Associate, Arms at Human Rights Watch in New York, NY

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
ASSOCIATE, ARMS
Crisis, Conflict and Arms Division
Multiple Locations Considered
Application Deadline: June 1^st, 2026

The Crisis, Conflict and Arms Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking an Associate to provide administrative assistance and support to its Arms Program. The Arms Program documents the negative impacts of the use of weapons and promotes the establishment and implementation of international treaties and legal norms. It currently focuses on autonomous weapons systems and other uses of Artificial Intelligence in the military domain, cluster munitions, incendiary weapons, landmines, and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

This full-time position reports to the Division’s Deputy Director (based in London) and will be based within commuting distance of one of the following HRW offices: New York, Washington DC, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Stockholm, or Berlin.  The successful candidate will be encouraged to work from the office 2-3 days per week.

Responsibilities:

1. Provide administrative support to staff based in multiple locations including scheduling, making travel arrangements, taking minutes at meetings, creating and maintaining filing and archiving systems, maintaining web pages, sending a monthly newsletter, processing incoming mail and email, updating contact databases, and responding to requests for information; 
2. Assist with preparing, drafting, editing, proofing, formatting, coding for the website, arranging translations, and distributing materials such as news releases, reports, briefing papers, fact sheets, op-eds, letters, infographics, social media posts, maps, and other publications;
3. Conduct background research and monitor current events including tracking media coverage and utilizing open-source research techniques;
4. Liaise with HRW staff and shepherd publications through the internal review process. Develop and maintain strong communications among HRW staff, including other associates and support staff. Help facilitate timely and meaningful coordination across HRW offices, departments, and divisions;
5. Assist with providing advocacy support, including to global coalitions such as the Stop Killer Robots campaign, the Cluster Munition Coalition, the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, and the International Network on Explosive Weapons, as well as partners such as the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School;
6. Participate in external calls and in-person meetings, taking notes, developing advocacy materials and messaging, and carrying out joint activities with coalition partners;
7. Serve as a member of the editorial team for the annual Landmine Monitor and Cluster Munition Monitor reports, including updating and editing country profiles, drafting and sending letters to governments, preparing overviews and factsheets, assisting with report production, and contributing to launch events;
8. Assist with planning and executing virtual and in-person events, conferences and meetings with staff and partner NGOs;
9. Assist with the recruitment and mentoring of interns and with recruiting division staff; and
10. Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications:

We are eager to hear from all candidates who can perform the essential functions of this role even if they do not meet all our desired qualifications – particularly if they are from backgrounds underrepresented in the NGO sector.

Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in international relations, human rights, or a related field is required.

Experience: A minimum of one year of relevant work experience is required. Experience in an international and/or nonprofit environment is preferred.

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Prior office/administration experience and strong organizational skills are required.
2. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Proficiency in another language such as Arabic, Russian, French, Spanish or Chinese is highly preferred.
3. Demonstrated interest in human rights is required.
4. Strong interpersonal skills, timeliness, and ability to work well under pressure while managing multiple priorities are required.
5. Good problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions are required.
6. Self-motivation and the ability to work independently with minimal supervision are required.
7. Proficiency in computer packages, including MS Office applications, is required.
8. Previous experience with or knowledge of the Stop Killer Robots campaign, International Campaign to Ban Landmines, Cluster Munition Coalition, International Network on Explosive Weapons, or other humanitarian disarmament work is desired but not required.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess valid work authorization for the location in which they will be based. HRW is unable to sponsor work visas for this role.

Salary and Benefits: Rights Watch offers competitive salaries and comprehensive employer-paid benefits. If based in the United States, the salary range for this position will be USD 60,001 – 64,328.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by June 1^st, 2026 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a cover letter and resume, preferably as PDF files. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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.