Job Description

**FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY**
**RESEARCHER AND ADVOCATE**
**United States Program**
**Multiple US Locations Considered **
**Application Deadline: August 1, 2023**

**The Opportunity**

The United States Program (USP) of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking
applicants for the position of Researcher and Advocate to staff the racial
justice work of the USP. The Researcher and Advocate will identify and monitor
race-based abuses in the US, and advocate for laws, policies and practices
designed to achieve racial justice and equity.

The Researcher and Advocate should have demonstrated experience addressing the
causes and effects of racial injustice in the US, including its links to
poverty. They should be interested in exploring how human rights abuses,
including the failure to achieve economic and social rights, are rooted in
entrenched, often racist, power structures.

The Researcher and Advocate reports to the Associate Director. The successful
candidate may have the option to work remotely. The location of this role is
flexible within the United States. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as
possible in both the recruitment and onboarding of this position.

**United States Program**

The United States Program of Human Rights Watch works to secure the
fundamental rights and dignity of every person subject to the authority of the
US government. The US Program is organized to advance human rights in three
priority areas -- criminal justice, immigration, and democracy -- in ways that
center racial justice and equity. In partnership with allied organizations,
USP undertakes research and provides expertise to evaluate ongoing racial
human rights violations in the US, identifies goals and targets for remedy,
and engages in advocacy for change. In addition to our priorities, areas for
engagement include reparations for slavery and Indigenous peoples’ rights, as
well as education, environmental justice, labor, health, including mental
health, and housing rights through a race lens. In addition to its
independent research and advocacy in these areas, USP also collaborates with
the multiple HRW thematic and regional divisions that work in the United
States to address racial justice issues in their specific projects.

**_Responsibilities: _**

1\. Identify and analyze race-based abuses within the broader political,
social, and economic context (including the context of structural racism) to
highlight factors contributing to abuses and avenues for effective change;
design research and advocacy addressing myriad racial justice concerns through
a human right lens;

2\. Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and
analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including directly
affected people, grassroots and grasstops partner organizations, litigators,
governmental and agency personnel, journalists, academics, and others in the
field; undertake “desk” research;

3\. Monitor legal and policy developments regarding racial justice concerns,
especially regarding the executive and legislative branches of federal
government as well as state, tribal and local governments;

4\. Write and publicize reports, policy, legal, and regulatory analysis,
letters, news releases, short commentary and blog posts, tweet threads, op-
eds, and submissions to international bodies, as needed;

5\. Assist in the development and implementation of advocacy strategies based
on research to change laws, policies, and practices designed to achieve racial
justice and equity;

6\. Participate in coalitions led by partners;

7\. Work closely with directly affected people, and partner organizations to
ensure that HRW’s work is responsive to directly affected people’s needs and
is in close partnership with them;

8\. Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the
human rights community; respond to and/or anticipate news events in order to
press human rights issues; to assess when and where to make public
interventions; and to think creatively about using the web and social media to
generate public support for human rights issues and further advocacy goals;

9\. Perform speaking duties and represent the work of the US Program in public
forums;

10\. Travel, as required, to conduct and lead research and advocacy work, and
meet with colleagues; and

11\. Perform other tasks, as may be required.

**_Qualifications:_**

Especially given the US Program’s substantive work focus and theory of change,
Black, Indigenous and other people of color, as well as people impacted by the
criminal legal and/or immigration systems are encouraged to apply. Candidates
who are traditionally underrepresented in the human rights sector are
enthusiastically encouraged to apply if they feel they have the ability to
succeed in this role, even if they do not have all of the skills and
qualifications listed.

**Education:** An advanced degree or commensurate experience in journalism,
law, social sciences, international relations, or related studies is required.

**Experience:** Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in
investigations and connected advocacy, leading community and policy advocacy
campaigns and initiatives, local, state, or federal government experience,
grassroots organizing, communications strategies, and/or various forms of
related social justice litigation required.

**Related Skills and Knowledge:**

1\. Knowledge of racial justice, social justice and civil and human rights
issues in the United States, and ability to identify and evaluate trends and
needs.

2\. Demonstrated ability to conduct complex and/or innovative research and
advocacy projects with minimal supervision.

3\. Relevant experience and familiarity with human rights research.

4\. Relevant experience in work to combat structural barriers that entrench
racial and economic discrimination in the United States, preferably including
work with or alongside organizations led by directly impacted people, in
determining advocacy, research, and communications strategies to pursue.

5\. Ability to write and edit accurate, persuasive, well-organized,
analytical, and timely reports and media products is required.

6\. Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and
strategically, and excellent writing and editing skills are required.

7\. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within the US
Program team and HRW more broadly, as well as with local partners, government
officials, media, and other external partners is required.

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

9\. Good judgment and the ability to make sound decisions consistent with
functions is required.

**_Salary and Benefits_** : The salary range for this position is USD
77,000-85,000. Human Rights Watch offers comprehensive employer-paid benefits,
including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, a retirement
savings plan and twenty (20) days of vacation per year. HRW offers a
relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary
work authorization, if required; people of all nationalities are encouraged to
apply.

**_How to Apply:_** Please apply immediately by **August 1, 2023** by visiting
our online job portal at [careers.hrw.org](https://careers.hrw.org/) and
attaching a cover letter and a resume or CV. No calls or email inquiries,
please. Applications must be complete to receive considerations, 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]](mailto:[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 research 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
governments and international institutions._

Skills:

Editing

Go

Interpersonal Skills

Litigation

Organization

Recruitment

Research

Social Media