COORDINATOR

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
COORDINATOR
Communications Division
(New York Office)
Application Deadline: June 18, 2015

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Coordinator to provide administrative assistance to its Communications Division and to run the global press desk as part of a team.  This position reports to the Communications Director and also supports other members of the Communications Division. The Communications Division is part of the External Relations Department which oversees all media, digital, and multimedia communications for HRW. The External Relations Department works to determine the best messages, the right audiences, and the best vehicle to raise public awareness of the human rights violations HRW investigates and reports on.

Responsibilities:

1. Proofread, format, and distribute press materials, such as news releases and media advisories;

2. Respond to queries from journalists, editors, producers, and bookers;

3. Help maintain and build Human Rights Watch’s global media contact database;

4. Monitor media coverage;

5. Assist Human Rights Watch researchers and advocates in planning and implementing media strategies;

6. Pitch story ideas to relevant journalists;

7. Assist with preparation for news conferences, meetings, and special events;

8. Recruit and coordinate interns;

9. Coordinate translations, including the recruitment of translators, arranging and tracking payments, and distributing training materials;

10. Provide substantive, logistical, and administrative assistance to Communications Division staff, including processing departmental finances, filing, assisting in travel plans, drafting and editing correspondence;

11. Curate and post material to the website; and

12. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education:  A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, international affairs, or other relevant field is required.

Experience:  A minimum of 2-3 years of relevant work experience is required. 

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Excellent proofreading and oral communication skills in English are required; proficiency in other languages is strongly preferred.

2. Strong interpersonal skills, including patience and a sense of humor, nd ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously are required.

3. Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills with close attention to detail are required.

4. Ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as well as function as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations globally is required.

5. Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications is required.

6. Flexibility to work evening hours and some weekends is required.

7. Strong interest in international human rights and media, including social media, is strongly preferred.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess current US work authorization valid for a minimum of two years from start date.

Salary and Benefits:  Salary range starts at $46,186.  Human Rights Watch offers comprehensive employer-paid benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, an outstanding retirement savings plan and twenty (20) days vacation per year.

Contact:  Please submit a cover letter, resume, a brief writing sample (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to pressjobs@hrw.org.  Please use “Coordinator Ref: COMMS-15-1038” as the subject of your email. 

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted 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.