RESEARCHER ON NORTH KOREA

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
RESEARCHER ON NORTH KOREA
Asia Division
(Seoul base preferred)
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Researcher with its Asia Division, with a strong preference that the person be based in Seoul. The Researcher will be responsible for developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda focusing on North Korea. The position reports to the Director of the Asia Division.

Responsibilities:

1-Monitoring and documenting human rights abuses 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-Conducting fact-finding missions, recognizing the need for innovative methodologies to ensure adequate information gathering given the closed nature of the DPRK; 

3-Writing and publicizing reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings of your research;

4-Developing and implementing local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices, including effectively engaging with the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in the DPRK, the UN Special Rapporteur, and other UN-based follow-on mechanism(s) to the COI;

5-Responding promptly and thoroughly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community;

6-Strong advocacy skills in presenting human rights issues and concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;

7-Working closely with colleague non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work;

8-Liaising effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;

9-Traveling domestically and internationally for three or more weeks at a time, several times a year; and

10-Carrying out any other duties as required.

Qualifications:

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

Experience:  Substantial experience working on North Korea. 

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

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

2-Ability to develop and implement realistic and effective local and international advocacy strategies and tactics in order to identify and seize advocacy opportunities is required.

3-Demonstrated 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 required.

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

5-Solid field research and documentation skills are required.

6-Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Korean are essential.

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 all required.

8-Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials and external media partners.

9-Ability work quickly and effectively under pressure with a broad range of people and as part of a team.

Other:  Highly desired that the candidate be Asia-based, or prepared to relocate to Asia.

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.

Contract Duration:  Initial 3 year fixed-term contract.  Renewable depending on the availability of continued funding.

Contact: Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, salary requirements, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to asiajobs@hrw.org. Please use“NK Researcher Ref ASIA-13-1055-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.