The Environment and Human Rights (EHR) 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 toxics and environment health, and related topics. This is a full-time position. The Researcher will report to the Director of the EHR Program, who is based in Washington, DC. The preferred locations for this position are New York or Washington, DC but other locations will also be considered.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda on toxics, including wastes and chemicals, that focuses on improving respect for human rights;
- 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 environmental and 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 collaboration; support other HRW staff to address environmental issues in their work;
- Delivering outputs in a timely manner and being consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Environment and Human Rights Program;
- Assisting the Director of the Environment and Human Rights Program and the Development and Global Initiative Department in conducting fundraising;
- Traveling domestically and internationally for approximately three or more weeks at a time, several times a year;
- Working flexible hours as needed to accommodate developing and urgent events; and
- Carrying out any other duties as required.
Educational Background:
An advanced (graduate) degree in environmental health, environmental science, toxicology, epidemiology, journalism, social sciences and/or extensive experience in human rights or related work is/are required.
Skills/Experience:
- A minimum of three years of relevant experience working on environmental issues and a demonstrable knowledge of human rights is required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Skills in other languages are a plus.
- Ability to identify, prioritize, research, analyze and effectively communicate important environmental and human rights developments 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 19 2018
Active Until:
Jan 19 2019
Hiring Organization:
Human Rights Watch
industry:
Nonprofit