DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ADVOCACY

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ADVOCACY
Executive Office
(Brussels preferred; London, Berlin, Paris, Geneva options)
Open Until Filled

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking experienced and highly qualified executive level applicants for the position of Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy.The Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy represents Human Rights Watch in various advocacy settings, oversees its advocates around the world, is a member of HRW’s Executive Management Team (EMT),and serves as the EMT’s representative in Europe.   This position reports to the Executive Director of HRW.

Essential Responsibilities:

ADVOCACY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Represent the organization in high-level public and private advocacy with key governments and institutions around the world.

2. Serve as the organization’s senior advocacy strategist, focusing on institutional priorities and matters requiring broad collaboration among HRW’s parts.

3. Assisted by HRW’s global advocacy director, and working closely with HRW’s program and communications departments, direct and manage HRW’s organization-wide advocates and provide guidance to advocates who operate within a regional or thematic program.

4. Work with the development and outreach department to involve volunteer supporters as appropriate.

EMT RESPONSIBILITIES

Together with other members of the EMT:

1. Set the strategic direction of the organization and ensure that the organization is operating as effectively as possible.

2. Oversee HRW’s annual planning process, lead HRW’s periodic organization-wide strategic reviews, and guide the expansion of HRW’s global presence.

EUROPEAN RESPONSIBILITIES

As the sole EMT member in Europe, help to represent the organization there, raise funds from major donors and private foundations, and expand HRW’s large and growing community of supporters in Europe.

Qualifications:

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

Experience:  Minimum 20 years of relevant experience in international human rights or related work including investigations, reporting, and advocacy, with at least five years in a senior management position.  

Required Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law.

2. Ability to identify critical human rights issues and formulate strategy to address them.

3. Extensive experience undertaking advocacy with senior policy makers from all over the world.

4. Excellent political judgment and understanding of global issues.

5. Proven track record of leadership and management skills, including managing a diverse staff in multiple locations around the world.

6. Ability to explain and defend complex issues and positions.

7. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively as well as to convey vision to others.

8. Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English and a dynamic public speaking ability.  Proficiency in a language other than English is desirable.

9. Exceptional interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with NGO and media partners and allied government officials.

10. Capacity to plan, prioritize and manage multiple, sometimes competing demands efficiently in a challenging, fast-paced environment.

11. Capacity to work in a relatively flat organization without a large support staff, and within the economies that are typical of a lean, highly efficient not-for-profit organization.

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 explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position, a curriculum vitae,  a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to execsearch@hrw.org. Please use “Deputy Executive Director for Advocacy”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.