Research Associate, Political Prisoners Initiative

About Freedom House

Freedom House is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to create a world where all are free.  We inform the world about threats to freedom, mobilize global action, and support democracy’s defenders, especially those working in closed authoritarian societies. We are founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people; the rule of law prevails; and freedoms are guaranteed.  Established 80 years ago to respond to the threats posed by fascism, we know there is no more powerful force for the development of human society than democracy. As the world experiences the 15th year of consecutive democratic decline, our work—and our partners carrying it out around the world—have never mattered more.

Position Summary

Freedom House is seeking a new full-time Research Associate to join a small, supportive, and dynamic team working to assess and combat the imprisonment of human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists around the world. The position will play a key role in producing new Freedom House policy research on the scale of the imprisonment of these human rights defenders across the globe and how to systemically address this authoritarian tool of repression through releases, rehabilitation, and accountability. Responsibilities will include contributing to a global dataset of political prisoners who are detained because of their human rights and democracy work, recruiting and coordinating research consultants, and helping to analyze research results that will be used to draw policy and analytical conclusions. The Research Associate will report to the Research Manager with a dotted line to the Director of the political prisoners initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to a new policy research project on political prisoners, focusing on the specific subset of human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists who are detained because of their work to challenge authoritarian regimes.
• Contribute to analysis on the scale and nature of the detention of human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists as political prisoners and help develop proposed solutions to counter this practice. Contribute written internal and external analysis for Freedom House and provide substantive input at internal and external meetings.
• Recruit and coordinate qualified field consultants with regional and thematic expertise, ensuring that they produce high quality, comparable research on the detention of human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists.
• Perform substantive fact-checking, editing, rewriting, and proofreading of reports produced by consultants, many authored by non-native English speakers. In the process of editing, supplement the reports with own research.
• Analyze data and prepare charts, graphics, and other support materials for publication.
• Assist with funding proposals, donor reports, and monitoring and evaluation of the project’s impact.
• Ensure consultant contracts, payment requests, business expense reports, and other financial documents are in line with Freedom House requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, plus a minimum of two years of directly related experience; or equivalent combination of advanced education and experience.

Core Competencies

• Outstanding English writing and editing skills and a knack for drafting concise, eloquent, and media-friendly communications.
• Knowledge of and interest in international and regional legal frameworks on human rights and arbitrary detention.
• Comfort working with limited supervision on long-term tasks, finding solutions to problems as they arise, and taking responsibility for your work.
• Superb attention to detail and an ability to produce error-free work on tight deadlines.
• Command of Microsoft Word to mark up and reformat documents, and Excel to create spreadsheets that are smart and neat.
• Familiarity and comfort with databases and data management.
• Emotional intelligence needed to facilitate cooperation between people with divergent views and from different cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in a workplace setting.
• Strong interpersonal skills for presenting to and communicating with diverse audiences ranging from at-risk activists to senior government officials.
• Ability to work remotely as a member of team, as needed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
• Experience conducting project management and coordinating multiple tasks on a 3-12 month timeline.
• Some experience with using quantitative data and qualitative information to create infographics and other communication materials for publication.
• Language skills, particularly Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, or Mandarin.

Additional Information

• Diversity makes our research stronger. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.
• Freedom House provides a strong benefits package, including a 10-percent employer match program for your 403(b) retirement account, commuter benefits, flexible summer hours, floating holidays, high employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision premiums, basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and more.
• Salaries are commensurate with experience and based on pay grades that prioritize equity across the organization. Salary range is between $50,000 and $60,000/year, depending on experience.
• The role may require light domestic and international travel to participate in conferences, briefings, and workshops.
• Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States.
• Freedom House employees are currently working remotely with the option to come into the office in New York City (located in downtown Manhattan) or Washington, DC. Strong candidates who wish to work fully remote will also be considered.
• As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

Directions to Apply

Please send us a resume (1-2 pages) and a cover letter (max. 1 page) describing your qualifications and interest in the position. Email your application materials to [email protected]. Applicants who fail to follow these directions will not be considered.

Cover letters should be responsive to the responsibilities and qualifications presented in the job description. Cover letters that highlight a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging will be well received.

Applications will be accepted until April 24, 2022. Interviews will begin in May. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.