Associate, US Democracy Initiative

The United States Program of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an Associate to provide administrative assistance and support to its new US Democracy Initiative and the broader team. The US Program of HRW protects and promotes the fundamental rights and dignity of every person subject to the authority of the US government. It investigates and exposes systemic human rights violations committed by the US federal, state and local governments, with the aim of ensuring racial equity across issue areas but with a particular focus on immigration, the criminal legal system, and achieving racial justice in the United States. The US Democracy Initiative is in the incubation phase and is building up over the next two years as it seeks to help ensure that US democracy is robust, resilient, and inclusive of everyone by working with movements to address the root causes of its erosion. This position is preferably based in Washington D.C., and reports to the Director of the US Democracy Initiative. This is a fixed-term 2-year position with possibility of extension.

The successful candidate will be expected to work from the Washington D.C. office periodically. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.

1. Provide administrative support to several US Program staff members located in multiple offices, including to the Program’s new US Democracy Initiative. Tasks may include scheduling, making travel arrangements, taking minutes at meetings, creating and maintaining extensive filing and archiving systems, maintaining web pages, responding to requests for information, processing a substantial influx of mail, email, building and maintaining contact databases, and assisting with advocacy campaigns;

2. Assist with preparing, drafting, editing, formatting, and distributing materials such as news releases, reports, letters, charts, briefing papers, op-eds, other publications, and web content, social media posts, and providing advocacy support;

3. Assist with the strategic planning and programmatic design of the US Program and US Democracy Initiative;

4. Help facilitate timely and meaningful coordination across multiple divisions and departments; 

5. Support fundraising initiatives and the US Program’s relationships with donors through background research, and drafting and distributing regular updates and other documents on the work of the US Program and the US Democracy Initiative;

6. Maintain strong communications among HRW offices, national staff, and external partners;

7. Conduct background research and monitor current events around the United States to support the work of US Program staff;

8. Periodically attend external working-group or coalition meetings and represent HRW at meetings and events, including with researchers and other colleagues;

9. Assist with planning and executing partnership or coalition meetings, roundtables and special events with visitors, NGOs, press, and government officials;

10. Collaborate with other US Program team members providing operational support to the full team;

11. Assist with recruiting and coordinating interns and recruiting division staff; and

12. Carry out other duties as required. 

Qualifications: 

We are eager to hear from candidates who can perform the essential functions of this role even if they do not meet all of our desired qualifications – particularly if they are from backgrounds underrepresented in the NGO sector.

Education: A bachelor’s degree or, if no degree, equivalent experience in social science, government, political science, criminal justice, or a related field is required.

Experience: A minimum of one year of relevant work experience is required. Experience with democracy defense, voting rights, protest rights, criminal justice, racial justice or immigration, or with the US federal or a state government, is highly desirable. Experience in an international and/or nonprofit environment is preferred.

1. Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills are Familiarity with Human Rights Watch systems and processes is encouraged.

2. Strong interest in democracy and human rights in the United States is required. 

3. Background operating in diverse activist and coalition spaces.

4. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks are required. 

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

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

7. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required; proficiency in another language is encouraged.

8. Proficiency in computer packages, including MS Office applications, is required. 

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

Salary: The salary range for this position is $52,000- 56,415. Human Rights Watch offers comprehensive employer-paid benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, a retirement savings plan and twenty (20) days of vacation per year.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by February 28, 2023 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a letter of interest and resume or CV. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require a disability-related accommodation, 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 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.