Program Manager, Technology and Human Rights

FIXED-TERM, FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Program Manager
Technology and Human Rights Division
Multiple Locations Considered
Application Deadline: 25 May 2022

The newly founded Tech and Rights Division at Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Program Manager on technology and human rights.

Our mission is to investigate how companies, governments, and other powerful actors develop and use technology in ways that impact peoples’ rights. We conduct research that helps to establish and vigorously defend the rights, norms and rules that govern powerful technologies and its use.

To do this, we’re building up a diverse team that spearheads and leads impactful investigations into socio-technical systems. As a truly cross-cutting topic, issues related to technology and rights touches on the work of many of our collogues across the organization. That’s why we’re hiring an experienced Program Panager with deep thematic and research expertise to help us support the wider organization, while further deepening and expanding our own capacity to conduct research and advocacy related to technology and rights.

This is a one-year fixed term position with the possibility of extension dependent upon available funding. This position reports to the Director of the Tech and Rights Division, based in Berlin, and will preferably be based in any major HRW office. We are open to discuss a part-time arrangement, if required.

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 until offices fully re- open. 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. Review and advise a wide range of tech-related research (reports, press releases, etc.) that is being produced by Human Rights Watch’s regional and thematic divisions to ensure that our positions are consistent and in accordance with international human rights standards and guidance provided by Human Rights Watch
2. Support and provide strategic advice on project design and advocacy strategies and goals related to tech and human rights
3. Map the organization’s positions on technology and human rights, identify gaps, and opportunities for future work
4. Produce tutorials and guides in collaboration with researchers in the division for internal use on how to conduct impactful research on the intersection of technology and rights
5. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and maintaining consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the division
6. Collaborate with colleagues within the division to contribute to rigorous research and advocacy in line with the division’s emerging strategy.
7. Drafting memos including on human rights analysis of tech issues to inform HRW’s research and positions on tech-related rights issues
8. Perform other tasks, as may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: A Master’s degree in international human rights law, political or social sciences or equivalent working experience in a relevant field is preferred.

Experience: A minimum of five year of experience working in a similar role is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge

1. Demonstratable knowledge of a broad range of human rights and technology issues, as well as policy debates, such as platform accountability, data privacy, online censorship, surveillance, and biometrics.
2. Ideally, experience working on human rights and technology issues in Asia, Africa, or Latin America
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.
4. Solid knowledge of research methods, and research design, specifically about researching large-scale socio-technical systems
5. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with external partners are required.
6. Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing and editing skills, are required.
7. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.

Other: Candidates must possess valid work authorization for the location in which they will be based; we are unable to provide work visa sponsorship for this role.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.

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.