Human Rights Watch: Director - South Africa

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is one of the world’s leading independent organisations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, HRW gives voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes.

HRW seeks to appoint a Director for South Africa, based in Johannesburg, to coordinate its efforts.

S/he will report to the Executive Director of the Africa Division.

This is a two-year fixed-term contract position renewable depending on the availability of funding.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the principal spokesperson for Human Rights Watch in South Africa;
• Act as HRW’s main point of contact for the media, government, civil society and public in South Africa;
• Promote HRW’s priority concerns to the above actors with a particular emphasis on Africa;
• Support HRW’s fundraising and outreach work in South Africa;
• Perform a general representational role as the senior staff member in HRW’s Johannesburg office;
• Coordinate research in selected areas, in collaboration with the Executive Director of the Africa Division;
• Supervise Africa Division staff members in the Johannesburg office;
• Liaise effectively with HRW staff in Africa, headquarters and other locations to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
• Travel within South Africa, the Southern Africa region and to other HRW offices in North America and Europe; and
• Carry out any other duties as required.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree in international relations, journalism, law, history, economics and/or a similar discipline in the social sciences;
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience;
• Senior-level policy, media, advocacy and management experience;
• Experience in human rights work;
• Working knowledge of the South African media and the South African government's decision-making processes;
• Knowledge related to Southern African and African decision-making processes is valuable;
• Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights in the South African context;
• Experience living or working in Southern Africa;
• Oral and written communication skills in English and proficiency in another language;
• Commitment to human rights, strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically;
• Writing and editing skills;
• Be a dynamic public speaker;
• Leadership skills and a depth and breadth of management and organisational skills;
• Interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with government officials and external media partners;
• Ability work quickly and effectively under pressure with a broad range of people and as part of a team;
• Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions;
• Have a South African work authorisation.   

Salary: A competitive salary, benefits and reasonable relocation expenses (if required) will be offered.

To apply,  submit a CV, salary expectations, brief writing sample (unedited by others) and motivation letter, indicating ‘South Africa Director Ref AFR-11-1050-B’, to africajobs@hrw.org. 

Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal.

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

Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool. South African nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more about Human Rights Watch, refer to www.hrw.org.

For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.

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