Senior Surveillance Researcher

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

SENIOR SURVEILLANCE RESEARCHER

Technology and Human Rights Division

Multiple Locations Considered

Application Deadline: January 22, 2023

The Technology and Human Rights Division is seeking a Senior Surveillance Researcher to investigate and advocate against human rights abuses related to digital surveillance and policing technologies. The Tech and Rights Division investigates 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.

The Senior Surveillance Researcher will focus on global human rights challenges related to the development, procurement, and (mis)use of an ever-expanding suite of digital surveillance and policing technologies, from spyware, mobile phone extraction, and biometric and face recognition systems to smart city applications, as well as the role of the private sector.

HRW investigates and reports on abuses happening in all corners of the world. The newly founded Technology and Human Rights Division’s strategy on surveillance is premised on the fact that some of today’s most prevalent technologies are not just reproducing, but also amplifying long-standing societal problems like racial, global, and economic injustice. We are looking for an experienced researcher with a track record of impactful investigations into the surveillance industry, policing technologies, and uses and abuses of government surveillance.

This full-time position will report to the Director of the Technology and Human Rights Division who is based in Berlin, Germany, and will collaborate with other team members as well as colleagues in regional and thematic division. This position may be based in any location that HRW has an office. The anticipated start date of this position is April 2023.

Due to Covid-19, many of our global offices are operating in reduced capacities. The successful candidate may be required to work remotely if local mandates necessitate. We recognize that this moment, during the pandemic, continues to be 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. Develop a plan for strategic research and advocacy projects, in line with the technology and rights division’s multiyear strategic plan, and in close collaboration with colleagues in other regional and thematic divisions and external partners, to promote rights-based reforms on surveillance and technologies that protect rights;

2. Research, monitor, and investigate human rights abuses related to government surveillance, paying particular attention to the the private sector’s role and the disproportionate impact of surveillance on specific populations, such as women, minorities, older people, LGBT people, human rights defenders, and people living in poverty;

3. Interview persons directly affected or targeted by surveillance, relevant state and non-state actors (e.g., prosecutors, law enforcement and security officials, private sector representatives), and professionals and experts (e.g., civil society organizations, technologists, defense attorneys, and national security, surveillance, and criminal justice experts) where possible;

4. Research how technical systems are developed, maintained, and deployed using a variety of investigative approaches, from procurement documents to Freedom of Information Requests (in contexts where this is an option), to finding and analyzing large databases, or other publicly available (online) information.

5. Write accurate, unbiased, comprehensive, and timely products and advocacy documents based on the findings of your research;

6. Develop and implement advocacy strategies in collaboration with HRW colleagues to reform abusive policies or practices or to regulate or ban the procurement, deployment or sale of abusive surveillance and policing technologies;

7. Advise and collaborate with HRW colleagues in other thematic and regional divisions on research design, recommendations, and advocacy strategies regarding surveillance and human rights issues, and review and edit the work they produce;

8. Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;

9. Seek out opportunities to speak at conferences and in the media about surveillance, policing technology and human rights;

10. Collaborate closely with relevant departments of HRW, including the legal and policy team, the advocacy department and the General Counsel’s office;

11. Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work;

12. Travel domestically and internationally, as required, to conduct research and advocacy; and

13. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications:**

Candidate Profile

Candidates who are traditionally underrepresented in the technology and/or human rights sectors (such as people who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, migrants, people with disabilities, or people who have other related lived experiences) are enthusiastically encouraged to apply if they feel they have the ability to succeed in this role, even if they do not have all the skills and qualifications listed below.

Education: An advanced degree in journalism, law, public policy, national security, criminal law/policy, or a related field or equivalent experience is preferred.

Experience: A minimum of seven years of experience is required. This experience could come from a variety of previous roles including, but not limited to journalists who have covered technology, community activism, work at impact litigation organizations, academics, or industry professionals. The successful candidate will have deep domain expertise, as well as a track record of conducting research and investigations at the intersection of human rights abuses, surveillance, and policing technologies.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Extensive knowledge of government surveillance and the private sector’s role, a large variety of surveillance technologies and industries, surveillance oversight mechanisms, data protection, privacy and human rights is required.

2. Deep commitment to human rights is required, and an appreciation for how surveillance practices disproportionately impact women, minorities, older people, and people living in poverty.

3. Proven track record of producing timely and high-quality written research and investigations, as well as editing experience is required.

4. Being comfortable with generating and executing research projects, and the curiosity and creativity to follow through and follow up is required.

5. Exceptionally strong research, analytical, writing, and editing skills are required.

6. Experience conducting challenging investigative research globally is required, as is the ability to dig deep and tenacity in finding hard-to-get information, sources and records.

7. Being comfortable with data and spreadsheets is highly desirable.

8. Good oral and written communication skills in English, and strong public speaking skills, are required; proficiency in other languages, is highly desirable.

9. Experience with TV, radio, print, and social media is highly desirable.

10. Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as successfully with a team is required.

11. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW and in a diverse environment, as well as with partners, are required.

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

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. If this position were to be based in the United States, the salary range would be USD 82,000-95,000. Salary ranges outside of the United States vary based on location.

Other: Applicants for this position must be willing to travel frequently and be prepared to spend extensive time outside the office doing research or advocacy.

**How to Apply:**Please apply immediately or by January 22, 2023 by visiting our online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org and attach a cover letter and resume/CV. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you have difficulty completing your application submission, or if you require a disability-related accommodation to submit your application, please reach out to [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 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.