The General Counsel’s (GC) Office of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking highly qualified applicants for the confidential position of Associate. This is an administrative – not an Associate attorney – position. The General Counsel’s Office at Human Rights Watch is responsible for legal oversight of the organization's corporate matters, such as issues of internal governance and policy, a wide range of media law, foreign operations, tax, insurance and contract review, litigation and international and domestic employment matters, including labor relations. This position will be based in New York and will report to the General Counsel based in New York and support three other professional positions. This position is full-time at 40 hours a week starting July 1, 2019. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to help with a wide variety of legal administration in a fast-paced global human rights organization that provides a unique environment to grow your career.
- Provides administrative and paralegal assistance to the GC office including coordinating meetings, managing calendars, assisting with travel arrangements and follow-up, recording and processing divisional finances, drafting documents, taking minutes at meetings, and processing mail;
- Creates and maintains filing and knowledge management systems to organize and track legal information including for international and domestic litigation;
- Assists HRW staff with legal compliance requirements including sanctions and lobbying reporting and legal registrations of HRW’s international offices and affiliates, copyrights, and other matters;
- Assists with research into a variety of human rights and legal topics; drafts and edits legal correspondence, legal applications, and other human rights-related publications;
- Assists HRW management team in collective bargaining matters;
- Coordinates key legal services for HRW’s global staff, including HRW’s Continuing Legal Education program and other training programs;
- Recruits and coordinates legal volunteers and interns; and
- Carries out other duties as required.
- A minimum of 1 year of relevant work experience is required. Prior experience in a legal office setting and excellent research skills are highly desirable. If a more experienced candidate is identified, HRW reserves the right to offer the position at a higher level.
- Prior office/administration experience and outstanding organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail are required.
- Sound judgment, a willingness to take on responsibilities, and ability to problem solve and self-teach new topics are required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required; proficiency in other languages is a plus.
- Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within Human Rights Watch as well as with external partners are required.
- Self-motivation and the ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as well as function as a member of a team are required.
- Ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple priorities while working effectively toward deadlines is required.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and information security is required.
- Proficiency in various computer packages, including MS Office applications and ability to quickly learn other applications are required.
- Interest and familiarity with international human rights and digital privacy issues is highly desirable.
Salary range starts at $46,279. 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.