The Global Alliances and Outreach Program of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking applicants for the position of Senior Advisor on Strategic Initiatives. The program is a new initiative that will work on various sectors of civil society to re-imagine, reshape and reinvigorate democratic and human rights values globally. It aims to influence how human rights actors work by emphasizing organizing, alliance building and personal connections with the larger constituency that human rights organizations serve.
The Senior Advisor will work closely with the Program Director to identify new and emerging areas – geographically and thematically – for the program’s work, with an emphasis on engaging diverse constituencies and sectors, including labor unions, marginalized groups, grass roots movements and others. The Senior Advisor will document and analyze successes and lessons from global hotspots and facilitate the sharing of activists’ experiences from these locales. The Senior Advisor will also work with the Program Director to determine overall project strategy as well as the best messages, the right audiences, and appropriate vehicles to advance the program and its work.
This is a fixed-term, part-time position for one year, working at 20 hours per week (50% schedule). This position reports to the Program Director.
- Identify stakeholders for alliance building from diverse civil society organizations around the world, including labor groups, marginalized groups, social movements, religious communities, and more;
- Coordinate with HRW’s various geographic and thematic divisions to explore how to integrate their work into the activities of the Global Alliances and Outreach Program;
- Research, monitor and document challenges for civic space, democracy and human rights work globally, with a focus on identifying emerging countries, regions or themes where the program can both engage and benefit local actors, and also have an impact;
- Facilitate the convening of key local actors in emerging settings and identify creative ways to support the implementation of strategic alliance objectives, both locally and internationally;
- Participate in and co-facilitate strategizing meetings to renew and reshape local democratic engagement;
- Identify supporting stakeholders outside civil society, convene with them and develop strategies to support the re-imagining of democracy and human rights with a stronger role for civil society;
- Work closely with the Program Director to develop overall project strategy, including by drawing lessons learned from pilot experience and developing strategies for expanding pilot experiences;
- Assist the Program Director on communications and messaging, including by drafting op-eds and articles, speeches, talking points, social media content, and media responses;
- Serve as the lead liaison with HRW’s Communications Division on the design and implementation of program communication and outreach strategies;
- Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;
- Travel as required, to facilitate and promote alliance building and ensure advocacy;
- Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the initiative; and
- Carry out any other duties as required.
- A minimum of eight years of experience in international human rights, law, democracy, or related fields is required. Experience and expertise working on civil society issues, human rights and democracy in a global context is required.
- Global experience and understanding of the dynamics of civil society and its responses to the phenomenon of closing civic space are required.
- Ability to research and analyze complex challenges of contemporary democracies, civic space and international relations in a rigorous and efficient manner is required.
- Ability to identify emerging opportunities for intervention globally and locally and to implement strategies to seize these opportunities is required.
- Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including government and international community officials and actors at the grass-roots level are required.
- Excellent writing and editing skills in English are required. Knowledge of other languages is an advantage.
- Ability to identify and provide advice on creative approaches to alliance building based upon research and comparative analysis is required.
- Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights globally, and familiarity with international human rights law are required.
- Experience in communications and messaging in the context of international human rights, including drafting op-eds and articles, social media content, speeches, talking points, and media responses, is required.
- Ability to establish collaborative working relations with diverse teams in- and outside the organization to leverage research capacity is required.
- Strong initiative and follow-through and the capacity to think creatively and strategically are required.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain solid and effective working relationships at long distance, through modern technology is required.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills in diverse cultural settings in order to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with a broad range of external partners, are required.
- Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work well under pressure are required.
- Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.
HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.