Moscow Office Director

Organization: Human Rights Watch

Website: HRW

Title: Moscow Office Director

Location: Moscow, Russia

Salary: Not Listed

Description:  
Reporting to the Europe and Central Asia division's Deputy Director, the Moscow Office Director: represents HRW in all aspects of our work in the region, develops strategies to curb human rights abuses in Russia, Belarus, and the Ukraine, monitors human rights in these countries, oversees compliance with Russian and internal administrative and financial requirements; and manages a small local staff. The director will work closely with HRW's Russia team.


The Moscow Office Director is HRW's spokesperson in the region and represents the organization before the international community, our partner organizations, and regional media. The Moscow Office Director investigates human rights developments in Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine in order to publicize and curtail human rights abuses through writing and advocacy. The Director also ensures the operational integrity of the Russia office. Responsibilities will include documenting human rights violations; writing and publicizing concise and accurate reports, briefing papers, news releases, op-eds and submissions to international bodies as needed; bringing human rights violations to the attention of governments in the region; advocating for the improvement of human rights in the region with target regional governments, the EU, the US government, the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and other multilateral bodies; working with local groups and activists including through coalition work and campaigns with local groups; expanding HRW's media presence in Russia; expanding contacts with government officials and human rights groups in the target countries, and international organizations based in the region; working with the HRW Operations team and local staff to ensure the security of our Russia office and compliance with local and internal regulations; overseeing other financial and administrative aspects of the Moscow office.

Qualifications: 
The successful candidate will be scrupulously objective, able to investigate and report on abuses without prejudice or favor, and in contexts that are highly charged politically. The individual in this position must be able to respond quickly to crises or opportunities as they occur, producing written material in English under tight deadlines. The position combines elements of research, writing, advocacy, administration and management, and requires an individual who has solid judgment and initiative, strong interpersonal skills, and excellent research and writing skills.


The ideal candidate should have an advanced degree in international relations, related regional studies, journalism, law, or another related field; several years of human rights or related experience, in Russia and, ideally, in one or more of the target countries; fluent command of Russian and excellent writing and communications skills in English; and a demonstrated commitment to international human rights. Management experience is advantageous.

The Moscow Office Director will be based in Moscow, Russia, and should be prepared to travel extensively in the region and occasionally to the United States and Europe for consultations and advocacy.


To Apply:
(no calls or email inquiries, please) Email in a single submission: a letter of interest describing your experience, your resume, names or letters of reference, salary requirements, and a brief writing sample (unedited by others) no later than March 1, 2010 to ecajobs@hrw.org.  Please use "Moscow Director Ref ECA-10-1002-A" as the subject of your email.  If emailing is not possible, send materials (please do not split a submission between email and regular post) to:


Human Rights Watch
Attn: Researcher Search (Moscow Director Ref ECA-10-1002-A)
350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor
New York, NY 10118-3299 USA
Fax: (212) 736-1300