FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Africa Division
Location: TBD
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
The Program Department of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is
seeking a senior, experienced professional as the Executive
Director of Africa Division, which is the organization’s
chief strategist and representative for all matters
involving sub-Saharan Africa. The Executive Director
is responsible for developing effective research, advocacy
and communications strategies for maximum impact in
defending human rights in sub-Saharan Africa, and for
ensuring that these strategies inform the work of the entire
organization. The Executive Director is also responsible for
supervising talented staff, setting priorities and
overseeing detailed research on human rights issues in
sub-Saharan Africa including emergency situations by
publishing compelling, analytic reports and other advocacy
materials and using these publications to generate domestic
and international pressure to curb human rights violations.
The position could be based in HRW’s Nairobi or
Johannesburg offices, but other options including Human
Rights Watch’s New York headquarters are possible. The
position reports to the Deputy Program Director based in New
York.
Essential Responsibilities:
Set program priorities and oversee research, reporting, and
advocacy on human rights issues in sub-Saharan Africa;
2. Oversee the publication of analytical
and credible reports and other advocacy materials, ensuring
such materials generate domestic and international pressure
to curb human rights in sub-Saharan Africa;
Communicate regularly with the Deputy Executive Director for
Program, his deputies, and other HRW senior managers to
ensure the program’s policies and objectives are aligned
with the organization’s focus;
Liaise effectively with HRW staff around the world to ensure
effective coordination of the Africa Division’s work
across program boundaries to maximize impact;
5. Respond to and/or
anticipate relevant news events in order to frame developing
news stories through a human rights prism, advise senior
management on effective responses and advocacy strategies,
and project a human rights perspective into coverage of key
human rights issues, regionally, nationally, and globally;
6. Represent the organization frequently
before the international media and advocate with high-level
officials from governments, multilateral organizations,
African Union, United Nations, and other relevant
international and regional institutions;
Coordinate closely with the Development Department on
fundraising, providing requested information, drafting
reports to donors in a timely manner, promoting the work of
HRW as a whole, and actively soliciting and following up
with potential new donors to achieve program-specific
fundraising goals;
Foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning;
monitor and adjust program plans and actions as necessary;
and resolve any disputes or conflicts in a timely manner
with appropriate consultation with supervisors and HRW
senior managers;
Collaborate with key colleagues within HRW and externally
with allied organizations;
Travel internationally on a frequent basis; and
Carry out other duties as necessary.
Managerial Responsibilities:
Manage the division’s output and staff effectively with
the aim of promoting and maintaining strong unity and sense
of purpose within the program;
Manage the division’s budget, in cooperation with the
Finance Division and others in the division, to ensure
adequate and timely oversight of resources and ensure that
resources are allocated to maximize impact;
Establish clear work plans for staff based in three
continents and communicate priorities clearly and
effectively and provide oversight and take responsibility
for delegated assignments;
Ensure that the workload of staff is manageable and the
reporting lines are clear;
Provide appropriate and timely feedback on staff performance
and leadership on employee relations through effective
communication, conflict mediation, guidance, coaching, and
training, including with staff in supervisory positions;
Operate in compliance with organizational regulations and
rules, including the policies of applicable employee
agreements; and
Ensure the security of staff, information security, and
security of interlocutors and partners in their work with
HRW; ensure that staff receive appropriate training in
security policies and procedures, and that relevant policies
and procedures are implemented effectively; and oversee the
security of offices under direct program supervision.
Qualifications:
Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in law, human
rights, African studies, international relations, public
policy or a relevant field is required.
Experience: A minimum of 10 years of extensive, varied
experience in human rights work concerning Africa or
comparable work including investigations, reporting, and
advocacy, with at least five years in a management position
is required.
Related Skills and Knowledge:
Extensive knowledge of and substantive senior-level
experience working on human rights in Africa is
required.
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively
and work quickly and well under pressure are required.
Capacity to serve as an effective spokesperson, advocate and
activist is required.
Track record of dealing with the media and cultivating
relationships with journalists is required; experience with
multimedia and social media is desirable.
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
are required; proficiency in French and/or other relevant
languages is highly desirable.
6. Ability to defend and explain complex
issues and positions to governments and intergovernmental
bodies at the highest level is required.
Ability to work collegially in a demanding, diverse and
fast-paced environment and strong interpersonal skills in
order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with
local partners, government officials and external partners
are required.
Excellent leadership skills and recognized management
experience are required, including supervising a team of
talented professionals from diverse backgrounds and cultures
in multiple global locations.
Keen judgment and capacity to appropriately plan, organize,
prioritize and manage multiple, sometimes competing demands
efficiently in a challenging environment is required.
Self-motivation with proven initiative and follow-through
are required.
Strong commitment to human rights are required.
Relevant international field experience and familiarity with
human rights research methodologies and international human
rights laws are desirable.
Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and
offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.
HRW offers a relocation assistance package and will assist
employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if
required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to
apply.
How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our
online job portal at https://careers-hrw.icims.com/jobs/1303/login. No phone
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 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.
