Assistant Researcher

ISRAEL AND PALESTINE ASSISTANT RESEARCHER
Middle East and North Africa Division
Israel or the West Bank
Application Deadline: 5 MARCH 2023

The Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an Assistant Researcher to monitor and report on human rights violations in Israel and Palestine. The successful candidate will be based in Israel or the West Bank and will report to the Israel and Palestine Director in the MENA Division.

The successful candidate may have the option to work from a home office on occasion but is expected to undertake in person work. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Monitor human rights conditions and document abuses by gathering and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, security forces, local media, NGOs, victims, witnesses, and journalists;

2. Follow up on specific cases of human rights violations, as requested by the Israel and Palestine Director;

3. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies on human rights concerns, as needed, in a concise and accurate manner, with a quick turnaround time;

4. Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices, including by meeting and corresponding with officials;

5. Establish and maintain contacts with local civil society actors, including using pre-existing networks among local rights activists and organizations, to expand HRW’s monitoring capabilities and access to information regarding human rights abuses and ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their work;

6. Assist in responding promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and presenting human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;

7. Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;

8. Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;

9. Travel to different areas, in particular to the West Bank, to conduct research, and internationally, as required, to attend specific trainings or planning meetings, or for advocacy purposes;

10. Manage local logistical issues, such as coordinating transportation and setting up events and meetings for visiting staff, and advising the organization on security conditions;

11. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and maintaining consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the division;

12. Assist with the finalization and production of news releases and reports; and

13. Carry out any other duties, including occasional administrative tasks, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in international relations, law, journalism, social sciences or related studies is required.

Experience: Minimum three years of experience working in an office environment or assisting in field research is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.

2. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with external partners are required.

3. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

4. Proficiency in Arabic is required. Proficiency in Hebrew is desirable.

5. Using their own research and other materials, the successful candidate should be able to draft press releases and other products in English that do not require extensive rewriting. Finalist candidates will be asked to take a timed writing test.

6. Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing and editing skills are required.

7. A dynamic public speaking ability is desirable.

8. A demonstrated interest in and commitment to human rights values and issues and to impartiality are required.

9. Experience working for a human rights or humanitarian organization, in particular in field work or research, is highly desirable.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess valid work authorization for the location in which they would be based; HRW is unable to secure work authorization for this role.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by March 5, 2023 by visiting our online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a cover letter and a resume or CV. No calls or email inquiries, please. Applications must be complete to receive considerations, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission or if you require accommodations during the application process, please email [email protected]. 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 actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. 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.

Assistant Researcher

Human Rights Watch

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