Human Rights Watch
Non-profit
DeputyProgramDirector
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Director candidates.
“Deputy Program Director at Human Rights Watch. Manage divisional directors. Lead and support Program department staff”
Industry & Context.
Troubleshoot conflicts; Troubleshoot issues
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Experience in implementing writing standards, Experience in implementing research standards, Experience in implementing ethical standards, Experience fostering engagement, Experience fostering effectiveness of staff, Experience promoting diversity, Experience promoting equity, Experience fostering staff resilience, Experience fostering staff well-being, Experience participating in designing strategy, Experience participating in implementing strategy, Experience with delivering results, Track record of measurable successes, Experience contributing to work culture, Experience contributing to work practice, Experience attracting staff, Experience retaining staff, Demonstrated ability to set priorities, Demonstrated ability to delegate responsibilities, Demonstrated ability to allocate resources, Demonstrated ability to apply culturally competent behaviors, Demonstrated ability to apply culturally competent attitudes, Demonstrated ability to apply culturally competent practices, Advanced degree in international relations, Advanced degree in law, Advanced degree in journalism, Advanced degree in related field
Nice to Have
Experience cultivating collaboration, Experience facilitating collaboration, Experience working in Europe and Central Asia, Experience working in the Middle East and North Africa
What You'll Do.
Manage divisional directors
Lead and support Program department staff
Model inclusive leadership
Cultivate inclusive leadership
Coach inclusive leadership
Oversee financial management
Support staff resilience
Promote life/work balance
Promote inclusive work environment
Address discrimination
Address microaggressions
Oversee strategy development
Oversee operational plan development
Ensure clear benchmarks
Align plans with priorities
Lead staff through implementation
Ensure theories of change
Measure theories of change
Evaluate theories of change
Contextualize strategies
Facilitate intra-organizational meetings
Monitor strategy implementation
Facilitate information flow
Ensure coherence across divisions
Ensure consistency in research
Ensure rigor in research
Implement fact-checking guidelines
Implement ethical standards
Facilitate cross divisional collaboration
Address collaboration blockages
Foster sustainable relationships
Strengthen relationships with partners
Promote visibility of partnership work
Promote recognition of partnership work
Troubleshoot partnership obstacles
Oversee research standards
Oversee writing standards
Oversee fact-checking standards
Review divisional products
Approve project design memos
Support compliance with vetting guidelines
Support compliance with research standards
Support compliance with policies
Design security protocols
Ensure compliance with security protocols
Approve security plans
Participate in security plan implementation
Make decisions on security issues
Troubleshoot conflicts between divisions
Troubleshoot conflicts with Security team
Escalate security issues
Cultivate working relationships
Maintain working relationships
Participate in leadership meetings
Participate in cross-departmental initiatives
Undertake special projects
Fulfill program office purpose
Ensure success of research divisions
Participate in fundraising
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Inclusive and collaborative leadership; Cross-divisional collaboration; Teamwork; Interdisciplinary collaboration; Cross-departmental initiatives
Communication Scope
Writing
Process & Methodology
Operational plans, Multi-year planning, Project design
Full Job Description
FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY Deputy Program Director Program Department Multiple Office Locations Considered Application Deadline: June 21, 2026 Compelling fact-finding that influences policy is at the heart of Human Rights Watch’s (HRW’s) capacity for impact. We are looking for a strategic leader and manager for the role of Deputy Program Director in the Program Office, HRW’s research office that oversees 240 research staff in 15 thematic and regional divisions around the world. The Deputy Program Director should be an effective leader and people manager, and a strategic thinker with deep knowledge of human rights issues, research methodologies and advocacy in the field of international human rights. The successful candidate will have experience in implementing writing, research and ethical standards in accordance with best practices in the human rights field, fostering the engagement and effectiveness of staff, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion; fostering staff resilience and well-being, and participating in designing and implementing strategy. The Deputy Program Director will oversee five of HRW’s research divisions (regional and thematic), facilitate programmatic implementation of HRW’s global strategy, participate in developing strategies at the project and divisional levels, and undertake additional responsibilities within the Program office as outlined below. The Deputy Program Director will work with the Program Office, comprised of a Program Director, two additional Deputies, an Associate Director for research training and standards, a Senior Editor, Senior Officer and Coordinator. The Deputy Program Director will report to the Global Program Director, and will preferably be based in any of the following locations where HRW has an office: New York, Washington, Toronto, Sao Paulo, London, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Beirut, or Amman. Responsibilities: Managerial Responsibilities In consultation with other members of the Program Offic
Applying for this Deputy Program Director role?
Most applicants get filtered before a human reads their resume. See if yours makes the cut.
How to Apply on Greenhouse
- Create a Greenhouse profile before applying — it saves time across multiple applications.
- Upload your resume as a PDF; the parser handles it better than Word.
- Answer all knockout questions carefully — wrong answers auto-reject before a human sees you.
- Enable email notifications to track application status in real time.
ANONYMOUS · UNFILTERED
What do employees actually say about Human Rights Watch?
Real rants from real employees. Read before you apply.