Human Rights Watch Receiving Applications for Alan R. and Barbara D. Finberg Fellowship

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hor Halvorssen, President, Human Rights Watch
hor Halvorssen, President, Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is inviting applications from interested persons who hold an advanced (graduate) degree or will have a degree granted by June 2020 in the fields of Law, Journalism, International Relations, Area Studies, or other relevant disciplines from universities for the Alan R. and Barbara D. Finberg fellowship.

HRW is strengthened profoundly by the diversity of its staff and its differences in background, culture, experience, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and more. It actively seeks and welcomes applications from people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, women, LGBTI persons, and persons with disabilities.

Fellows typically work full-time for one year in Human Rights Watch’s New York or Washington, D.C. office. In some instances, other locations may be considered. The fellowship begins in September 2020.

Fellows monitor human rights developments in various countries, conduct on-site investigations, draft reports on human rights conditions, and engage in advocacy and media outreach aimed at publicizing and curtailing human rights violations.

Past fellows have conducted research and advocacy on numerous different issues in countries all over the world. Examples include projects on: police corruption and access to justice in Liberia; accessibility for people with disabilities in Russia; youth in solitary confinement in US prisons; hazardous child labor in artisanal gold mining in Tanzania; and police abuse of gay men in Kyrgyzstan.

HRW will ensure that fellows receive training and mentorship including regular and timely feedback and guidance on professional growth. It is committed to ensuring a balanced workload for Fellows and monitoring staff well-being.

Application is open to applicants  with an advanced (graduate) degree in the fields of law, journalism international relations, area studies, or other relevant disciplines is required. Applicants who possess LL.Ms are also eligible, LL.B. degrees or advanced degrees in other relevant disciplines may also be considered.

Prior research experience, including experience conducting interviews, ideally in the context of human rights research, is required.

Required related Skills and Knowledge

  1. Demonstrated strong background in international human rightsand commitment to building a career in human rights are required.
  2. Excellent oral and written communications skills in English are required.
  3. Proficiency in another language in addition to English is strongly desired, as is familiarity with countries or regions where serious human rightsviolations occur.
  4. Self-motivation, ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.
  5. Strong initiative and follow-through, exceptional analytical skills, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent editing skills, perseverance and flexibility while maintaining HRW’s high methodological standards are required.
  6. Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.
  7. Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations are required.
  8. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

The salary for 2020-2021 fellows is US $60,000, plus excellent employer-paid benefits. HRW will pay reasonable relocation expenses and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants should apply immediately or by October 11, 2019 by visiting online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org/ and attaching a CV/resume, letter of interest, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others), preferably altogether as one PDF file.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to submit the following: two letters of recommendation and an official law or graduate school transcript.

Successful applicants should be available for an in-person interview in New York from mid-December 2019 to early January 2020. Human Rights Watch will make the necessary arrangements and cover reasonable travel costs to attend this interview.