Assistant Researcher - Africa Division

HRW - Human Rights Watch

Rwanda, Outside Europe

The Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking highly qualified applicants for the position of Assistant Researcher on Rwanda. The Africa Division works to advance human rights in Africa and conducts a wide range of work, including investigation, report writing, advocacy and media work. The Assistant Researcher will be based in Kigali, Rwanda and will be part of the Great Lakes team. The position reports to a Senior Researcher in the Africa Division.

Responsibilities:

1. Researching and documenting the human rights situation in Rwanda, including interviewing victims and witnesses of abuses, and collecting and analyzing information from a range of sources including the Rwandan government, media, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, and others in the country;
2. Drafting reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, and other documents on the human rights situation in Rwanda, as needed, in a concise and accurate manner, with a quick turnaround time;
3. Contributing to the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to protect human rights in laws, policies, and practices in Rwanda;
4. Analyzing the human rights situation within the broader political, social and economic context of Rwanda and presenting human rights concerns to government officials, diplomats, and NGOs, in consultation with the Senior Researcher;
5. Working closely with local and international human rights groups to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their work;
6. Responding promptly to queries from HRW colleagues, human rights NGOs and others;
7. Coordinating and supporting the work of local staff in Rwanda, in conjunction with the Senior Researcher;
8. Liaising effectively with HRW staff located in different countries to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
9. Assisting with research by other members of HRW’s Great Lakes team, as needed, in particular in Burundi;
10. Being prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;Traveling domestically and internationally, as required, to conduct research and advocacy or attend meetings with colleagues;
11. Delivering outputs in a timely manner and maintaining consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Africa Division; and
12. Carrying out any other duties, including administrative tasks, as required.

Qualifications:

Education: A bachelor’s degree in international relations, law, journalism, social sciences or studies relating to the country relevant to the function is required. 

Experience: A minimum of three years of experience working in an office environment or assisting in field research is required. Experience working or volunteering for a non-governmental organization and experience traveling to Rwanda or the Great Lakes region are required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of political and human rights developments in Rwanda and the Great Lakes region is required;
2. Ability to multi-task effectively and work under pressure with strong planning and organizing skills are required;
3. Strong interpersonal and team-building skills in order to work collaboratively with local HRW staff, other HRW colleagues and external partners are required;
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French are required;
5. Strong initiative and the capacity to think creatively and strategically are required;
6. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is 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.

Contact:Please apply immediately or by 24 July by emailing, in a single submission, a letter of interest describing your experience, curriculum vitae, contact details for three references, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others) to africajobs@hrw.org. Please use “Assistant Researcher Ref: AFR-15-1048” as the subject of your email.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted 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.