Researcher, Myanmar

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Researcher, Myanmar
Asia Division
Multiple Southeast Asia Locations Considered
Open Until Filled

The Asia Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking applicants for the position of Myanmar Researcher to investigate, analyze, and advocate against human rights abuses in Myanmar and related regional issues. The researcher will develop and implement a research and advocacy agenda on human rights issues related to Myanmar.

The Asia Division is one of HRW’s six regional research programs and is made up of about 30 staff, many of them based in the region and working in challenging environments. The Asia Division works to promote human rights in Asia by conducting human rights investigations, writing reports, advocating, and working with partners and media.

This full-time position reports to a Deputy Asia Director and will be based preferably in Thailand, although other locations in Southeast Asia may be considered. The role is remote and expected to start in September 2026.

Responsibilities:

1. Research, monitor and document the human rights situation in Myanmar, as well as neighboring countries where rights abuses related to Myanmar are occurring, by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, media, academia, NGOs, victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others. This includes the situation of Rohingya and other refugees from Myanmar;
2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;
3. Lead development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices in Myanmar;
4. Respond to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debates;
5. Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
6. Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW's work complements and enhances their own work without jeopardizing their security;
7. Assist the Asia Division and HRW’s Development and Global Initiative Department in conducting fundraising;
8. Liaise effectively with HRW staff located in multiple locations throughout the world to ensure effective coordination and delivery of activities;
9. Travel internationally, as required;
10. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Asia division;
11. Carry out other tasks as required.

Qualifications:

Education: An Advanced degree or an equivalent level of experience in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or related studies is required.

Experience: A minimum of five years of professional-level experience working in or on Myanmar, with experience of human rights documentation, is required.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required and Burmese strongly preferred.
2. Significant knowledge of human rights and politics in Myanmar and a strong understanding of regional dimensions of the human rights and humanitarian crisis is required. Familiarity with the situation of refugees from Myanmar is desirable.
3. Ability to identify, prioritize, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in a rigorous, timely and sophisticated fashion is required.
4. Ability to conduct interviews safely remotely and in-person with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses, is required. Experience conducting open source investigations is desired.
5. Ability to produce high quality written materials under tight deadlines is required.
6. Knowledge of and experience working in human rights and familiarity with international human rights law are required. Familiarity with international humanitarian law is desired.
7. Initiative and follow-through, capacity to think creatively and strategically, including while under pressure, are required.
8. Interpersonal skills to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.
9. Ability to be self-directed and multi-task effectively, including having strong planning and organizing skills, in order to execute responsibilities with remote supervision, is required.
10. Ability to think strategically in order to develop and implement realistic and effective local and international advocacy strategies in order to seize advocacy opportunities and lead advocacy meetings is required. 
11. Demonstrated ability and willingness to think strategically about global and local media environments and how to use traditional and social media to further goals is required. Experience conducting media interviews is desired.
12. Ability to work flexible hours at times to accommodate staff in other time zones is required.

Salary and Benefits: HRW offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits.

How to Apply: Please apply on your earliest convinience by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and submitting a cover letter and 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 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.