human rights research jobs remote

Human Rights Research Jobs: Our Quick Guide

Most human rights careers have one thing in common: they depend on research. That means human rights researchers serve an essential role in the field, providing the data and analysis that can make or break an organization’s ability to reach its goals. Interested in this important work? Here’s a quick guide that answers the questions you might have about human rights research jobs.

Why is human rights research important?

Without accurate research, human rights work would be ineffective. No one would know where human rights violations are occurring, who is most affected, who is responsible, or what solutions are needed to preserve human rights. The stakes are high. If an organization’s research methodology is flawed, it can only be so successful. Poor research can lead to the waste of resources, the spread of misinformation, damaged reputations – and most significantly – continued human rights violations. Good research, on the other hand, provides organizations with much-needed clarity on the state of human rights, making a successful plan of action possible.

What do human rights researchers do?

Human rights research isn’t radically different from research in any other field. Researchers work to establish facts and find evidence for claims. That includes conducting interviews, tracking and monitoring news stories, studying satellite images and other photographic evidence, and using social media forensics. Many human researchers work from an office but often travel to talk to survivors or witnesses of human rights abuse.

Researchers also compile all the data they’ve collected into a comprehensive form. Most human rights organizations publish many reports a year on different topics, as well as an annual report summarizing their overall findings. These reports are distributed through the human rights world, but they’re also important for raising public awareness. The writing needs to be accessible.

Where do human rights researchers work?

Many nonprofit human rights organizations conduct their own research, so they need to hire researchers. Major research and advocacy groups include Amnesty International, Anti-Slavery International, and Refugees International. The United Nations employs researchers, as well, as do human rights institutes, academic entities, and governments. Any organization that puts out reports throughout the year depends on researchers. Human rights lawyers also often need help with research.  Examples of organizations regularly recruiting human rights researchers are:

• Human Rights Watch
• The United Nations
• Geneva Academy (Academy for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights)
• Amnesty International
• Physicians for Human Rights (PHR)
• Refugees International
• Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
• The European Agency for Fundamental Rights
• Anti-Slavery International

How do you become a human rights researcher?

If human rights research interests you, here’s what you should know about the career:

The first consideration is your educational background. Most human rights researchers have at least a bachelor’s degree, but you’ll find researcher jobs that ask for a master’s degree or even a doctoral degree, depending on the organization and what responsibilities the researchers have. As for what subject you should major in, jobs will typically have a variety of preferences, which is common for most human rights careers. Applicable degrees include political science, law, criminal justice, history, psychology, sociology, and of course, human rights. Researchers typically have an area they specialize in, so consider what you’re most passionate about and focus on it.

Work experience

Many research jobs require or prefer candidates with past work experience. For those searching for their first jobs after graduation, internships usually count. While you’re in school, take advantage of internship programs, especially if you aren’t required to complete one to graduate and feel tempted to skip that part. Past volunteer work can also be very helpful when you’re searching for jobs. While interning or volunteering with an organization rarely guarantees you a job at that organization, it’s not uncommon for researchers to be offered jobs after they’ve proven their skills.

Required skills

Human rights research is extremely detail-oriented and precise. The best researchers will have these skills, as well as excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills. They’re able to set and stick to their goals, understand the contexts their research takes place in, follow the facts, and articulate their findings to a wide audience.

Because human rights research involves human rights violations and working with survivors, researchers also need to demonstrate respect, empathy, and emotional resilience. Speaking to survivors, combing through photo evidence, and reporting on violations can be very challenging. Organizations want researchers who are compassionate, but who are also able to mitigate the emotional stress of the work.

How much do human rights researchers get paid?

Salary depends on the organization someone works for, their responsibilities, level of seniority and what level of education they have. According to Zippia’s description of a human rights investigator (a type of job within human rights research), people make an average of $61,556 per year. Those with a master’s degree make just over $68,000 while PhDs make over $70,000. If you work for a smaller organization, your salary will likely be less than what someone with the same job at a larger organization makes. As an example, Glassdoor says that a researcher with the large Human Rights Watch organization makes an average of $76,310 per year with some researchers there making over $90,000. That’s a fairly unusual salary, however. As with most human rights careers, high salaries are not the norm, but you can still find jobs that pay well.

