Researcher, Southeast Asia

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Researcher, Southeast Asia
Asia Division 
Multiple Asia Locations Considered
Application deadline: 17 December 2025

The Asia Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking applicants for the position of Southeast Asia Researcher to research human rights issues in the region, with a focus on the Philippines, Cambodia or other countries as needed. The researcher will be responsible for developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda on human rights conditions in specified countries.

The Asia Division is one of HRW’s six regional research programs and is made up of about 30 staff, many of them based in the region and working in challenging environments. The Asia Division works to promote human rights in Asia by conducting human rights investigations, writing reports, advocating, and working with partners and media.

This full-time position reports to a Deputy Asia Director and will be based in the Asia region. The role is remote and expected to start in February 2026.

Responsibilities:

1. Research, monitor and document the human rights situation in the Philippines, Cambodia, as well as other countries if required, by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, media, academia, NGOs, victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others;
2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;
3. Lead development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices in specified countries;
4. Respond to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debates;
5. Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
6. Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW's work complements and enhances their own work without jeopardizing their security;
7. Assist the Asia Division and HRW’s Development and Global Initiative Department in conducting fundraising;
8. Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
9. Travel internationally, as required;
10. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Asia division;
11. Carry out other tasks as required.

Qualifications:

Education: A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent level of experience in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or related studies is required.

Experience: A minimum of five years of professional-level experience working on Southeast Asia, with experience of human rights documentation or related research topics on the Philippines, Cambodia or other countries, is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and one Asian language are required.
2. Significant knowledge of human rights and politics in the Philippines or Cambodia and a willingness to invest time into developing expertise on the other countries and new thematic human rights topics is required. Familiarity with additional Southeast Asian countries, especially Malaysia or Thailand, or thematic topics, including labor rights, is desirable.
3. Ability to identify, prioritize, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in a rigorous, timely and sophisticated fashion is required.
4. Ability to conduct interviews safely remotely and in-person with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses, is required.
5. Ability to produce high quality written materials under tight deadlines is required.
6. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law are required.
7. Strong initiative and follow-through, capacity to think creatively and strategically, including while under pressure, are required.
8. Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.
9. Ability to be self-directed and multi-task effectively, including having strong planning and organizing skills, in order to execute responsibilities with remote supervision, is required.
10. 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. 
11. Demonstrated ability and willingness to think strategically about global and local media environments and how to use traditional and social media to further goals is required. Experience conducting media interviews is desired.
12. Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events is required.

Salary and Benefits: HRW offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.

How to Apply: Please apply by 17 December, 2025, by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and submitting a cover letter and CV or resume. 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 if you 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.