist the Americas Division and HRW’s Development and Outreach Department in conducting fundraising;
11. Establish clear work plans for researchers, research assistants, consultants, associates or interns on a project led by the senior researcher and ensure that their workload is manageable, that priorities are clearly and effectively communicated, and that they are given proper guidance, training and support on issues of security and resilience;
12. Contribute to internal HRW policy debates on issues relevant to your expertise and areas of focus;
13. Liaise and collaborate effectively with HRW staff located around the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
14. Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;
15. Travel domestically and overseas, as required, to conduct fact-finding investigations;
16. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Africa division and wider Program Department; and
17. Carry out any other duties as required.

Qualifications:

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

Experience: A minimum of seven years of relevant experience working in human rights research on Latin America and the Caribbean is required.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

1. Demonstrated ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in Latin America and the Caribbean is required.
2. Demonstrated ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims, survivors and witnesses are required.
3. Strong knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with global, regional and local human rights law is required.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish including dynamic public speaking skills and the ability to write accurate, persuasive, well-organized, analytical, and timely documents, are required. Proficiency in French is highly desirable.
5. Ability to build and sustain partnerships with human rights, community and regional organizations on shared goals and objectives is required.
6. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work positively and collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, media, and other external partners from diverse backgrounds environment is required.
7. 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.
8. Ability to identify and advise the Deputy Director in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities is required.
9. Experience working with colleagues, staff, vendors, and partners from diverse backgrounds in a passive, collaborative, and inclusive team environment is required.
10. Ability to maintain contacts and meet with officials and experts addressing human rights in Latin America and the Caribbean.
11. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.
12. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW offers a relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required, in locations where we have a registered presence. Citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. If based in the Unites States, the salary range for this role is USD 88,000 – 96,000. Salary ranges outside of the Unites States vary by location.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by August 25, 2024 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a cover letter and CV or resume, preferably as PDF files. 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 recruitment@hrw.org. 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.