Information Designer

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

INFORMATION DESIGNER

Digital Division

Multiple Office Locations Considered

Application Deadline: June 19, 2024

Human Rights Watch (HRW) advances human rights worldwide by investigating wrongs, exposing facts, offering solutions, and challenging those with power to respect rights. The Media Department creates and implements communications strategies to expand support for human rights, increase media coverage and influence in key markets, and reach new audiences.

The Media Department of HRW is seeking an experienced designer who specializes in information design to join our Visuals team. This is a full-time position that will be based in one of our offices in the North and South American region. The Designer reports to the Deputy Chief Communications Officer.

The successful candidate may have the option to work remotely. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities:

1. Conceptualize and design standalone visuals and visually-driven stories for web and social media audiences; 

2. Partner with program researchers to enhance presentation of research findings  and other employees from the Media Department;

3. Create and implement designs using different design tools;

4. Work as part of the three member Visuals team that oversee publications, photography and graphics, to contribute to excellence in production of major HRW research in a variety of forms including web features and interactives;

5. Conduct basic qualitative and quantitative research to inform visual content; analyze and present data through informative designs;

6. Exercise strong visual and journalistic judgement to ensure quality of outputs meets HRW visual, ethical, and legal standards;

7. Support the wider work of the Visuals team, including producing graphics, support photography and other content curation, and;

8. Perform other tasks as required.

Qualifications: 

Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably in graphic design, journalism, or a related field is required. 

Experience: A minimum of five years of professional experience producing and designing visual content, preferably in a news or editorial environment, is required. 

Related Skills and Knowledge: 

1. Demonstrated expertise in fundamentals of graphic design, including typography, layout, color, and user-centered design is required. We’re looking for someone who is a close follower of trends and innovations in informational design in the wider media landscape. 

2. Ability to consider audiences and optimize user experience to design engaging visual content is required.

3. Proficiency in prototyping tools such as Adobe XD and Figma is desirable.

4. Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, After Effects and InDesign desirable. 

5. Familiarity with front-end web development principles, including responsive mobile-friendly design, page speed, and HTML are required. An understanding of WCAG accessibility guidelines and experience with Content Management Systems such as Drupal is a plus.

6. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required; proficiency in other languages is desirable.  

7. Self-motivation and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment are required.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW offers a relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. If this position were to be based in the United States, the salary range would be USD 80,000-88,000. Salary ranges outside of the United States vary based on location.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by June 19, 2024, by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a cover letter and a 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, 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 ability, 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.