Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking an experienced professional as its US Program Executive Director to lead a dynamic team dedicated to protecting and promoting the fundamental human rights of people in the United States. HRW’s US Program investigates and exposes systemic human rights abuses committed by the US federal, state, and local governments, particularly in three areas: criminal justice, immigration, and national security. We prioritize issues affecting people who are likely to have difficulty vindicating their rights through the political process or in the courts, such as the poor, racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, incarcerated people, immigrants, and children.
The Executive Director should be a creative and strategic thinker with a powerful voice, strong experience engaging with the media, and substantive experience on domestic civil or human rights issues in the United States. A strong background in criminal and racial justice will be particularly important. The Executive Director provides the dynamic vision and leadership for the US Program’s work in the United States, and should be a thought leader in the community of organizations promoting civil and human rights in the US. The Executive Director is responsible for developing effective research, advocacy and communications strategies for maximum impact in defending human rights in the United States, and for ensuring that these strategies inform the work of the entire organization. The Executive Director has the most senior public-facing role for HRW’s US work with the media, partner organizations, and donors, and will oversee research and advocacy staff, with a particular emphasis on the criminal justice and national security work. The Executive Director will also have a primary responsibility for work with the US Program’s Advisory Committee. This position is based in New York, NY or Washington, DC and reports to the Deputy Program Director.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Provide overarching vision for the US Program’s research and advocacy priorities and oversee research and advocacy on human rights issues in the United States, including through providing project management and editorial guidance, with a particular emphasis on US criminal justice and national security policy;
- Respond to and/or anticipate relevant news events and policy debates by inserting HRW’s voice, research-based expertise, and strategic messaging into such events and debates; advise senior management on effective responses and advocacy strategies; and project a human rights perspective into media coverage of current events, even when they fall outside specific areas of US Program research;
- Influence policy debates by providing press quotes, writing press releases, op-eds, and blog postings, and using social media;
- Represent the organization frequently before national and international media and, in coordination with the US Program Advocacy Director, advocate with federal, state, and local governments;
- Collaborate with key colleagues within HRW including those working on thematic issues and US foreign policy and externally with allied organizations; proactively seek to establish relationships with new partners;
- Coordinate closely with the Development Department on fundraising, providing requested information, drafting reports to donors in a timely manner, promoting the work of HRW as a whole, and actively soliciting and following up with potential new donors to achieve US Program-specific fundraising goals;
- Oversee and strengthen the work of the US Program’s Advisory Committee, which provides the US Program with outreach, fundraising, management, and substantive policy advice;
- Communicate regularly with the Deputy Program Director, his deputies, and other HRW senior managers to ensure the program’s policies and objectives are aligned with the organization’s focus;
- Travel on a frequent basis; and
- Carry out other duties as necessary.
Managerial Responsibilities (Carried Out in Conjunction with the Managing Director):
- Manage the Program’s output and staff with the aim of promoting and maintaining strong unity and sense of purpose within the program;
- Manage the Program’s budget, in cooperation with the Finance Division and others in the Program, to ensure adequate and timely oversight of resources and ensure that resources are allocated to maximize impact;
- Establish clear work plans for staff, communicate priorities clearly and effectively, and provide oversight and take responsibility for delegated assignments;
- Ensure that the workload of staff is manageable and the reporting lines are clear;
- Provide appropriate and timely feedback on staff performance and leadership on employee relations through effective communication, conflict mediation, guidance, coaching, and training, including with staff in supervisory positions;
- Operate in compliance with organizational regulations and rules, including the policies of applicable employee agreements;
- Ensure the security of staff, information security, and security of interlocutors and partners in their work with HRW; ensure that staff receive appropriate training in security policies and procedures, and that relevant policies and procedures are implemented effectively; and
- Foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning; monitor and adjust program plans and actions as necessary; and resolve any disputes or conflicts in a timely manner with appropriate consultation with supervisors and HRW senior managers.
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; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.
Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at http://careers.hrw.org/opportunities/show/?jobid=1464. No phone 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, 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 an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool. Human Rights Watch welcomes applications from people of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, national, and socio-economic backgrounds, women, LGBTI persons, and persons with disabilities.