You may also like

Apply Now for the United Nations The Hague Immersion Programme

The UN Immersion Programme Is Open for Applications!

The UN Young Leaders Online Training Programme is Open for Applications!

Apply now: Essex Human Rights Summer School (Fully Online)

17 International Organizations Offering Early-Career Opportunities

Gender Rights Jobs: Our Short Guide

Free MOOC on Children’s Right to Education in Armed Conflict

9 Online Courses on Leading Diverse Teams

40 Top-Rated Social Issues Courses to Study in 2024

10 Courses to Prepare for Your Human Rights Job

Register now: Global Institute of Human Rights Certificate Program

NGO Jobs: Our Short Guide

About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

Post your Resume

• Starred Jobs
• Medical - Health
• Translation And Transcription
• Administrative
• Finance & Legal
• Business And Management
• Sales And Marketing
• DevOps & Sysadmin
• Copywriting
• Customer Support
• Programming
• Last 24 hours (10,900)
• Last 7 days (25,114)
• Last 15 days (26,325)
• All jobs (27,979)

• Administrative Assistant
• Accounts Executive
• Account Manager
• Acute Care Registered Nurse
• Administrator
• Administrative Officer
• Accounts Assistant
• Accounts Payable Specialist
• Aesthetician
• Advocacy Specialist
• Administrative Services Manager
• Acquisition Analyst

Human Resources

Diversity and Inclusion

Microsoft Office

• Primary Care
• Clinical Research
• Disability Insurance
• North America
• Employer (4,495)
• Recruiter (426)
• Entry Level (327)
• 2 to 5 years (12)
• 5 to 7 years (4)
• 7 to 10 years (2)
• 10 to 15 years (1)

Related searches:

Send me new remote jobs everyday: Human Rights Research Jobs

Receive the latest job openings for:

These searches might also be of interest:

Your job alert has been successfully created. Check your email and click on the link to start receiving your job alerts

Date Posted

• One Medical (1,518)
• Novant Health external-icims (918)
• Novant Health (505)
• Canonical - Jobs (421)
• MCI Careers (418)
• DLR Group (388)
• Baylor Scott & White Health (330)
• Center for Social Dynamics (110)
• Methodist Hospital Metropolitan (99)
• Swedish Health Services (98)
• Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic (84)
• UCHealth (66)
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (63)
• Edward Jones (59)
• New York, NY
• Winston-Salem, NC
• Toronto, ON
• Washington, DC
• Seattle, WA
• Charlotte, NC
• San Francisco, CA
• Winston Salem, NC
• Chicago, IL

Employer/Recruiter

You refined by

Human rights research jobs in remote - 28,487 job positions available.

Medical Sales Representative (Ankara 2), Speciality & Primar...

Recordati, established in 1926, is an international pharmaceutical group, listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (Reuters RECI.MI, Bloomberg REC IM, ISIN IT 0003828271), with a total staff of more than 4,300, dedicated to the research , development, manufacturing

Scientist - Pharma LC-MS/MS

Performing critical work that impacts our industry and our worlds health while problem solving and innovating in the field - that is what we get to do every day at KCAS Bio. If that gets you

Technical Support Specialist - Web Applications

About us JayWay Travel is a well-established and rapidly growing travel company that specializes in creating fully customized experiences for our clients travelling throughout Europe. Our company has been arranging unique travel experiences since 2006, and

Upload Your Resume — Let employers contact you directly

Sr. Lead Geologist

This Opportunity Provides subject matter technical support and leadership for the collection, identification, compiling, and analysis of geological data from various media (soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment, air/vapor). Ensures geological-related project elements and processes are conveyed

Senior Data Scientist

Senior Data Scientist TriNet is a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small to midsize businesses (SMBs). We enhance business productivity by enabling our clients to outsource their HR function to one strategic partner and

