Deadline: 22 February 2016
Human Rights Watch (HRW) is currently seeking applications from the eligible applicants for the post of Disability Rights Researcher/Advocate in New York, United States.
The Disability Rights Researcher/Advocate will be responsible for developing and implementing research and advocacy strategies on the human rights of persons with disabilities.
HRW defends the rights of people worldwide, and scrupulously investigates abuses, expose the facts widely, and pressure those with power to respect rights and secure justice.
Key Jobs Responsibilities
The Disability Rights Researcher/Advocate will perform the following functions-
- Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs (particularly organizations of persons with disabilities), victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, and others in the field.
- Write and publicize timely, accurate, independent and impartial reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to UN and regional bodies based on the findings of HRW research.
- Develop and implement advocacy strategies for advancing HRW’s key findings and recommendations promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, including an advocacy campaign to end shackling of persons with psychosocial disabilities.
- Research relevant advocacy targets, including UN bodies and special procedures, international and bilateral donor’s regional and national human rights mechanisms, and the media.
- Travel domestically and internationally, as required, in order to carry out research and advocacy, including fact-finding missions.
- Work collaboratively with local, regional and international organizations of persons with disabilities to ensure that HRW’s work on disability rights complements and enhances their own work.
- Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights and disability rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate.
- Perform other duties as required.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have-
- An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, history or social sciences is required.
- A minimum of three years of experience working on human rights issues, particularly disability rights, is required. Relevant experience may include, among other things, work as an investigative reporter or attorney on issues related to disability rights; research and advocacy for nonprofit organizations; or work in government and international organizations on policies relating to disability rights.
- Experience in designing and implementing successful advocacy initiatives at all level and a demonstrated commitment to disability rights is required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; other language skills desirable.
- Ability to identify, research, analyzes and effectively communicates important human rights developments that pertain to disability rights.
- Proven experience in writing research materials for a variety of audiences.
- Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with people with diverse disabilities.
- Ability to identify and advice on advocacy strategies.
- Ability to produce high-quality written material under tight deadlines.
- Ability to multi-task effectively, including having strong planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure.
- Ability to think strategically about the global and local media environments and how to use the media and electronic media to further goals.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a letter of interest describing their experience, resume, contact details for three references, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others) via email, with “Disability Rights Researcher/Advocate Application Ref: DRD-16-1002” as the subject line.
For more information, please visit HRW.
