FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
COORDINATOR
Africa Division
New York or Washington D.C. office
Application Deadline: July 10, 2026
The Africa Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Coordinator to provide administrative, project management, and programmatic support to staff working on human rights issues in Africa. The Coordinator will work with divisional staff based in multiple locations and will facilitate the production of research and advocacy products. The Africa Division works to advance human rights in Africa and conducts a wide range of work, including investigation, report writing, advocacy, and media work.
This is a full-time position based in either our New York or Washington D.C. office and will report to the Deputy Director of the Africa Division, based in Washington D.C. The successful candidate must be based within commuting distance of either the New York or Washington D.C. office and will be expected to work from the office 2-3 days per week or on an as needed basis.
Responsibilities:
1. Provide day-to-day administrative support to staff in the Africa Division, such as tracking project timelines and deadlines, scheduling meetings, preparing for and taking minutes at meetings, creating and maintaining extensive filing and archiving systems;
2. Organize complex travel and logistics for regional team meetings, record, track, and process divisional expenses, and responding to requests for information;
3. Prepare, proofread, edit, format, and coordinate materials such as news releases, reports, briefing papers, op-eds, multimedia materials, social media kits, other publications and web content;
4. Provide French translation for materials such as dispatches, pressers, and graphics; coordinate vetting of larger documents such as reports; provide general French language support;
5. Shepherd Africa Division publications through the internal review process;
6. Provide support with media roundups and desk research, as needed;
7. Provide support drafting documents, including but not limited to letters to officials, United Nations submissions, or World Report chapters and press releases;
8. Support the Africa Advisory Committee and other divisional external engagements by planning meetings and events and drafting briefing documents;
9. Coordinate events such as news conferences, staff meetings, retreats, and special events;
10. Schedule official meetings, maintain relationships and communication with partners, and build and maintain contact databases;
11. Act as a liaison and maintain communications with HRW offices, global staff, and external partners;
12. Assist with the recruitment and mentoring of interns; and
13. Perform other tasks, as may be required.
Qualifications:
Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in human rights, international relations, social science, or a related field is required.
Experience : A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience is required.
Related Skills and Knowledge:
1. Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills are required.
2. Experience working for an international human rights organization in a support function is highly desirable.
3. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French are required. Experience with translating from English to French is desirable.
4. Demonstrable knowledge in African regional and international human rights is required. Africa-related experience is desirable.
5. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously is required.
6. Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.
7. 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.
8. Proficiency in computer programs including MS Office applications is required.
9. Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyze data are required.
Other: Candidates must possess valid work authorization for the United States; HRW is unable to sponsor work authorization for this role.
Salary and Benefits : The salary range for this position is USD 64,843- 69,170. Human Rights Watch offers comprehensive employer-paid benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, a retirement savings plan and twenty (20) days of vacation per year.
How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by July 10, 2026 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a letter of interest and resume or CV, preferably as PDF files. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require a disability-related accommodation, please email [email protected] . 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 based anywhere 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.