Full-Time Position Available:
COLOMBIA RESEARCHER
Americas Division
(Washington, DC, or New York Office)
Apply Immediately

Human Rights Watch («HRW») is seeking highly-qualified applicants for the position of Colombia Researcher with the Americas Division.

Description: The Researcher in HRW’s Americas Division will be responsible for developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda focusing on Colombia. A primary objective of the research and advocacy will be to curb violations of human rights and international humanitarian law («IHL») through, among other things: monitoring and documenting human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, NGOs, local and international journalists, diplomats, security forces, victims and perpetrators of abuse, civil society leaders, and others in the field; writing reports, briefing memos, statements, advocacy documents, op-eds, articles, and press releases, as well as submissions to international bodies, on human rights concerns in Colombia as needed, in a concise and accurate manner, in tight timeframes; responding promptly to queries from the press, public, and colleagues in the human rights community; helping to design and implement local and international advocacy strategies to improve respect for human rights and IHL in Colombia, by publicizing research findings, briefing government and U.N. officials, and working with local NGOs and human rights activists; working closely with regional human rights organizations to ensure that the work of HRW in Latin America complements and enhances their own work; and developing recommendations to stop or prevent abuses.

The position will be based in HRW’s Washington, DC or New York office. If the person is based in New York, s/he must be prepared to travel regularly to Washington, DC, to conduct advocacy.

Qualifications: The ideal applicant will have strong research and documentation skills and be capable of producing excellent written material in English under tight deadlines. A law degree or legal background is preferred, though candidates with advanced degrees in international relations, public policy, journalism, or the social sciences will also be considered. A background in human rights issues in Latin America and experience living or working in the region are critical assets. Outstanding oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish are essential. The ideal applicant will have strong analytical skills and will be highly motivated, well-organized, flexible, able to work quickly and well under pressure both independently and as a member of a team, and will have a demonstrated commitment to international human rights.

S/he must be prepared to spend substantial periods of time traveling throughout Colombia and, depending on the needs of the division, occasionally to other Latin American countries.

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.

PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY (no calls or email inquiries, please) by emailing together a letter of interest, resume, references, salary requirements, a copy of your transcript(s) and/or degree certificate(s), and a brief writing sample (unedited by others) to

Please use «Researcher Ref AME-10-1059-A» as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. It is preferred that all materials be submitted via email in a single word document. If emailing is not possible, send materials (please do not split a submission between email and regular post) to:

Human Rights Watch
Attn: Search Committee (Researcher Ref AME-10-1059-A)
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118
Fax: (212) 736-1300

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.

The Americas Division of Human Rights Watch (formerly Americas Watch) was established in 1981 to monitor human rights throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.