Human Rights Watch RESEARCHER ON RUSSIA

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
RESEARCHER ON RUSSIA
Europe and Central Asia Division
(Moscow Office)
Application Deadline: January 28, 2013

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Researcher to monitor human rights developments in Russia.  This position reports to a Deputy Director in the Europe and Central Asia (“ECA”) Division.    

Responsibilities:

1. Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, government agencies and others in the field;

2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;

3. Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;

4. Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate;

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 Russian and international media;

6. Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their 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 throughout Russia and internationally, as required, to conduct fact-finding and engage in advocacy;

10. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the ECA division; and

11. Carry out any other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education:  An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or related studies is desirable.

Experience:  Extensive experience working and living in Russia is required. 

Language: Excellent oral and written communication skills in Russian and English are required.

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in the area of specialty is required.

2. Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses are required.

3. Ability to identify emerging human rights issues in Russia and to prioritize them for HRW work.

4. Ability to work quickly in times of crisis to document and report on human rights issues.

5. Ability to identify and advise the Europe and Central Asia division in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities is required.

6. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is required.

7. Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing and editing skills, and a dynamic public speaking ability are required.

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

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

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

11. Demonstrated ability to think strategically about the global and Russian media environments and how to use the media and electronic media to further advocacy goals is desirable.

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, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to ecajobs@hrw.org. Please use “Russia Researcher Ref ECA-12-1066-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.

Human Rights Watch began in 1978 with the founding of its Europe and Central Asia division(then known as Helsinki Watch).  Its primary goal was to monitor the implementation of human rights provisions established by the Helsinki Accords within the Soviet Union. Today, the division's work has expanded well beyond monitoring the Helsinki provisions to include gathering detailed information on human rights abuses throughout Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.  In addition to publishing reliable and comprehensive reports, the ECA division effects change through advocacy.  The ECA holds accountable not only governments who abuse internationally recognized human rights, but also those who support abusive governments.  The ECA division seeks to expand the implementation of human rights law in all of Europe and Central Asia.