The Digital Investigations Lab within the Tech and Human Rights Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an Open Source Researcher and Capacity Building Manager to conduct open source research, give trainings and lead various pre-existing capacity building initiatives across the organization. The Digital Investigations Lab conducts rigorous human rights investigations working in partnership with Human Rights Watch’s thematic and regional researchers.

The Open Source Researcher and Capacity Building Manager will split their time between two primary functions: 1) working with the Digital Investigations Lab team to use publicly available information to document and expose human rights abuses, drafting these findings and working with others across the organization to visualize the analysis in clear and compelling ways; 2) Working together with the Managing Director to implement various pre-existing capacity building initiatives across the organization including an internal fellowship program, training and best practice process development.

This is a one-year fixed term, full-time position for parental leave coverage. This position will report to the Managing Director of the Digital Investigations Lab and will collaborate with the other team members: an open source researcher, two geospatial analysts, a data analyst and a spatial researcher. This position would preferably be based in one of HRW’s European offices (Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, or London), but may also be based in any location that HRW has an office.

Due to Covid-19, many of our global offices are operating in reduced capacities. The successful candidate may be required to work remotely if local mandates necessitate. We recognize that this moment, during the pandemic, continues to be a uniquely difficult time for most people, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, and we aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Conduct rigorous, secure, ethical and trauma-informed human rights investigations using open source data and methodologies in line with current best practices at Human Rights Watch. These investigations involve both reactive as well as longer term research projects in collaboration with other members of the Digital Investigation Lab and thematic and regional researchers across HRW;
• Collaborate with colleagues who conduct investigations with non-traditional human rights techniques, such as remote sensing and data analysis;   
• Collaborate with researchers to develop research and investigation plans and explore strategies to incorporate open source data and research methodologies into investigations;
• Liaise effectively with Digital Investigation Lab staff members located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;   
• Follow best practices as set out by the Digital Investigations Lab on storing data, discovery, verification and analysis of data, ensuring consistency across how open source research is carried out across the organisation;
• Deliver outputs in a timely manner and maintaining consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities of the division;  
• Write up findings and analysis in a concise and accurate manner, in accordance with guidance provided by Human Rights Watch;   
• Work with the Communications Division to present the findings of open source investigation findings in new, clear and compelling ways;  
• Proactively provide trainings to select Divisions or all research staff, write tutorials and update processes related on open source methodology to staff to build internal capacity within Human Rights Watch;
• Coordinate and oversee fellows and consultants, as needed;
• Work closely with the Managing Director of the Digital Investigations Lab on pre-existing capacity building initiatives such as an internal fellowship program and overseeing tool development projects and standard setting; and
• Perform other tasks, as may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Candidate Profile

Candidates who are traditionally underrepresented in the technology and/or human rights sectors (such as people who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, migrants, people with disabilities, or people who have other related lived experiences) are enthusiastically encouraged to apply if they feel they have the ability to succeed in this role, even if they do not have all of the skills and qualifications listed below.

• Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent working experience in a relevant field is required.  
• Experience: A minimum of three to five (3-5) years of experience working in a similar role is required.  

Related Skills and Knowledge 

• Demonstrable experience in and knowledge of the methodologies of conducting rigorous, safe, ethical, and trauma-informed open source human rights investigations.   
• Professional experience in the discovery, verification, analysis and preservation of audiovisual digital content is essential.  A knowledge of other open source research techniques would be welcomed. Interest, curiosity and passion to learn new tools and techniques is required.    
• Experience designing and incorporating open source research methodologies into traditional research projects is desirable.   
• Experience working collaboratively with researchers working on geospatial and data analysis is required.   
• A track record of managing projects, setting and delivering outputs, managing external consultants and tracking progress is required.
• Demonstrable experience of working with people from many diverse backgrounds who speak a variety of languages as their first language and are based across multiple time zones. 
• Previous experience working with distressing visual, audio and written content and deploying strategies, both at an individual and organizational level, to reduce the negative impact is required.    
• A track record of working in a manner that maintains a focus on well-being.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with external partners are a priority.   
• Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.  
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required, additional language skills are highly valued. Visual communication and design skills are highly desirable.   
• Ability to clearly communicate research methodologies and findings is required.   
• Strong initiative, self-drive and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing and editing skills, are required.  
• Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.  
• Experience working for an international human rights organization is highly desirable. 

Other: Candidates must possess valid work authorization for the location in which they will be based; we are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or relocation for this role.  

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.  

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by September 15, 2022, by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attach a cover letter and resume/CV. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

If you have difficulty completing your application submission, or if you require a disability-related accommodation to submit your application, please reach out to 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.