Associate Director, Immigration and Border Policy

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY Associate Director, US Immigration and Border Policy US Program Multiple Locations Considered Application Deadline: July 31, 2022

The United States Program of Human Rights Watch protects and promotes the fundamental rights and dignity of every person subject to the authority of the US government. We investigate and expose 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. We prioritize issues affecting people who are most likely to have difficulty vindicating their rights through the political process or in the courts. Our investigations become the basis for strategic advocacy to press those in power to effect changes in laws and policies to respect fundamental rights.

The Associate Director, US Immigration Policy reports to the Director of the US Program and may be based anywhere in the United States. The Associate Director has three main areas of responsibility related to US immigration and border policy: serving as an internal expert and guiding this body of our work, conducting research on human rights violations and advocacy with relevant stakeholders to change laws and practices, and supervising a small team of staff and consultants working in this area.

Due to COVID-19, many of our global offices are operating in reduced capacities. The successful candidate may be required to work remotely as local mandates necessitate. 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide leadership by working with other HRW colleagues to set the US Program’s strategic goals for its immigration work in light of: a) the Program’s overarching mission to combat racial and economic injustice in the US and b) the Program’s emphasis on conducting its work in ways that invest in mutually-beneficial partnership and that center the lived experience of all categories of migrants and immigrants, including asylum seekers and refugees; 2. Under the direction of the US Program Director, and in collaboration with other managers in the US Program, hire and manage consultants and possibly one additional permanent staff member (depending on resources) to execute those strategic goals; 3. Develop, implement, oversee and coordinate effective research and advocacy projects on US immigration and border policy that are factually and legally accurate, sensitive to political and economic contextual factors, movement-generous, and relevant to the goals and concerns of directly-impacted people. Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including directly affected people, grassroots and grasstops partner organizations, litigators, governmental and agency personnel, journalists, and others in the field; 4. Conceptualize, lead, conduct, and coordinate advocacy targeting the actors most capable of influencing or carrying out desired change. Ground this advocacy within analyses of HRW’s most effective and movement-generous role within the US social change ecosystem. Collaborate in the development and implementation of local, state, national, and international strategies aimed at changing abusive laws, policies, and practices; 5. Present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, courts, partner organizations, international organizations (governmental and non-governmental), and the media; 6. Project Human Rights Watch’s concerns into public debates and to generate tangible pressure on human rights abusers and to find innovative approaches in light of the obstacles and resources available; 7. Respond to and/or anticipate news events in order to: press human rights issues, assess when and where to make public interventions such as op-eds, think creatively about producing and using multimedia, campaigns, and other digital assets to generate public support for human rights advocacy goals; 8. As part of the management team of the US Program, contribute to internal HRW policy debates on issues relevant to the rights of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, edit the work of other divisions of HRW related to US immigration policy and advise them on research projects, and contribute to strategic decision making within the US Program; 9. Oversee the work of researchers and research assistants; upon completion of relevant required training, participate in security meetings, and edit reports and other material by other researchers and assisting and advising them on research trips; 10. Lead, motivate, and mentor direct-reports, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive feedback, ensuring balanced workload, providing guidance on professional growth, and monitoring staff well-being as it pertains to stress and resilience issues and self-care; 11. Promote an inclusive and positive work environment including by incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion values into the US Program’s research and advocacy, working with staff to develop initiatives aimed at movement-building and expanding our partnership with diverse directly affected individuals and other stakeholders, and building an inclusive team environment for direct reports; 12. Write and publicize policy and legal / regulatory analysis, letters, news releases, short commentary and blog posts, tweet threads, op-eds, reports, and submissions to international bodies; 13. Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community; 14. Work closely with directly affected people, and non-governmental partner organizations to ensure that HRW’s work is responsive to directly affected people’s needs and is in close partnership with them; 15. Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the US and the world to ensure effective coordination; 16. Perform speaking duties and represent the US Program in public forums; 17. Maintain and build donor relationships, including by representing the Program before donors, by conceptualizing new funding initiatives and donor engagement opportunities in coordination with the Managing and Interim Directors, and the Development team, and by working on grant proposals and reports; 18. Travel, as required, to conduct and lead research and advocacy work; and 19. Carry out any other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, related studies, journalism, law, or social sciences, or relevant working experience, is preferred.

Experience: Minimum years (7) years of relevant professional experience is preferred, though we’re open to hearing from all candidates who think that they can be successful in this role even if they don’t have all of our desired qualifications. Candidates directly-impacted by US immigration, border, deportation, detention, and/or asylum policies are strongly encouraged to apply. Should be recognized as an expert on US immigration and border policy who is consulted by policymakers, advocates, partner organizations, journalists, academics, activists.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Demonstrated ability to manage complex and/or innovative projects with minimal supervision.
2. Ability to work with a high level of independence in developing and implementing research and advocacy projects.
3. Ability to effectively and independently lead and conduct highly effective advocacy campaigns influencing change.
4. Experience supervising fellows, researchers, and other staff is preferred.
5. Ability to pioneer, implement, oversee, and coordinate research and advocacy projects.
6. Ability to think strategically in order to develop and implement realistic and effective local and international advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities is required.
7. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is preferred.
8. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, including public speaking skills is required; proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable. Additional languages are also valued.
9. 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.
10. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, media, and other external partners is required.
11. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.
12. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

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

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 governments and international institutions.