Deputy Program Director

Compelling fact-finding that influences policy is at the heart of Human Rights Watch’s (HRW’s) capacity for impact. We are looking for a strategic leader and manager for the role of Deputy Program Director in the Program Office, HRW’s research office that oversees 240 research staff in 15 thematic and regional divisions around the world.

The Deputy Program Director should be an effective leader and people manager, and a strategic thinker with deep knowledge of human rights issues, research methodologies and advocacy in the field of international human rights. The successful candidate will have experience in implementing writing, research and ethical standards in accordance with best practices in the human rights field, fostering the engagement and effectiveness of staff, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion; fostering staff resilience and well-being, and participating in designing and implementing strategy.

The Deputy Program Director will oversee four of HRW’s research divisions (regional and thematic), facilitate programmatic implementation of HRW’s global strategy, participate in developing strategies at the project and divisional levels, and undertake additional responsibilities within the Program office as outlined below. The Deputy Program Director will work with the Program Office, comprised of a Global Program Director, three additional Deputies, an Associate Director for research training and standards, two Senior Editors, Senior Officer and Coordinator. The Deputy Program Director will report to the Global Program Director, and will preferably be based in any of the following locations where HRW has an office: New York, Washington, Toronto, Sao Paulo, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Beirut, or Amman.

Responsibilities:

Experience with and commitment to rigor
- Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights, including interviewing, fact-finding and advocacy and familiarity with international human rights law and international humanitarian law is required.
- A demonstrated track record of working effectively in collaboration with colleagues is required.
- A strong commitment to human rights research and strategic work that has impact is required.
- Excellent writing, editing, and fact-checking skills, mastery of best practices in research and publication standards and fluent English is required.

Track record of success in leading teams
- A high degree of emotional intelligence and collegiality is required.
- Experience effectively managing senior managers is required.
- Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals with diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, skillsets, and orientations is preferred.
- Experience with and commitment to being a collaborative team player who can empathetically engage with staff across levels and jurisdictions is required.

Experience with delivering results
- Track record of identifiable and measurable successes in specifically and tangibly contributing to complex projects and ensuring high-quality deliverables is required.
- Experience in contributing to a work culture and practice that are inclusive and that attract and retain staff from diverse backgrounds is required.
- Experience cultivating and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration is desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to set priorities, delegate responsibilities, and allocate resources is required.
- Demonstrated ability to apply culturally competent behaviors, attitudes, and practices to enable effective policies and structures is required.

Other
- Experience working on the United States or Latin America is desired.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW will pay reasonable relocation expenses and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization (where possible), if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. If based in the United States, the salary range for this role is USD 190,000 – 228,000. Salary ranges outside of the United States vary by location.

How To Apply: Please apply immediately or by October 11 2026 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a cover letter and CV or resume, preferably as PDF files. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Note that there is a written question (max 300 words) that you will have to answer prior to submitting your application.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require a disability-related accommodation, please email 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.