The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Rights Program of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Researcher. The Researcher will be responsible for conducting a wide range of work, including investigation, report writing, advocacy and media work focusing on LGBT rights in the Latin America and the Caribbean. This is a fixed-term full-time position for two years. The Researcher reports to the Director of the LGBT Rights Program, based in New York. The position will preferably be based in New York, Washington, DC or a location in Latin America.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda that focuses on improving respect for the human rights of LGBT people in Latin America and the Caribbean;
- Monitoring and documenting human rights practices by conducting fact-finding missions and collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others in the field;
- Writing and publicizing reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, dispatches, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings of your research;
- Developing and implementing local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
- Presenting human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
- Responding promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community;
- Working closely with colleague non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local and regional human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work;
- Liaising effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
- Delivering outputs in a timely manner and being consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the LGBT rights program and the Americas Division;
- Assist the LGBT Rights Program and the Development and Outreach Department in conducting fundraising;
- Traveling domestically and internationally for approximately three or more weeks at a time, several times a year; and
- Working flexible hours as needed to accommodate developing and urgent events;
- Carrying out any other duties as required.
Educational Background:
An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, Latin American regional studies, social sciences and/or extensive experience in human rights or related work are required.
Skills/Experience:
- A minimum of 3 years of directly-related experience working on human rights, with a demonstrable knowledge of LGBT rights, is required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish or Portuguese (ideally both) are required.
- Ability to identify, prioritize, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments on LGBT rights issues in a timely and sophisticated fashion is required.
- Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims of abuse, witnesses, and government officials, are required.
- Ability to develop and implement realistic and effective local and international advocacy strategies and tactics in order to identify and seize advocacy opportunities is required.
- Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, and the ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure with a broad range of people and as a part of a team are all required.
- Ability to produce high-quality written material under tight deadlines, excellent editing skills, and a dynamic public speaking ability are all required.
- Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials and external media partners are required.
- Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is highly desirable.
- 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 strongly preferred.
- Solid field research and documentation skills are highly desirable.
Compensation/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.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Dec 14 2018
Active Until:
Jan 15 2019
Hiring Organization:
Human Rights Watch
industry:
Nonprofit