Advocacy And Communications Director

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) seeks a senior, experienced professional to direct its media efforts and coordinate its advocacy in the Middle East and North Africa (“MENA”) region and serve as a senior member of the MENA Division. Responsibilities:  1. Serve as HRW’s key Arabic-language spokesperson, representing the organization before the media, government officials, partners and the public in the Middle East and North Africa;  2. Coordinate and provide direction for the advocacy efforts of the division by enlisting the support of government officials, international and regional institutions, other NGOs, the private sector, and the general public; work with researchers to pursue advocacy goals on key countries;  3. Manage and implement advocacy strategy on cross-regional advocacy projects; coordinate and manage MENA’s advocacy efforts with the UN Human Rights Council;  4. Develop media strategies to promote the work of HRW in the region, in consultation with the Communications Director and other relevant HRW staff; advise staff on prioritizing between multiple media platforms to maximize impact;  5. Coordinate the media efforts of MENA Division staff based in the US, Europe, and the MENA region by organizing outreach to journalists and media outlets, and managing news conferences;  6. Develop, coordinate and oversee our multimedia strategy, including video products and social media outreach, to further enhance HRW’s impact;  7. Oversee the translation process and the Arabic language website; supervise the staff of the Arabic website and translation team;  8. Respond to and anticipate news events in order to press human rights priorities by writing op-eds and letters, ensuring that our messages are present in the public debate;  9. Participate in internal strategic deliberations;  10. Coordinate with key colleagues within HRW and externally with allied organizations and NGOs; and  11. Perform other tasks as required. Experience:  A minimum of seven years of professional experience in advocacy, media work, and policy development in the MENA region or in connection with MENA issues, with a proven record of success using these tools to affect policy, is required. Related Skills and Knowledge:  1. A demonstrated commitment to human rights, extensive engagement in regional policy issues and the capacity to master and represent the mission and programs of HRW is required. 2. Excellent presentation skills and a dynamic public-speaking ability are required. 3. Extensive experience and familiarity working with the Middle East media is required. 4. A strong network of relationships with public officials and journalists in the MENA region is required. 5. Ability to defend and explain complex issues and positions is required. 6. Demonstrated ability to think strategically and advocate effectively is required. 7. Track record of cultivating relationships with journalists is required. 8. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic are required. 9. Strong interpersonal skills – in order to work collaboratively within HRW as well as with local partners, government officials, and external media partners – are required. 10. Capacity to appropriately plan, prioritize and manage multiple, sometimes competing demands efficiently in a challenging, fast-paced environment is required. Other:  Frequent and extensive travel in the MENA region and to Europe and North America, often times on very short notice, is a required component of this job. 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. 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.