Associate, Press

Human Rights Watch; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A global human rights organization is seeking a Press Associate based in Johannesburg, Amman, or Beirut. This full-time role involves copy editing and providing administrative support within the Communications Division. Candidates must possess a bachelor's degree in communications or a related field, alongside strong organizational skills and English fluency. The role requires assisting with media products and event organization, as well as collaborating with colleagues across different time zones.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Employer-paid benefits

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related fields required.
• Minimum one year of relevant work experience required.
• Fluency in English required.

Responsibilities

• Copy edit, format, and distribute materials.
• Track the editorial flow of research and media products.
• Respond to queries from journalists.
• Assist with organizing events and press conferences.
• Provide administrative support as needed.

Skills

Organizational skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Attention to detail

Ability to work under pressure

Interpersonal skills

Resourcefulness

Copy editing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Tools

MS Office applications

Job description

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY: PRESS ASSOCIATE

Communications Division

Location: Amman, Beirut, or Johannesburg

Application Deadline: December 18, 2025

The Communications Division of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking candidates for the position of Associate based in one of our offices in either Amman, Beirut, or Johannesburg to provide editorial assistance and administrative support to the Communications team, part of the Media Department. The Media Department works to determine the best messages, the right audiences, and the best vehicle to raise public awareness of the human rights violations HRW investigates and documents. The successful candidate for this position will assist the HRW Press Team with the range of materials being published by HRW daily, including copy editing and administrative duties. The Associate reports to the Associate Director based in Washington DC.

Responsibilities

• Copy edit, format, and distribute materials; assist with coordinating the review, production, translation, and distribution of reports, news releases, letters, charts, briefing papers, op-eds, other publications, and web content;
• Track the editorial flow of research and media products;
• Collaborate with the associates in East Coast USA, West Coast USA, and Asia time zones on media roundups and analysis for reports, news releases, and other products when needed;
• Handle and respond to queries from journalists and other media professionals, connecting them with relevant staff where appropriate;
• Act as a bridging shift between the Sydney office and the USA offices, tracking, updating, and relaying important information between the two teams; occasionally work a staggered shift with a later finish;
• Create and maintain extensive contact databases and filing and archiving systems;
• Maintain the HRW Press pipeline, keep all publishing schedules and calendars up to date and relevant;
• Maintain contacts with translators and update contact information as needed;
• Provide administrative support including recording and processing divisional finances; responding to inquiries; making travel arrangements; and performing other administrative duties as necessary;
• Process translation invoices in a timely manner;
• Collaborate with the associates in East Coast, Europe, Asia time zones on media roundups and analysis for reports, news releases, and other products when needed;
• Maintain communication among HRW offices, global staff, and external partners;
• Assist with organizing events including press conferences and partner meetings;
• Assist with some desk research tasks and provide support to associated multimedia projects when necessary;
• Carry out other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, social sciences, international relations, or related studies is required.

Experience: A minimum of one year of relevant work experience is required. English language fluency is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge

• Prior experience and strong organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail are required;
• Resourcefulness, initiative, follow-through, ability to work independently are required;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required; proficiency in other languages is highly desirable;
• The ability to work well under pressure and to manage multiple priorities while working effectively toward deadlines is required;
• Strong interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within Human Rights Watch as well as with external partners are required;
• Ability to make sound decisions consistent with functions and take initiative when appropriate is required;
• Proficiency in computer programs including MS Office applications is required;
• Copy editing or proofing experience is required;
• An understanding of news cycles and international media outlets is preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international issues and the capacity to master and represent the mission and programs of Human Rights Watch are highly desirable.

Salary and Benefits

HRW offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.

How to Apply

Please apply immediately or by December 18, 2025 by visiting our online job portal at www.hrw.org/careers and attaching a letter of interest and a CV or resume. 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 require a disability-related accommodation to submit your application, please email [e-mail]. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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.