Responsibilities

• Develop messaging and talking points on US program priority issues including racial justice, democracy, criminal legal system, and immigration.
• Pitch HRW experts and products to national and local media, focusing on broadcast, digital, and social media.
• Execute a regional media strategy to support advocacy at federal, state, and local levels.
• Maintain the US media contacts database and track sentiment and trends.
• Develop strategies to tell human rights stories across formats beyond hard news, including mornings, talk shows, podcasts, and social channels.
• Identify potential media partners to leverage content.
• Draft and edit op-eds, press releases, quotes, and tweets for US Program staff.
• Represent HRW in civil society coalitions as needed.
• Provide media analytics on the performance of research products.
• Perform other tasks as required.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, in journalism, communications, international relations, or related field; advanced degree desirable.
• Experience: ≥5 years in journalism or communications with knowledge of the US media landscape.
• Strong oral and written English communication skills.
• Proven track record pitching human rights content to media outlets.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and work in a fast-paced environment, independently and on a team.
• Flexible in responding quickly to events and producing high-quality material under deadlines.
• Strong multi-tasking, planning, and organizing skills under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills for collaboration within HRW and with external partners.

Preferred

• Experience with a wire service, newspaper, or online journalism site is desirable.
• A broad knowledge of human rights and international affairs is desirable.
• Candidates traditionally underrepresented in the human rights sector are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and employer-paid medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.