Are you passionate about human rights and eager to help our team push the UK Government to live up to its human rights obligations in the UK and globally? Come join us! Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Coordinator to provide assistance to our London-based advocacy and communications team.

In addition to the administrative duties of this role, the Coordinator will participate in the planning and implementation of HRW’s advocacy and communications strategy in the UK. This is a full-time position based in our London office and reports to the UK Director. Successful candidates will be based in London once our offices are fully re-opened; in the interim candidates may be based elsewhere but will be expected to keep UK working hours.

Due to COVID-19, many of our global offices are closed or operating in reduced capacities. The successful candidate may be required to work remotely until our London office fully re-opens. We recognize that this pandemic moment 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 and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide day-to-day administrative support to the UK Director such as scheduling meetings, managing subscriptions, building and maintaining an effective information management system and contact databases, responding to internal and external requests for information, making travel arrangements for research and advocacy trips, recording and processing departmental finances, preparing for and taking minutes at meetings, updating staff profiles on HRW’s website.

2. Assist in developing and implementing advocacy strategies on specific countries/thematic issues with the UK government and parliamentary bodies; identify and undertake research to promote our advocacy objectives; collaborate with HRW staff to identify and create opportunities that support their advocacy efforts in the UK and provide timely information on developments and negotiations within the UK government and Parliament in order to seize advocacy opportunities; and maintain relationships and identify opportunities to strategically collaborate with other UK based civil society organisations.

3. Assist in building and promoting Human Rights Watch’s media presence and profile with UK based media. Assist in identifying opportunities to promote Human Rights Watch work and our broader communications goals with media based in the UK, including handling press queries, managing press contacts and pitching staff and issues;

4. Help to cultivate strong relationships with UK-based journalists and media outlets, including updating relevant contacts in the HRW media database;

5. Attend external meetings and represent HRW at advocacy meetings and events, including with researchers and other colleagues when they come to the UK;

6. Prepare, draft, edit, format, and distribute materials such as letters, briefing papers, talking points, background research, online articles, and other publications, as needed;

7. Monitor and track policy developments, official statements and visits, and legislative plans; track key UK policy debates including legislative analysis;

8. Monitor and analyze media coverage of HRW in the UK;

9. Assist researchers who undertake research projects in the UK, including providing support in organizing the research mission, creating contacts with partners, conducting the interviews, and arranging advocacy around the research;

10. Assist with organizing media and advocacy events, including news conferences and briefings, roundtables, trainings, and other events;

11.  Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Law or Communication, or a related field is required.
Experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience. Experience working in UK non-governmental organizations and/or media outlets is desirable.

Required Skills and Knowledge:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

2. A solid understanding of international relations, human rights and communications is required. Related experience with UK institutions, NGOs or media outlets is highly desirable.

3. Strong interpersonal skills are required.

4. Independent judgment and discretion, as well as tact, diplomacy, and maturity in dealing with colleagues at all levels of the organization is required.

5. Ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously is required.

6. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

7. Ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as well as function as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations globally are required.

8. Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills are required.

9. Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications is required.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess valid UK work authorization.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers comprehensive compensation and benefits.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by June 23, 2021 by visiting our online job portal at www.careers.hrw.org. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, please email recruitment@hrw.org. 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.