Editorial Officer, Americas

Position description

As the human rights situation continues to deteriorate in the Americas, Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an Editorial Officer to provide administrative assistance and writing and editing support in English to the Americas Division.

 

The Americas Division covers pressing rights issues in more than 14 countries where they promote accountable governments that respect basic rights and the rule of law; and contribute to addressing both the structural root causes that fuel human rights violations and their long-term consequences. Our team of 14 experts, based across the region, work in partnership with local organizations to meticulously document human rights abuses and advocate for concrete policy changes to end them.

 

The Editorial Officer will report to the Deputy Director and will aim to ensure the highest standards of research within the Americas team. The successful candidate may have the option to work remotely. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment and onboarding of this position.

 

Responsibilities:

 

1. Edit, revise, recast, format, distribute, translate and fact check materials such as releases, reports, tables, charts, briefing papers, op eds, publications, and web content;

2. Draft shorter documents such as op-eds, news releases, media advisories, and quotes for journalists based on research conducted by the Americas Division staff; 

3. Provide constructive feedback to Americas Division staff to improve their proficiency in English; 

4. Contribute to the drafting of grant proposals;

5. Provide day-to-day administrative support to the Deputy Director of the Americas Division and Division staff, including scheduling, making travel arrangements, processing divisional finances, preparing for meetings, and creating and maintaining extensive filing and archiving systems;  

6. Draft documents and correspondence and respond to requests for information in English;

7. Maintain communication among HRW’s offices, global staff, and external partners;

8. Assist with events such as news conferences, staff meetings, and special events;

9. Assist with recruitment, coordination, and mentoring of interns; and

10. Carry out other duties as required.

 

Qualifications:

 

Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required. 

 

Experience: A minimum of three years of relevant editorial experience is required.

 

Required Skills and Knowledge:

 

1. Excellent writing and editing skills in English, including ability to uphold standards in line with HRW fact-checking guidelines, are required. 

2. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex, difficult, and/or disturbing subject matter in a pithy, effective, relatable, and respectful manner is required. 

3. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously are required.

4. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.

5. Ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as well as function as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations globally is required.

6. Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications is required.

7. Strong interest in international human rights is preferred. 

8. Fluency in Spanish is required, fluency in Portuguese is an advantage. 

 

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. Citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. If based in the Unites States, the salary range for this position is USD 65,000 – 68,000. Salary ranges outside of the United States vary by location. 

 

Application instructions

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