*Consultancy Opportunity*

Consultant on Technology and Disability Rights

Disability Rights Division

Multiple Locations Considered

Application Deadline: May 14, 2023

The Disability Rights Division (“DRD”) of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking applicants for a fixed-term consultancy on the intersection of Technology and Disability Rights. The consultant will map out existing actors, scope potential projects where our work can add value and have impact in this field. The consultancy term is estimated to be about 45 days over a two-month period. The consultant may be based in any location. The consultant’s direct contact will be the Associate Director of the Disability Rights Division based in Toronto.

Terms of Reference:

1. Map out the threats and opportunities posed by new and emerging technologies for Human Rights Watch’s work on the rights of people with disabilities and older people;

2. Map out existing actors working on the intersection of human rights, technology and disability rights and/or older persons’ rights;

3. Scope current and potential technology-related abuses related to people with disabilities and older people by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources, including conducting interviews with organizations of persons with disabilities and older people;

4. Recommend potential research and advocacy projects where HRW can add value, have an impact in this intersectional field, in line with the strategy of our Technology and Human Rights Division; and

5. Draft a comprehensive internal memorandum that will include the scoping research and recommendations about potential research and advocacy projects on the intersection of technology and disability rights and/or older persons’ rights, in consultation with the Technology and Human Rights Division.

Qualifications and Experience:

The following qualifications and experiences are likely to be necessary for the successful execution of the project:

1. Experience in human rights issues related to technology, including the threats posed by new and emerging technologies and the role of technology.

2. An interest and experience in disability rights issues related to technology is preferred.

3. Experience working as an investigative reporter or assisting in field research; research and advocacy for nonprofit organizations; or work in corporations or government and international organizations on policies relating to human rights.

4. Experience scoping, identifying, researching, analyzing, and effectively communicating important technology-related developments that pertain to disability rights and older people’s rights.

5. Experience carrying out interviews with organizations representing people with diverse disabilities and older people.

6. Excellent written and spoken English; other languages skills are a plus.

7. Understanding of international human rights mechanisms and laws applicable to monitoring and defending the rights of persons with disabilities and older people.

8. Experience developing advocacy strategies.

Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this position.

Other: The successful candidate must have the right to work as a consultant in the location they are based.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by May 14, 2023 by visiting our online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org/ and attaching a letter of interest, CV/resume, preferably as PDF files. 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 to submit your application, please email [email protected]. 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.