Triage RN - Labor and Delivery

RN - Labor and Delivery @ Swedish First Hill Full Time (36 Hour Week) 12 Hour Shifts Day Shift $20,000 Hiring Bonus and relocation for eligible external candidates who meet all conditions for payment - this

RN - Orthopedic Surgery

RN - Orthopedic Surgery @ Swedish First Hill Full Time (40 Hour Week) Variable Shift 10 Hour Shifts $20,000 Hiring Bonus and relocation for eligible external candidates who meet all conditions for payment - this is

Research Assistant Professor

HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY Research Assistant Professor in RNA biology (23240504) A research assistant professor position is currently open in Prof. Yiji Xias lab at the Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University. The position

Area Sales Leader - DC/Alexandria

JOB SUMMARY Provides leadership and direction to a team of area-based property sales associates to grow account share and drive revenue across hotels with regional priorities and overall segment strategies. Sets sales targets by associate and

Senior Researcher

Fujitsu Research of America (FRA) is inviting applications for a permanent research position in the field of quantum algorithms and applications. The successful candidate will be pursuing a graduate program in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or Physics

NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Psychiatry - College of Medical an...

Position Details College of Medical and Dental Sciences Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK Full time starting salary is normally in the range £38,619 to £65,955 Clinical Post Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to

Research Associate

UOE07 - £39,347 to £46,974 per annum School of Informatics Contract Type - Fixed Term - 4.5 Years Full Time - 35 Hours Per Week The Opportunity: The post is full-time (35 hours per week) and

Charge RN - NICU

Charge RN - NICU @ Swedish First Hill Full Time (36 Hour Week) Night Shift 12 Hour Shifts $20,000 Hiring Bonus and relocation for eligible external candidates who meet all conditions for payment - this is

RN - Labor and Delivery

RN - Labor and Delivery @ Swedish First Hill Full Time (36 Hour Week) 12 Hour Shifts Night Shift $20,000 Hiring Bonus and relocation for eligible external candidates who meet all conditions for payment - this

Compliance-Hyderabad-Associate-Software Engineering

YOUR IMPACT Are you passionate about developing mission-critical, high quality software solutions, using cutting-edge technology, in a dynamic environment? OUR IMPACT We are Compliance Engineering, a global team of more than 300 engineers and scientists who

Senior Business Systems Analyst

TriNet is a leading provider of comprehensive human resources solutions for small to midsize businesses (SMBs). We enhance business productivity by enabling our clients to outsource their HR function to one strategic partner and allowing them to

PhD Scholarship in AI for Electricity Markets - DTU Wind

If you would like to contribute to the green transition and digitalization of the energy system, this PhD position is right here in front of you. We offer a fully funded 3-year PhD position at DTU Wind

Social Behavioural Change (SBC) Coordinator

Social Behavioural Change Coordinator _ Immunization TEAM/PROGRAMME: GSK Immunization project LOCATION: Bale Robe ( Bale FO) GRADE: 3B POST TYPE: National Child Safeguarding: Level 3: the role holder will have contact with children and/or young people

Charge RN - Medical Specialty Unit

Charge RN - Medical Specialty Unit @ Swedish Issaquah Day Shift Full Time (36 Hour Week) 12 Hour Shifts $10,000 Hiring Bonus and relocation for eligible external candidates who meet all conditions for payment - this

Dean of Arts and Social Sciences

Dean of Arts and Social Sciences (23240485) Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is looking for a distinguished, innovative and dynamic scholar to lead the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The University Founded in 1956, Hong

• Next →

Subscribe for job alerts and resources to make your job search easier!

Confirmation email sent to

Check your email and click on the link to start receiving your job alerts

Browse remote categories:

• Human Rights Research

Upload Your Resume Let employers contact you directly

Receive the latest remote job openings for:

You also might be interested in:

Show me new jobs

Receive alerts when new remote jobs open up for:

Save now, apply later

Save jobs and review them later. To save a job you must login