Associate, Africa

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

Associate

Africa Division

Washington, DC

Application Deadline: July 24, 2020

The Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a highly motivated and qualified person to provide administrative assistance and support to its Africa advocacy and West Africa teams. The Africa Division is a part of the Program Department which consists of regional and thematic divisions and oversees research, reporting and various other work. The Africa Division works to advance human rights in Africa and conducts a wide range of work, including investigation, report writing, advocacy and media work. This Associate position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Advocacy Director of the Africa Division. 

Responsibilities:

1. Preparing, editing, proofreading, formatting, and or/distributing materials such as news releases, reports, tables, charts, briefing papers, op-eds, publications, and web content;

2. Providing day-to-day administrative support to Africa Division staff, such as scheduling, making travel arrangements, preparing for and taking minutes at meetings, managing subscriptions, building and maintaining contact databases, creating and maintaining filing and archiving systems, and responding to requests for information;

3. Provide logistical on-the-ground support to Africa Division staff during field missions and advocacy trips, such as coordinating and scheduling meetings, conducting interviews, representing HRW to external partners, interpreting as required;

4. Conducting desk and phone research and providing field research assistance as required;

5. Assisting with events such as news conferences, staff meetings, and special events; 

6. Recruiting, onboarding, and managing day-to-day supervision of interns;

7. Coordinate and support advocacy to the African Union and its organs, the Regional Economic Communities, local civil society organizations, including by briefing the Africa Advocacy Director on events at decision-making bodies, assisting with preparing regular briefs on emerging rights issues affecting the continent, drafting press releases and dispatches on advocacy priorities, and assisting with advocacy campaigns; 

8. Write and compile quarterly advocacy bulletins for the Africa Division; 

9. Write and compile bi-annual report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights per observer status requirements; 

10. Record and track divisional finances; and

11. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications: 

Education: A bachelor’s degree in human rights, international relations, social science, or a related field is required.

Experience: A minimum of one year of relevant work experience is required. We value many different types of previous experience and take a broad view on what experience is relevant, so please include all previous paid employment in your application. 

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills are required.

2. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French are required.

3. Strong interest in international human rights and African Human Rights mechanisms is required; Advocacy and/or West Africa related experience is desirable.

4. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks are required.

5. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

6. Ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as well as function as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations globally is required.

7. Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications is required.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess current US work authorization valid for a minimum of two years from start date.

Salary and Benefits: Salary range starts at $48,622. Human Rights Watch offers comprehensive employer-paid benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, an outstanding retirement savings plan and twenty (20) days of vacation per year.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by July 24, 2020 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email recruitment@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We do not discriminate in hiring practices and actively seek a diverse applicant pool. We encourage candidates of all abilities, ages, gender identities and expressions, national origins, races and ethnicities, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with criminal records to apply. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.