Researcher, Women's Rights Jobs

FIXED-TERM, FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

RESEARCHER

Women's Rights Division

Multiple Locations Considered

Application Deadline: June 11, 2023

The Women’s Rights Division (WRD) of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Researcher to investigate, document, and report on the impact of caregiving laws and policies on women with disabilities in Canada, and advocate against practices that violate the rights of women with disabilities. The Researcher will carry out consultations, research, communications, partnership-building, and advocacy work towards rights-respecting local and national standards and policy frameworks for caregiving that enable women with disabilities rights to be uphold.

This is a two-year, fixed term position reporting to the Deputy Director of the Women’s Rights Division. This position will preferably be based in Canada.

The successful candidate may have the option to work remotely. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities:

1. Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, survivors, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others in the field;

2. Convene meetings regularly with different stakeholders including local NGOs, partner organizations, international institutions, government officials and policymakers, private corporations, and other important actors, to generate support for human rights-respecting disability rights and policies in key local, regional and national fora;

3. Write and publicize briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;

4. Assist in the development and implementation of local and regional strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;

5. Identify and work closely with non-governmental organizations focused on advancing disability rights and women´s rights, to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work, and actively explore partnerships;

6. Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;

7. Travel domestically and overseas, as required, to conduct fact-finding missions;

8. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Program; and

9. Perform other responsibilities, as may be required.

Qualifications:

Education: An advanced (graduate) degree or equivalent work experience in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or related studies is required.

Experience: A minimum of three years of relevant experience working on women’s disability rights at a national and regional level is required; experience working on caregiving laws and policies is desirable.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments on disability rights is required. Expertise on caregiving laws and policies in the specific context of Canada is desirable.

2. Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses are required.

3. Ability to efficiently distil information about women’s disability rights in the region to focus time and effort on issues of greatest importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced is required.

4. Ability to identify and advise the Deputy Director of the Women’s Rights Division in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities is required.

5. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international and Canadian human rights law is required.

6. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required; proficiency in French is highly desirable. Candidates who are not native English speakers are encouraged to apply.

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 required.

8. Ability to maintain contacts and meet with our key advocacy targets, such as Canadian government officials and policymakers, the UN and its human rights committees, and other international bodies that address Rights of People with Disabilities in Canada and in countries covered by the research is required.

9. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.

10. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.

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

Salary and Benefits: Human Rights Watch offers competitive salary and comprehensive employer-paid benefits. HRW offers relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by June 11, 2023, by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a letter of interest and a CV or resume. 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 disability-related accommodations during the application process, please email [email protected]. 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 based anywhere 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.