RESEARCHER ON MEXICO

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
MEXICO RESEARCHER
Americas Division
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking highly-qualified applicants for the position of Researcher on Mexico. This position reports to the Managing Director of the Americas Division. The position will preferably be based in New York, Washington, DC, or Mexico City.

Responsibilities:

1. Developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda that focuses on improving respect for human rights in Mexico;

2. Monitoring and documenting human rights practices in Mexico by conducting fact-finding missions and collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources, including government agencies and institutions, local media, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, and others in the field;

3. Monitoring Mexico’s foreign policy with respect to human rights issues around the globe;

4. Writing and publicizing reports, briefing memos, statements, op-eds, articles, and press releases, as well as submissions to international bodies, and doing so in a concise, accurate, and timely manner;

5. Traveling to Mexico and elsewhere for substantial periods of time, several times a year, in order to carry out research and advocacy;

6. Responding promptly to queries from the media, the public, and colleagues in the human rights community;

7. Working closely with local and regional human rights organizations to ensure that the work of HRW in Mexico complements and enhances their own work;

8. Developing recommendations to stop or prevent abuses; and

9. Performing other duties as required.

Qualifications: 

Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, Latin American regional studies, social sciences and/or extensive experience in human rights or related work are required.

Experience: Minimum of three years of experience working on human rights or related issues in Latin America, including time spent living in the region, is essential. 

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish are required.

2. Ability to research and analyze complex human rights issues in a rigorous, nuanced and efficient manner is required.

3. Ability to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims of abuse, witnesses, and government officials, is required.

4. Ability to monitor human rights developments in Mexico and to identify and prioritize issues to work on is required.

5. Ability to produce high-quality written material under tight deadlines is required.

6. Ability to identify advocacy opportunities and advise the Americas division in developing and implementing advocacy strategies is required.

7. Ability to respond quickly to crises and conflicts as they occur is required.

8. Strong initiative and follow-through, capacity to think creatively and strategically, ability to multi-task effectively, and ability to work under pressure are required.

9. Ability to think strategically about the global and local media environments and how to use the print and electronic media effectively to further advocacy goals is desirable.

10. Strong interpersonal skills, in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, and others, are essential.

11. Strong public-speaking skills are essential.

12. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is essential.

13. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is preferred.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW offers a relocation assistance package 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 americasjobs@hrw.org. Please use “Mexico Researcher Ref AME-14-1019-A” 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.