Kenneth Roth Fellowship Offers $88,000 for Human Rights Practitioners

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Applications are open for the Kenneth Roth Practitioner-In-Residence Program 2025. With an established research, advocacy, and communications platform to draw from, they are launching a mid-career opportunity open to human rights practitioners from around the world. The aim is to support an emerging leader in the human rights movement and work together to advance ambitious human rights change.

The Practitioner-in-Residence will have the option to be placed in either the Program (research and investigations) or Advocacy departments. The Practitioner-in-Residence will work closely on a project around a priority area of work depending on the experience that the practitioner brings. The residency is intended to be a full-time arrangement for one year, starting mid-February 2026. The Chief Programs Officer will oversee the Practitioner-in-Residence with additional management dependent on the placement of the successful candidate.

Responsibilities

• Research, monitor and document human rights abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, local media, NGOs, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others in the field;
• Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
• Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies based on the findings;
• Collect and analyze supporting documents and materials such as photographs, videos, police reports, medical reports, legal/court documents, among others;
• Collaborate with HRW´s media team in the production of audiovisual products;
• Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debate;
• Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, partner organizations, inter-governmental agencies, donors and the media;
• Present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
• Work closely with colleagues, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other partners to ensure that the agreed-upon project/approach to human rights change complements and enhances their own work;
• Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
• Travel domestically and overseas, as required, to conduct and lead fact-finding missions or advocacy initiatives;
• Deliver outputs in a timely manner and maintain consistency with the agreed strategy and priorities; and
• Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers comprehensive compensation and benefits. If based in the United States, the salary range for this position will be $80,000 – $88,000 USD. Salary ranges outside of the United States vary based on location.

Eligibility

• Applicant should have a level of education that when combined with your professional experience as an emerging or established human rights leader will adequately show you have the capability, in this role, to work with HRW and contribute meaningfully to the human rights change identified.
• A minimum of five years of human rights research or advocacy experience and a track record of delivering human rights impact are required. The successful candidate should ideally be a recognized or emerging expert in their country or thematic area who is consulted by policymakers, journalists, academics, activists, and others.
• Citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.

Related Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to identify and advise on strategies to conduct research or advocacy is required.
• Ability and sensitivity to effectively communicate with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses is required.
• Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in the area of specialty is required.
• Ability to efficiently distil information about the country or thematic issue so as to focus time and effort on issues of greatest importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced is required.
• Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is required.
• Proficiency in another language in addition to English is strongly desired, as is familiarity with countries or regions where serious human rights violations occur.
• Self-motivation, ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure are required.
• Strong initiative and follow-through, the capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent writing and editing skills, and a dynamic public speaking ability is desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within and outside of HRW are required.
• Demonstrated awareness of and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations are required.
• Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions is required.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically about the global and local media environments and how to use the media and electronic media to further advocacy goals is required.
• Ability to multi-task effectively required, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure is desirable.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.