Human Rights Watch EAST AFRICA PRESS OFFICER

PART-TIME JOB VACANCY
East Africa Press Officer
Communications Division
(Nairobi Office)
Application Deadline: July 28, 2013

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking highly qualified applicants for the position of part-time (1 day per week) East Africa Press Officerto promote Human Rights Watch’s work to the media in the East Africa region. The Press Officer will report to the Communications Director based in New York.

Responsibilities:

1. Distribute press materials, such as news releases and reports to media in Kenya and East Africa;

2. Pitch story ideas to relevant journalists;

3. Help maintain and build Human Rights Watch’s media contact database;

4. Assist Human Rights Watch researchers and advocates in planning and implementing media strategies in Kenya and East Africa;

5. Assist with preparation for news conferences, meetings, and special events;

6. Monitor media coverage; and

7. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education:  A degree in Journalism, English, or other relevant fields is required; an advanced degree is desirable.

Experience:  Minimum 3 years of experience in journalism is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Experience working in a demanding, diverse, and fast-paced media environmentboth independently and as a member of a team is required;

2. Network of contacts with key interlocutors in East Africa media scene;

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

4. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners and external media partners are required.

5. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Swahili are required.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess current Kenyan work authorization valid for a minimum of two years from start date.

Salary: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation. Salary range available upon request.

Contact: Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief pitch note for a recent HRW report (unedited by others), and contact information for three references to pressjobs@hrw.org. Please use“East Africa Press Officer Ref COMMS-13-1033-A” as the subject of your email.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.

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.