Information Designer

FIXED-TERM FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Information Designer
Multimedia Division
Multiple Locations Considered
Application Deadline: April 8, 2026
 
The Communications Department at Human Rights Watch shapes the organization's public voice and influence, ensuring our research and advocacy inform global debates, reach key decision-makers, and drive accountability for human rights abuses wherever they occur. The Multimedia Divison of the Communications  Department is seeking an Information Designer to lead it’s data visualizations work and to design infographics, maps, and chart for major investigations and reports. 

This role reports to a member of the  Multimedia Division leadership team and will be based in New York, Washington DC, Toronto, Sao Paolo, London, Berlin, Johannesburg, or Amsterdam, and will be expected to work from the office 3 days per week.

Responsibilities:

1. Conceptualize and design standalone data visualization for reports and visually driven feature stories for web, email and social media audiences as well as printed materials;  
2. Partner with staff and partners to enhance presentation of research findings; 
3. Collaborate internally as a member of the Multimedia team on the design of data-driven investigations and reporting;
4. Conduct basic qualitative and quantitative research to inform our content;  
5. Analyze and present data in a clear and compelling visual format;
6. Create detailed design specifications and organize files for easy handoff and/or collaboration with our Web team;
7. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Media Department;
8. Monitor new graphic trends, emerging practices and design production tools. Make recommendations for new content opportunities for adoption by HRW;
9. Exercise strong visual and journalistic judgement to ensure quality of output meets HRW visual, ethical, and legal standards; and
10. Perform other tasks as required. 

Qualifications:

Education: A bachelor’s level degree, or equivalent working experience, preferably in graphic design, journalism, or a related field is required.  

Experience: A minimum of five years of professional experience producing and designing visual content, preferably in a news or editorial environment, is required. 

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Demonstrated expertise in fundamentals of graphic design, including typography, layout, color, and user-centered design is required.
2. Ability to consider audiences and optimize user experience to design engaging visual content is required.
3. Experience transforming data into compelling stories through static and interactive visualizations, dashboards, and infographics is required.
4. Experience creating engaging layouts using tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Illustrator, InDesign, or Photoshop, grounded in UX/UI design principles is required.
5. Familiarity with front-end web development principles, including responsive mobile-friendly design, page speed, and HTML are required. An understanding of WCAG accessibility guidelines and experience with Content Management Systems such as Drupal is a plus.
6. Ability to identify and track both graphic design trends and innovative techniques is preferred.
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required; proficiency in other languages is desirable. 
8. Possess excellent project management skills, flexibility, and the ability to manage multiple projects through proactive communication Self-motivation and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment are required. 

Other: Must possess valid work authorization for the country of application.

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 if based in the US is US$ 80,000 – 88,000. Salary ranges in other locations vary according to the local market. 

How to Apply: Please apply by April 8, 2026 by visiting our online job portal at http://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.