Job Description
SENIOR RESEARCHER, TANZANIA AND UGANDA
Africa Division
Nairobi Office
Application Deadline: February 22, 2024
The Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking applicants for the position of Senior Researcher on Tanzania and Uganda. 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 Tanzania and Uganda. The position reports to the Deputy Director in the Africa Division and will be based in Nairobi.
Responsibilities:
1. Develop and implement a research and advocacy agenda that focuses on improving respect for human rights specifically in Tanzania and Uganda, including through interviews with victims and witnesses and the analysis of physical evidence or photographs and videos, as well as monitoring reports from and speaking with, government officials, local media, experts, national human rights institutions, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces, and others;
2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the research findings; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;
3. Collaborate with colleagues from the multimedia team to produce videos and other visual materials that convey research findings and advocacy messages;
4. Develop recommendations for rights improvements in the region; devise and implement local, regional, and international advocacy strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
5. Respond promptly to queries from the media, the public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate;
6. Place abuses within the broader political, social, economic and historical contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
7. Work collaboratively with international and national and grassroots civil society organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work and actively explore partnership opportunities;
8. Assist the Africa Division and HRW’s Development and Outreach Department in conducting fundraising;
9. Establish clear work plans for consultants, research assistants, associates or interns on a project led by the senior researcher and ensure that their workload is manageable, that priorities are clearly and effectively communicated, and that they are given proper guidance, training and support on issues of security and resilience;
10. Contribute to internal HRW policy debates on issues relevant to your expertise and areas of focus;
11 Liaise and collaborate effectively with HRW staff located around the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
12. Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;
13. Travel domestically and overseas, as required, to conduct fact-finding investigations;
14. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Africa division and wider Program Department; and
15. Carry out any other duties as required.
Qualifications:
Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or related studies is required.
Experience: A minimum of seven years of experience in human rights, journalism, law, or related fields in Tanzania and/or Uganda, including time spent working in East Africa, is required.
Related Skills and Knowledge:
1. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili are required; ability to speak in other languages commonly spoken in Tanzania or Uganda, including for media interviews, is highly desirable.
2. Significant knowledge of human rights and politics in Tanzania or Uganda and a willingness to invest time into developing expertise in the other country are required.
3. Develop and implement a research and advocacy agenda that focuses on improving respect for human rights in various Southern African countries, with a special focus on Tanzania and Uganda, including through interviews with victims and witnesses and the analysis of physical evidence or photographs and videos, as well as monitoring reports from and speaking with, government officials, local media, experts, national human rights institutions, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces, and others;
4. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the research findings; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;
5. Collaborate with colleagues from the multimedia team to produce videos and other visual materials that convey research findings and advocacy messages;
6. Develop recommendations for rights improvements in the region; devise and implement local, regional, and international advocacy strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
7. Respond promptly to queries from the media, the public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate;
8. Place abuses within the broader political, social, economic and historical contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
9. Work collaboratively with international and national and grassroots civil society organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their own work and actively explore partnership opportunities;
10. Assist the Africa Division and HRW’s Development and Outreach Department in conducting fundraising;
11. Establish clear work plans for consultants, research assistants, associates or interns on a project led by the senior researcher and ensure that their workload is manageable, that priorities are clearly and effectively communicated, and that they are given proper guidance, training and support on issues of security and resilience;
12. Contribute to internal HRW policy debates on issues relevant to your expertise and areas of focus;
13. Liaise and collaborate effectively with HRW staff located around the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities, including advocacy for research done;
14. Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;
15. Travel domestically and overseas, as required, to conduct fact-finding investigations;
16. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Africa Division and wider Program Department; and
17. Carry out any other duties as required.
Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.