Job opportunity for Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking highly-qualified applicants for the position of Nigeria Researcher.

Description: The Researcher will be based in one of the HRW offices in Brussels, London, New York or Washington, DC, and frequent travel to Nigeria will be required. Working with the Team Leader for West Africa, the Researcher will monitor and investigate human rights developments in Nigeria in order to publicize and curtail human rights abuses through writing and advocacy. Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, conducting fact-finding trips throughout the country; writing reports, newsletters, articles and press releases, as well as submissions to international bodies on human rights concerns in Nigeria; developing local and international advocacy strategies for improving respect for human rights in Nigeria within governmental bodies in Nigeria, the region and the international community, as well as intergovernmental organizations and international institutions; responding promptly to queries from the international press, the public and colleagues in the human rights community; and working closely with Nigerian human rights organizations to ensure that the work of HRW in Nigeria complements and enhances their own work. The Researcher will engage in joint research and report writing with researchers from local groups, identify Nigerian activists to travel out of the country to engage in advocacy at an international level and develop HRW's research and advocacy strategies in consultation with local groups.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have several years of human rights experience, ideally in Africa and Nigeria in particular; research, field, and advocacy experience; excellent writing and communications skills in English; and a demonstrated commitment to international human rights. S/he will be highly motivated, well organized, and able to work quickly and well under pressure, both independently and as a member of a team. An advanced degree in law, international relations, regional studies, journalism, public policy or a related field is desired, as is familiarity with international human rights law.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and generous 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 by emailing in a single submission: a letter of interest describing your experience, your resume, names or letters of reference, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others) no later than March 25, 2008 to [email protected]. Please use “Nigeria Researcher Application” as the subject of your email. Only complete applications will be reviewed. It is preferred that all materials be submitted via email. 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 (Nigeria Researcher)
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118-3299
Fax: (212) 736-1300