Human Rights Watch is seeking a researcher for its Terrorism and Counterterrorism (“T/CT”) Program. The researcher will monitor, document, and investigate terrorism and counterterrorism-related human rights violations, and will also conduct advocacy aimed at curtailing these violations. Specific areas of concern include the torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of terrorism suspects; the “disappearance” and/or long-term detention of terrorism suspects without charge; the use of unfair trial procedures in terrorism cases; and absence of accountability for such abuses.
The researcher’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, monitoring, investigating, and documenting terrorism and counterterrorism-related human rights developments in a range of countries; conducting in-country fact-finding investigations; writing detailed reports, briefing memos, press releases, op-eds, articles, and government letters in a concise and accurate manner, usually on tight deadlines; maintaining working relationships with local, regional and international human rights activists, journalists, diplomats, and others; developing local and international advocacy strategies to influence the counterterrorism policies of governments, intergovernmental organizations and international institutions through correspondence, briefings, and personal contacts; and responding promptly to queries from the press, the public, and colleagues in the human rights community.
The researcher should be prepared to travel extensively for research and advocacy purposes, including for weeks at a time. This is a full-time appointment, and will preferably be based in New York, although other locations may be considered.
Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and generous 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.
Additional Qualifications:
Candidates should have strong field research and documentation skills; excellent analytic abilities; the ability to produce first-rate written material under tight deadlines; a good understanding of international human rights and humanitarian law; strong advocacy skills; and fluency in both written and oral English. Fluency in Arabic, or at minimum a working knowledge of the language, is highly desired. Fluency in or working knowledge of Urdu, Pashtun, French, Russian, an Arabic dialect, or another relevant language would also be a plus. An advanced degree in law, international relations, journalism, or a related field in the social sciences is strongly preferred. At least five years of comparable work experience is also desired.
The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, extremely well-organized, collegial, and able to work well under pressure and handle numerous tasks simultaneously. S/he must be willing to take initiative, prioritize with minimal supervision, and work independently as well as function as a member of a team. S/he should also be scrupulously objective, able to investigate and report on abuses without prejudice or favor in contexts that are often highly charged politically.
How to Apply:
PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY by emailing in a single submission: a letter of interest describing your experience, your resume, names or letters of reference, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others) no later than July 31, 2007 to dessout@hrw.org. Please use “Application for T/CT Researcher” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. It is preferred that all materials be submitted via email. If emailing is not possible, send materials (please do not split a submission between email and regular post) to:
Human Rights Watch
Attn: Search Committee (T/CT Researcher)
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118-3299
Fax: (212) 736-1300