Senior Legal Adviser

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Senior Legal Adviser
Legal and Policy
Multiple Office Locations Considered
Application Deadline: 11 May, 2026

The Senior Legal Advisor is one of a small group of international lawyers who comprise Human Rights Watch’s (“HRW”) Legal and Policy Department. The department ensures that all HRW publications and advocacy interventions are consistent with international human rights and humanitarian law and HRW policies. The Senior Legal Advisor works with division directors, researchers and advocates at all levels, and often on an urgent basis. The post is a key position within HRW, with direct responsibility for ensuring the reputation and high quality of HRW’s work.

This full-time position will be based in one of HRW’s offices preferably outside of the US: Amsterdam, Amman, Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Johannesburg, London, Miami, Nairobi, New York, Stockholm, Washington DC, Tokyo, and will report to the Director of Legal & Policy, based in New York. The successful candidate will need to work from the office on a needed basis.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide advice on international human rights law and HRW policy for HRW’s regional and thematic divisions. The geographical focus of the position will depend on the candidate’s expertise and experience, geographic location, and existing Legal & Policy staff assignments.
2. Review and provide substantive input on reports, news releases, dispatches, commentary, letters, videos and other interventions.
3. Help to develop and implement the international legal dimension of HRW’s research and advocacy strategies.
4. Assist in the HRW’s strategic litigation work.
5. Represent HRW at expert meetings and conferences on international legal issues.
6. Develop and apply the organization’s policies.
7. Carry out other tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

Education: A degree in law is required.

Experience: A minimum of ten (10) years in positions utilizing international human rights law, including its practical application. Knowledge of fields such as human rights and technology and human rights and the environment are an asset. Knowledge of international humanitarian law, civil law legal systems, refugee and migrant law, and litigation experience are also an asset.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. A strong personal commitment to the promotion of international human rights.
2. Demonstrated ability to think analytically, strategically and effectively.
3. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Proficiency in other languages is a plus.
4. Capacity to appropriately plan and prioritize and to manage multiple, sometimes competing demands efficiently in a challenging, fast-paced environment are required.
5. Ability to defend and explain complex issues and positions to staff and to advocate positions externally.
6. Strong interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within HRW and outside the organization.

Salary and Benefits: Human Rights Watch offers competitive salaries and comprehensive employer-paid benefits. HRW offers a relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. If based in the United States, the salary range would be USD 165,000 and USD 180,000. Salary ranges outside of the United States vary based on location and are not a direct translation from USD.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by 11 May, 2026, by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a cover letter and a resume or CV. No calls or email inquiries, please. Applications must be complete to receive consideration, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require accommodations during the application process, 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 research 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 governments and international institutions.