Human Rights Watch RESEARCHER ON ZIMBABWE/SOUTHERN AFRICA
Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Researcher to monitor the human rights situation in Zimbabwe/Southern Africa. This position will report to the Deputy Director in the Africa Division.
Responsibilities:
1. Monitor, investigate, and document human rights abuses in Zimbabwe and other parts of Southern Africa by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces, and others in the field;
2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to national and international bodies on human rights concerns in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa as needed in a concise and accurate manner, with a quick turnaround time;
3. Develop and implement local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices in Zimbabwe and other parts of Southern Africa;
4. Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community;
5. Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
6. Work closely with colleague non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work;
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 domestically and internationally, as required, to conduct fact-finding and advocacy missions;
10. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Africa Division; and
11. Carry out any other duties as required.
Qualifications:
Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, history or the social sciences is highly desirable. An undergraduate degree is required.
Experience: The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience working on human rights issues in Southern Africa. A firm knowledge of political dynamics in Zimbabwe or Southern Africa is essential and a background in field-based human rights work in the region is highly desirable.
Related Skills and Knowledge:
1. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in a timely and sophisticated fashion is required.
2. Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses are required.
3. Experience working in a politically sensitive environment is required.
4. Ability to efficiently distil information about Zimbabwe and Southern Africa so as to focus time and effort on issues of greatest importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced is required.
5. Ability to produce excellent written material under tight deadlines is required.
6. Ability to identify and advise the Africa Division in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities is required.
7. Ability to respond quickly to crises and conflicts as they may occur, often under tight deadlines.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
9. 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.
10. Strong interpersonal skills, in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, African Union officials, UN officials, policymakers, media contacts, and others is required.
11. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is strongly preferred.
12. Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, and a dynamic public speaking ability are required.
13. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.
14. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.
Other: The Researcher will be based in Johannesburg with frequent visits to Zimbabwe and other locations, after a period of training in Human Rights Watch’s New York office.
Salary and 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.
Contact: Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, salary requirements, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to africajobs@hrw.org. Please use “Zimbabwe/Southern Africa Researcher Ref AFR-12-1050-A” as the subject of your email.
Only complete applications will be reviewed and only qualified candidates will be contacted.
Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
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.
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