Deputy Program Director

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 Office, manage divisional directors to effectively lead and support Program department staff based around the world, many of whom work in challenging environments. Model, cultivate and coach inclusive and collaborative leadership within divisions that demonstrates commitment to diversity and belonging. Manage performance in a fair, consistent, transparent, and empathetic manner. Oversee effective financial management of the research divisions by the relevant divisional directors. Support staff resilience within divisions by promoting flexibility and life/work balance of all divisional staff. Promote an inclusive and positive work environment including by fostering diversity, equity and inclusion within the divisions and proactively addressing bias, discrimination, and microaggressions. Strategy and Innovation Together with other members of the Program office, oversee the development of the strategies and operational plans of designated research divisions, ensuring that plans include clear goals and benchmarks, and that they align with the priorities of the organization. This includes annual and multi-year planning, as well as leading staff through implementation of the global strategy process. Ensure well-articulated theories of change in divisional strategies and cross-divisional projects that can be measured and evaluated and that are contextualized within broader movements for change. Facilitate intra-organizational meetings to develop strategies and monitor their implementation. Systems for effective, impactful work Facilitate information flow and coherence across regional and thematic divisions with staff spread across many time zones. Ensure consistency and rigor in conducting research and implementing internal fact-checking guidelines and ethical standards, in line with best practices in the human rights field. Facilitate effective cross divisional collaboration and teamwork, including addressing blockages in effective collaboration within programmatic divisions a