Senior Researcher, Yemen and Bahrain

FULL-TIME VACANCY YEMEN AND BAHRAIN SENIOR RESEARCHER Middle East and North Africa Division London or Amman office preferred Application Deadline: 14 August 2022

The Middle East & North Africa (“MENA”) Division of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking applicants for the position of Yemen and Bahrain Senior Researcher. The Senior Researcher will be responsible for developing and implementing a long-term research and advocacy strategy on Yemen and Bahrain. The position will be based in one of HRW’s offices, ideally, in the London office. The Researcher will report to a Deputy Director in the Middle East and North Africa Division based in New York.

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.

Essential Responsibilities:

1. Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including through interviews with victims and witnesses and the analysis of physical evidence or photographs and videos, as well as by monitoring reports from and speaking with government officials, local media, healthcare workers, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces, and others; 2. Conduct fact-finding missions as needed and if security permits; 3. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings of your research, including through an active social media presence; 4. Collaborate with colleagues in the multimedia team to produce videos and other visual materials that convey research findings and advocacy messages; 5. Develop and implement local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices and to hold those most responsible for serious abuses to account; 6. Present human rights and humanitarian law issues and concerns to government officials, armed groups, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media to promote civilian protection and human rights reforms; 7. Identify and highlight key political and human rights trends and emerging issues, and analyze abuses within the broader political, social, and economic context to highlight factors contributing to abuses and avenues for effective change; 8. Work closely with local and regional human rights organizations to ensure that the work of HRW in Yemen and Bahrain complements and enhances their own work; 9. Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate; 10. Respond to and/or anticipate news events in order to press human rights issues; to assess when and where to make public interventions such as op-eds; and think creatively about using the web and social media to generate public support for human rights issues and further advocacy goals; 11. Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities; 12. Oversee the work of consultants as needed, and edit reports and other material on Yemen and Bahrain by other researchers; 13. Establish clear work plans for other staff, consultants, or interns working on a project led by the senior researcher and ensure that their workload is manageable, that priorities are clearly and effectively communicated, and that they are given proper guidance, training, and support on issues of security and resilience; 14. Contribute to internal HRW policy debates on issues relevant to your expertise and areas of focus; 15. Assist the directors of the division and HRW’s Development Department with fundraising; 16. Travel domestically and internationally, as required, in order to carry out research and advocacy; 17. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and maintain consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the division and organization; and 18. Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education: An advanced (graduate) degree or an equivalent level of working experience in international relations, journalism, law, history or social sciences is required.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of experience working on human rights issues or humanitarian law, ideally in the Middle East and/or North Africa, is required. Candidates should be recognized as an expert in their field who is consulted by policymakers, journalists, academics, activists, and others interested in the country they cover.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required; Arabic language fluency is required. 2. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in Yemen and Bahrain is required. 3. Proven track record of working in dynamic situations, including ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with victims, witnesses, officials, and a wide range of other people is required. 4. Ability to think strategically in dynamic situations to develop and implement realistic and effective local and international advocacy and media strategies is required. 5. Ability to write and edit accurate, persuasive, well-organized, analytical, and timely reports and press releases is required. 6. Strong initiative and follow-through, capacity to think creatively and strategically, and dynamic public speaking skills are required. 7. Interest and expertise in innovative research areas, including poverty and inequality, and the impact of climate change on human rights, is highly desired. 8. Experience working with innovative technologies to document human rights violations, such as remote sensing and the use of open-source techniques, is highly desirable. 9. Experience managing physical and digital security in dynamic and at times dangerous environments is required. 10. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required. 11. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having strong planning and organizing skills, and ability to work under pressure are required. 12. Ability to manage issues related to stress and resilience in a challenging and fast-paced job is required. 13. Experience working with colleagues, staff, vendors, and partners from diverse backgrounds in a positive, collaborative, and inclusive team environment is required. 14. Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events is required. 15. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is essential. 16. A successful track record in fundraising is desirable. 17. Strong knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and international humanitarian law is required.

Other: This role requires regular domestic/international travel, sometimes with short notice, to conduct research missions. Candidates must be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events as needed.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and 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.

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.