Senior Researcher, DRC

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Senior Researcher
Africa Division
Kinshasa
Application Deadline: February 23, 2025

The Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking applicants for the position of Senior Researcher on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Africa Division works to promote human rights in Africa and conducts a wide range of work, including human rights investigations, report writing, advocacy, building local partnerships, and media work. The Senior Researcher will be responsible for developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda on human rights conditions in the DRC. The position reports to an Associate Director in the Africa Division and will preferably be based in Kinshasa with regular travel to Goma. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Research, monitor and document human rights abuses in the DRC by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, local activists, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others in the field;
2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies to disseminate our research findings and policy recommendations for addressing human rights abuses;
3. Identify and highlight key political and human rights trends and emerging issues, and analyze abuses within the broader political, social, and economic context to highlight factors contributing to abuses and avenues for effective change; 
4. Project Human Rights Watch’s concerns into public debates and to generate tangible pressure on human rights abusers and to find innovative approaches in light of the obstacles and resources available;
5. Conduct media interviews and high-level advocacy on Human Rights Watch’s research findings and recommendations with Congolese officials, diplomats, and others;
6. Respond to and anticipate news events in order to press human rights issues; to assess when and where to make public interventions such as op-eds; and think creatively about using multimedia and social media to communicate our positions in clear and compelling ways and to advance advocacy; 
7. Contribute to internal HRW policy debates on issues relevant to their expertise on the DRC;
8. Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international advocacy strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
9. Present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
10. Oversee the work of junior researchers and research assistants, participate in security meetings, and edit reports and other material by other researchers and assisting and advising them on missions;
11. Lead, motivate, and mentor direct-reports, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive feedback, ensuring balanced workload, providing guidance on professional growth, and monitoring staff well-being as it pertains to stress and resilience issues and self-care; 
12. Work closely with colleague non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work;
13. Travel domestically and overseas, as required, to conduct fact-finding missions and advocacy; 
14. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and maintain consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Africa Division; 
15. Assist the Africa Division and HRW’s Development and Outreach Department in conducting fundraising; 
16. Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events; and
17. Carry out any other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: 
Education: A Bachelor’s level degree in international relations, related studies, journalism, law, or social sciences, or equivalent working experience, is required. An advanced degree in a related field is desirable

Experience: A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in human rights, media, or a related field is required. Experience in field research and documentation skills, including time spent living and/or working in the DRC are required.   

Related Skills and Knowledge:  
1. Ability to think strategically in order to develop and implement realistic and effective local and international advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities and lead high-level advocacy meetings is required. 
2. Demonstrated ability to think strategically about the global and local media environments and how to use the media and electronic media to further advocacy goals is required.
3. Significant knowledge of human rights and politics in the DRC, and the ability to identify, research, analyze, and effectively communicate important human rights developments in the DRC, are required. 
4. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in the DRC are required.
5. Ability to efficiently distil information about the DRC so as to focus time and effort on issues of greatest importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced is required. 
6. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is required. 
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French, including media engagement and public speaking skills, are required. 
8. Ability to write and edit accurate, persuasive, well-organized, analytical, and timely reports and press releases is required.
9. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work well under pressure are required. 
10. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively and effectively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, media and other external partners in a culturally sensitive manner is required.
11. Experience supervising staff and working with partners in a positive, collaborative, diverse, and inclusive work environment is required.  
12. Promote inclusive and positive work environment and model wellness practices and inclusive behavior that consistently adhere to HRW’s internal values 
13. Knowledge of the particular stresses of working to defend human rights and understanding the importance of building personal and organizational resilience are required.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance. The salary range for this position is USD 79,500 – 85,000. 

How to Apply: Please apply by February 23, 2025 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a cover letter and resume, preferably in PDF format. 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 or require a disability related accommodation, 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.