JOB TITLE: RESEARCHER – Gulf Region
Application Deadline
March 11, 2021
Description
Democracy for the Arab World Now ("DAWN") is seeking a highly qualified applicant for the position of Gulf Region Researcher who will focus on investigating, analyzing, and advocating against abuses in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with a focus on political prisoners and the officials involved in their prosecution and detention. The position reports to the Research Director of DAWN and will be preferably based in Washington DC, but other locations may be considered.
Responsibilities:
- Research, monitor, and document human rights and international humanitarian law abuses by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, companies, local media, NGOs, victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, security forces, and others in the field;
- Write and publicize accurate, unbiased, comprehensive, and timely materials (often including images, audio, video, data analysis, and/or online tools) that include policy recommendations intended to contribute to ending abuses;
- Write op-eds, press releases, briefing memos, submissions to international bodies, statements, testimony, and other materials in order to disseminate our research findings and policy recommendations;
- Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices in the Gulf region;
- Respond promptly to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights and policy communities and take initiative to project our concerns in public debate;
- Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present our concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, company representatives, multi-stakeholder initiatives, and the media;
- Assist the Gulf Research Director in compiling information and work closely with them on research and advocacy strategy. Assist the Executive Director and Development Director in conducting fundraising;
- Work closely with partner organizations to develop opportunities for our work to enhance and complement their own work;
- Liaise effectively with DAWN staff to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
- Be prepared and willing to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events;
- Travel domestically and overseas, as required, to conduct fact-finding missions and advocacy;
- Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the organization; and
- Carry out any other duties as required.
Qualifications
- Education: An advanced (graduate) degree in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or commensurate experience is required.
- Experience: Minimum four years of relevant experience in the Middle East and North Africa is required. Relevant experience may include among other things, work as a journalist, field-based researcher, investigator, academic, or attorney on issues related to human rights; research and advocacy for nonprofit organizations; or work in government and international organizations on human rights or related issues.
Related Skills and Knowledge
- Ability to identify, research, analyze, and effectively communicate important human rights developments in the area of specialty is required.
- Ability and sensitivity to conduct interviews with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses are required.
- Ability to efficiently distil information about human rights issues so as to focus time and effort on issues of greatest importance or issues that are most capable of being influenced is required.
- Ability to identify and advise the staff in developing and implementing advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities is required.
- Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law is highly preferred.
- Proven track record of producing timely first-rate written materials and editing experience is required. Exceptionally strong research, analytical, writing, and editing skills are required.
- Demonstrable experience conducting challenging investigative research is highly desirable.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic are required.
- Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within DAWN, as well as with external partners, are required.
- Ability to multi-task effectively, including having good planning and organizing skills and ability to work under pressure 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 desirable.
Salary and Benefits
DAWN seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. DAWN will pay reasonable relocation expenses and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply:
- Contact: Please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief writing sample (not substantially edited by others), and contact information for three references to jobs@dawnmena.org.
Please use "Gulf Researcher Application" as the subject of your email.
Only complete applications will be reviewed. We regret that we can only contact short-listed candidates.
Equal Opportunity Employer
DAWN is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its hiring practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.
About DAWN
DAWN (www.dawnmena.org) is a new human rights and democracy reporting and advocacy organization focused on promoting rights-respecting, democratically-elected governments in the Arab World. DAWN was founded by Jamal Khashoggi and works to uphold his vision for freedom, human rights, and democracy in the Middle East and North Africa.
*Photo: CITY OF RIYADH, SAUDIA ARABIA – DECEMBER 4, 2017: aerial view of Riyadh (which means in Arabic "gardens"), the capital of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the homonymous province. It has more than six million inhabitants.(Photo by Reza/Getty Images)
