UK Director

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
UK Director
Advocacy Department
London Office
Application Deadline: 21 June 2026

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a highly strategic and effective leader with compelling communication and interpersonal skills to lead HRW’s advocacy and media in the UK and possibly expand our nascent efforts in the Republic of Ireland and other jurisdictions where appropriate.

The UK office plays a vital role in Human Rights Watch’s efforts to encourage influential governments to defend and promote human rights in their foreign policy, as members of the United Nations (including as a P5 member) and the Commonwealth and at home. Serving as the UK Director, you will function as the key advocacy and communications strategist for HRW and the principal HRW representative in UK.  You will stay closely attuned to the UK’s political landscape and translate that into clear, actionable opportunities to turn HRW’s research into tangible human rights impact in relation to UK’s foreign and domestic policy and practice.

The successful candidate will function as the key advocate and spokesperson for HRW in the UK and other jurisdictions as appropriate, acting as our link to policy- and decision-makers and the media on our global portfolio of issues, as well as on domestic human rights concerns. They will also oversee our London office and bdiuild a culture in which staff from a broad range of backgrounds can thrive.

The UK Director will have a strong track record of effectively engaging and cultivating relationships with key stakeholders including high level policy makers and Parliamentarians and working closely and collegiately with other civil society organisations. They will be confident in engaging on mediums that reach the wider public, and have a sophisticated grasp of the media landscape and be a compelling public speaker.

This position is based in London. The successful candidate must be willing to work from the office [as needed/2-3 days per week] and reports to the Chief Advocacy Officer (“CAO”). It supervises a London-based Advocacy Officer.

Responsibilities:

UK Advocacy and Media:

1. Lead HRW’s advocacy in the UK and work with HRW colleagues to develop and implement advocacy and media strategies on a range of foreign policy and domestic issues in post-Brexit UK;
2. Promote the work of HRW in the UK (and Ireland) to influence decisionmakers, mainly key high-level government officials at 10 Downing, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and other government ministries and agencies as necessary, building access to and staying in regular contact with key policymakers and departments, working with Members of Parliament and providing evidence to Parliament, speaking at public events and seminars, influencing think tanks and other policy/advisory bodies, representing the organization in the human rights movement on a national and international stage and otherwise leveraging the UK to be a more consistent actor for human rights worldwide;
3. With the UK Senior Media Officer, strategize on promoting HRW’s work effectively to traditional and social media in the UK, building relevant relationships and contacts with journalists and media outlets to ensure HRW is as influential as possible, writing and speaking on human rights issues, telling compelling stories, crafting succinct soundbites and messages, and deploying diverse and innovative storytelling skills to promote human rights values to the broader public, maintaining leading role in advancing growth and engagement of the UK audience. Help HRW colleagues understand how and when to seize press and advocacy opportunities in the UK, both on global and domestic issues;
4. Coordinate closely with HRW advocates around the globe, at the UN (based in New York and Geneva), at the EU (based in Brussels), in Washington, and elsewhere as well as advocates in regional and thematic teams in HRW. Collaborate with the various parts of HRW, including the Advocacy and Media teams around the globe, to identify and create opportunities that support research and advocacy efforts involving the UK;
5. Work in partnership with the UK Development Director to build relationships with donors and financial prospects by representing HRW – sharing research, advocacy and impact – in an authentic and inspiring way;
6. Work with non-governmental organizations, civil society partners, and other key actors on collaborative advocacy efforts, strengthening strategic partnerships as appropriate;
7. Contribute to internal HRW policies and strategic debates. Provide regular information, political analysis, perspective, and guidance on the UK’s human rights policies to the organization, and the foreign and security implications derived from them, in particular to regional and thematic divisions and HRW’s other advocates;
8. Perform other responsibilities, as required.

London Office Leader

1. Serve as a leader to currently approximately 40 HRW staff based in the United Kingdom, building and strengthening a sense of community, connection and trust with the wider organization.
2. Act as an HRW representative in corporate governance matters for the local entity, supported by Finance, the General Counsel’s office, and other relevant departments, where applicable. This includes attendance at, and oversight of documents required for local entity board meetings.
3. Act as a signatory to relevant bank accounts and authorize payments when needed, adhering to HRW’s financial policies and controls.
4. In coordination with Global Human Resources, act as a signatory on local employment contracts, immigration forms, and other employment-related documents a needed.  
5. Work in partnership with the Operations Office Administrator (OA), Regional Operations Director, Global Human Resources team, senior leadership and HRW’s UK Union to support information sharing with office staff on organizational developments, issues and resources and elevating concerns and needs of office staff to leadership.
6. Serve as a representative of the HRW UK legal entity in relation to the HRW UK Union and seek to maintain an approach of constructive engagement with this body.
7. Work to build and maintain an inclusive environment by holding regular staff meetings, helping to create a safe space with open communication for staff.
8. Liaise with Global Human Resources, the General Counsel’s Office and the HRW UK Union in cases of office grievances, personal conduct issues, investigations or other serious matters.
9. Serve as the main point of contact during security or emergency situations in UK, and assume responsiblilty for participating in the development and review of office security plans and accounting for staff in collaboration with the Office Assistant, Regional Operations Director, Director of Physical Security, Director of Information Security, and the HRW UK Union.

Qualifications:

Education: A graduate degree in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences or equivalent work experience is required.

Experience: A minimum of ten years of policy advocacy work experience, including at least four years of management experience, is required. Work experience in an international environment, with culturally diverse teams and across multiple time zones, is a strong advantage.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Substantial knowledge of the UK government ministries and agencies, and direct experience performing policy advocacy with one or more of these bodies is strongly desired.
2. Significant human rights experience and expertise, and a demonstrated commitment to human rights.
3. Excellent political and strategic judgment and analytical and strategic-thinking capabilities.
4. Effective, concise public speaker and possess excellent speaking, writing, and editing skills in English.
5. The ability to work quickly and effectively under pressure; the capacity to pay close attention to detail while working in a fast-paced environment and juggling multiple tasks.
6. Strong coordination skills and the ability to work effectively independently, as part of a team, and in partnership with other organizations.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and generous employer-paid benefits. The salary range for this role is GBP 87,000- 110,000.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by 21 June, 2026 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and uploading a cover letter and a resume/CV, in PDF format. Please keep your cover letter to no longer than one page in length, and please be sure to highlight your relevant qualifications.  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.