Researcher, Crisis, Conflict, and Arms

FIXED-TERM FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
RESEARCHER 
Crisis, Conflict and Arms Division
Washington Office
Application Deadline: October 28, 2025

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Researcher in the Crisis, Conflict and Arms division who will be focused on urgent human rights issues in the United States. This individual will conduct human rights research, advocacy, and media work related to issues that may include the new global “war on drugs” announced by the Trump administration, US military deployments domestically within the United States, excessive use of force by law enforcement officers during protests and immigration raids, and the implications of the administration’s dismantlement of oversight and accountability mechanisms for the US military and civilian harm mitigation efforts.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the US national security apparatus and domestic law related to the use of force and executive power, a deep network of contacts working on US national security issues, a strong understanding of international humanitarian law (the laws of war) and international human rights law, substantial knowledge of the racial history of the US and the role of it in policing and immigration enforcement, experience conducting human rights research, excellent English writing and oral skills, an ability to conduct research interviews in Spanish, and an ability and willingness to work in a challenging, fast-paced environment with colleagues and partners from diverse backgrounds.   

This work will be done in close coordination with HRW’s US Foreign Policy team and US Program and will complement longer-term priority work on racial justice, democracy, immigration, and criminal justice. This is a fixed term, full-time one-year contract and will report to the Director of the Crisis, Conflict, and Arms Division. The successful candidate may have the option to work remotely.

Responsibilities

1. Research, monitor, conduct fact-finding missions and interviews, and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from diverse sources;
2. Write and publicize reports and other written materials or supporting documents based on research findings;
3. Work in partnership with the Director to provide advice on strategy development and its implementation;
4. Advise and manage communications while maintaining strong and effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
5. Liaise effectively with HRW teams to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities that convey research findings and advocacy messages;
6. Present human rights and humanitarian law issues and concerns to key stakeholders to promote civilian protection and human rights reforms;
7. Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices and to hold those most responsible for serious abuses to account;
8. Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community; 
9. Identify and highlight key political and human rights trends and emerging issues, and analyze abuses within the broader political, social, and economic context to highlight factors contributing to abuses and avenues for effective change; 
10. Assist the Director of the Division and HRW’s Development Department with fundraising;
11. Work closely with colleague NGOs and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their work;
12. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and maintain consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the division and organization; and
13. Carry out any other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education: A graduate or law degree or equivalent work experience is required.

Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant experience in human rights research or a related field is required. 

Other: This role requires regular travel for research and other work-related missions.

Related Skills and Knowledge

1. Exercise strong interpersonal skills in order to work collegially and collaboratively within the team and across HRW, as well as with external partners.
2. Contribute to a positive, supportive, and inclusive team culture in interactions with others.
3. Demonstrate care and commitment to the wellbeing and safety of themselves and their colleagues.
4. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English is required.
5. An ability to conduct research interviews in Spanish is required.
6. Deep understanding of international human rights and humanitarian law is required.
7. Expertise in US national security systems and legal frameworks surrounding the use of force and executive power.
8. Substantial knowledge of the racial history of the US and its role in policing and immigration enforcement.
9. Proven track record of working in dynamic situations, including ability to conduct interviews with victims, witnesses, officials, and a wide range of other people, is required. 
10. Ability to efficiently distil information about crisis and conflict work so as to focus time and effort on issues of greatest importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced is required. 
11. Ability to write and edit accurate, persuasive, well-organized, analytical, and timely reports and press releases is required.
12. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required. 
13. Ability to manage issues related to stress and resilience in a challenging and fast-paced job is required.
14. Experience working with colleagues, staff, vendors, and partners from diverse backgrounds in a positive, collaborative, and inclusive team environment is required.
15. Interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, media, and other external partners are required.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers comprehensive compensation and benefits. The salary range for this position is USD 80,000 – 88,000.

How to Apply: Please apply by October 28, 2025 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a letter of interest 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, 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 is an equal opportunity employer and 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 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.