Job Opportunities in Africa

The Women’s Rights Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking highly-qualified applicants for the position of Researcher on Women and Land. This position will be responsible for developing and implementing a research and advocacy agenda focusing on the impacts of large-scale international land acquisitions on women’s human rights in Africa and Asia. This position reports to the Deputy Director of the Women’s Rights Division. The position will ideally be based in Africa or Asia.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop and implement a research and advocacy agenda on how women’s human rights are impacted by large-scale international land deals, i.e., acquisitions of land and related resources (including water) by foreign investors in developing countries for commercial purposes (such as plantation agriculture and extractive industries);
2. Carry out in-depth research into the impacts of large-scale land deals on women’s human rights in Africa and Asia; collect and analyze information from a wide variety of sources, including governments, journalists, NGOs, members of impacted communities, survivors, witnesses, corporate representatives, financial institution representatives, diplomats, security forces and others;
3. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to governments, international bodies, the media, and others based on the findings;
4. Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate;
5. Develop and implement local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
6. Keep abreast of policy developments relevant to international land deals and advise colleagues on emerging advocacy opportunities;
7. Work closely with other organizations and experts to ensure that HRW’s work complements and enhances their work; collaborate with other organizations on research, media work, and advocacy;
8. Liaise effectively with HRW staff in multiple locations to ensure effective coordination and collaboration; support other HRW staff to include a gender analysis in their work on land, natural resources and human rights;
9. Assist the Director of the Division and HRW’s Development and Global Initiative Department in conducting fundraising;
10. Be prepared to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events; 
11. Travel within Africa and Asia on a regular basis and for substantial periods (at times for more than a month) to carry out research and advocacy; travel to other regions for advocacy;
12. Deliver outputs in a timely manner; and
13. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications:

Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, social science, development, agriculture, environmental studies, natural resources management, or related fields is required.

Experience: A minimum of 3 years of professional level experience working in governmental, nongovernmental, or intergovernmental organizations on research, policy and advocacy related to land, natural resources, and human rights (including women’s rights) is essential.  Extensive work experience in Africa and/or Asia is required.  

Required Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate human rights issues related to land deals and women’s human rights is required.
2. Extensive experience with conducting interviews with a wide range of people, including survivors, witnesses, corporate representatives, and government officials, is required.
3. Ability to work flexible hours and make frequent trips for extended periods is required.  
4. Ability to produce concise, accurate, high-quality written materials under tight deadlines is required.
5. Ability to develop and implement effective advocacy strategies, including strategies targeting multi-national corporations and international financial institutions, is required.
6. Knowledge of international human rights law and voluntary guidelines relevant to international land deals is required.
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and at least one widely spoken language of Africa or Asia are required; excellent public speaking skills are required.
8. Ability to communicate effectively with the media is required; ability to use social media to further advocacy and outreach goals is desirable.
9. Ability to multi-task effectively and work under time pressure is required.
10. Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW and with external partners are required.

Duration:  Fixed-term contract for a three-year period.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and 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.

Contact: Please apply immediately by emailing a letter of interest describing your experience, curriculum vitae, contact details for three references, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others)to wrd@hrw.org. Please use “Land Researcher Ref: WRD-15-1037” as the subject of your email.

Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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• Based on desk reviews and expert consultations, develop a set of environmental, social and economic indicators to capture the contribution of PPP initiatives to: (i) environmental sustainability; (ii) equitable access to land, (iii) enhanced local food security; (iv) inclusive youth and gender employment creation; (v) social cohesion and conflict resolution; (vi) innovation and technological advancement;
• Analyse the socio-political and economic contexts and the level of fragility of SSA countries in order to identify macroeconomic indicators that influence PPP models in agriculture and their impacts on Inclusive Sustainable Growth and Food Security;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Project Coordinator.

• Minimum of three years relevant experience in Agricultural development, Private sector development, Public-Private Partnership development, Environmental  and social impact assessments;
• Practical experience in environmental sustainability, food security issues, youth and gender employment creation, and private-public partnership is an asset.