Coordinator, Advocacy

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

COORDINATOR

Advocacy Department

Washington, DC Office (Remote Initially)

Application Deadline: May 23, 2021

The Advocacy Department of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking a Coordinator to provide administrative, advocacy, and research assistance to the team based in Washington, DC. The Washington team works to advance human rights as a core component of US foreign policy. This unionized position is a valuable and fully integrated member of that team. The Coordinator reports to the Washington Director and supports the Washington Director and Deputy Director. HRW anticipates that the successful candidate will take up this position in summer 2021.

Due to COVID-19, many of our global offices are currently closed or operating in reduced capacities. The successful candidate may be required to work remotely initially or if local requirements mandate it. We recognize that this moment, during the pandemic, is a uniquely difficult time for most people, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, and we aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position. The position may initially be temporarily based elsewhere in the United States until our offices fully reopen, so long as candidates are willing to work eastern timezone working hours.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide day-to-day administrative support such as scheduling meetings, making travel arrangements for research and advocacy trips, recording and processing departmental finances, preparing for and taking minutes at meetings, and managing databases and filing systems; 

2. Monitor and track policy developments, congressional news, and information services; track key US policy debates including legislative analysis; 

3. Coordinate and support US government advocacy, including scheduling official meetings, managing subscriptions, building and maintaining contact databases, and responding to internal and external requests for information;

4. Coordinate and support outreach to foreign embassies, UN bodies, and other relevant entities in the Washington area;

5. Prepare, draft, edit, format, and distribute materials such as news releases, reports, letters, briefing papers, talking points, background research, congressional hearing questions, dispatches, web content, op-eds and other publications; 

6. Conduct desk research on a broad range of topics, 

7. Assist in developing and implementing advocacy strategies on specific countries/thematic issues with US executive branch; collaborate with HRW staff to identify and create opportunities that support their advocacy efforts in DC and provide timely information on developments and negotiations within the US government in order to seize advocacy opportunities; 

8. Attend external working-group meetings and represent HRW at meetings and events, including with researchers and other colleagues when they come to Washington;

9. Assist with planning and executing special events, roundtables, trainings, and other events; 

10. Assist with recruiting, coordinating, and mentoring of interns and assist with recruiting division staff, as needed; and,

11. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications: 

Education: A bachelor’s degree is required. 

Experience: A minimum of two years of relevant work experience is required. Previous experience working in or with the US government is preferred.

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills are required. 

2. Knowledge of or experience with the US government including Congress, State Department, and/or other branches of government is required. 

3. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Evidence of persuasive writing skills and/or policy writing is preferred.

4. Strong research and analytical skills with the natural curiosity and creativity needed to conduct research are required.

5. Strong interpersonal skills and independent judgment and discretion, as well as tact, diplomacy, and maturity in dealing with colleagues at all levels of the organization are required.  

6. Self-motivation and the 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 are required. Candidate must be a self-starter, able to think and plan ahead. 

7. Ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously is required.

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

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

10. Interest in human rights is required. Interest in international relations, diplomacy, and/or policy is required. 

 

Other: Applicants for this position must possess valid US work authorization. 

Salary and Benefits: Salary range starts at $52,513 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 of vacation per year. 

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by May 23, 2021 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and uploading a cover letter and a resume/CV, in PDF format. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates can expect to be contacted within two weeks of the deadline. 

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email recruitment@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

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.