Development Writer

Human Rights Watch, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Human Rights Watch, Inc. is seeking a Development Writer/Editor in New York for a 12-month fixed-term, full-time role in the Development and Outreach Department. You will craft concise, persuasive fundraising materials reflecting HRW’s work, impact, and values, with a focus on human-centered storytelling and donor engagement.

The role reports to the Director of Program Engagement and involves collaboration across multiple time zones. Preference for candidates near the New York office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Minimum of five years writing compelling fundraising content on deadline.

Responsibilities

• Craft short-form writing for a global donor audience in various formats.
• Synthesize and shorten existing material for accessibility and engagement.
• Stay current with HRW’s programmatic work to accurately convey mission and impact.
• Collaborate with development teams to create materials advancing fundraising objectives.
• Liaise with Program and Media to inform and improve materials.
• Set priorities and manage workflow for multiple projects to meet deadlines.

Skills

Written communication

Storytelling

Audience tailoring

Editing for fundraising

Time management

Research skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

FULL-TIME FIXED-TERM JOB VACANCY

Development Writer/Editor

Development and Outreach Department

New York Application Date: October 18 th , 2026

The Development and Outreach Department of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking applicants for the position of Development Writer. This person will craft concise, fresh, persuasive and compelling materials for fundraising purposes that reflect the work, impact, and values of HRW with an emphasis on human-centered writing and storytelling. The successful candidate will also be a critical thought partner on new and innovative written fundraising and stewardship tools. Applicants should be comfortable writing on a variety of topics on deadline and have experience turning complicated subject matter into accessible, inspirational content for broad donor audiences.

This position reports to the Director of Program Engagement in the Donor Experiences and Offers team, based in the New York area, and will collaborate with colleagues across multiple time zones.

Candidates will preferably be based within the commuting distance to our New York office.

This is a 12-month fixed term full-time position.

Responsibilities:

• 1. Craft short-form writing for a global donor audience in a variety of formats, e.g. impact updates and impact summaries, easy-to-read explainers, talking points, communication on breaking news, email fundraising copy, and funding menus;
• 2. Synthesize and shorten existing writing on a range of complex topics to make it accessible and engaging for a broad donor audience;
• 3. Stay up-to-date with HRW’s programmatic work, especially priority areas and latest impact, in order to accurately convey the mission and work of HRW in all materials;
• 4. Collaborate with development teams working on content, including the Foundations and Program Liaison office, Marketing, Planned Giving, Creative and fundraisers to conceptualize and develop compelling materials and templates that advance our fundraising objectives;
• 5. Liaise with colleagues in Program and Media Departments to inform and materials;
• 6. Set priorities and manage workflow for multiple projects on deadline in alignment with an established stewardship calendar, while still leaving capacity for opportunistic urgent response work; and
• 7. Perform other responsibilities as may be required.

Qualifications:

Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience is required.

Experience: A minimum of five years writing compelling content on deadline for fundraising, development, marketing, or communications purposes is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex information into succinct, compelling content for a broad donor audience.
• Demonstrated ability to tailor writing to different audiences, including across geographies.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality content on deadline.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to incorporate input and work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including executive staff.
• Excellent time and project management skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment when communicating breaking news to donor audiences.
• Familiarity with and demonstrated commitment to international human rights or a related field.
• Development or outreach experience in the non-profit sector is desirable.
• Experience producing visually appealing content including by working with graphic designers is desirable.

Other: We are not able to sponsor work authorization for this role. Candidates must possess valid work authorization for this position.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers comprehensive compensation and benefits. The salary range for this position if based in the US is USD 80,000 – 88,000 plus benefits. Salary ranges outside of the US vary based on location, and you will receive specific salary ranges based on your location early during the recruitment process.

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.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Human Rights Watch’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

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