Job Description

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

RESEARCHER, KOREAS

Asia Division

Seoul, Korea

Application deadline: November 29th, 2026

The Asia Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Researcher/Advocate on the Koreas. The Researcher/Advocate will investigate and analyze human rights abuses in North Korea and advocate for an end of these abuses. The Researcher/Advocate will also work to elevate human rights in South Korean foreign policy. The Asia Division is one of HRW’s six regional research programs and is made up of about 30 staff, many of them based in the region and working in challenging environments.

This position reports to the Deputy Asia Director in Washington DC. This position will be hired as a consultant, initially on a one-year contract that can be renewed annually upon agreement by both parties. The position will be based in Seoul, South Korea where the consultant will work remotely.

Responsibilities:

1. Research, monitor and document the human rights situation in North Korea by collecting and analyzing information from a wide variety of sources including governments, media, academia, NGOs, victims, witnesses, journalists, diplomats, security forces and others;
2. Write and publicize reports, briefing papers, letters, news releases, op-eds, and submissions to international bodies, governments and companies to expose and end abuses in North Korea; collect supporting documents and materials such as photographs and videos;
3. Assist in the development and implementation of local, regional, and international strategies to change abusive laws, policies, and practices;
4. Respond to queries from the media, public, and colleagues in the human rights community and take initiative to project concerns in public debates;
5. Assist the Director of the Division and HRW’s Development and Global Initiative Department in conducting fundraising, when needed;
6. Place abuses within the broader political, social and economic contexts and present human rights concerns to government officials, opinion leaders, inter-governmental agencies, and the media;
7. Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that HRW's work complements and enhances their own work without jeopardizing their security;
8. Advance the Asia Division’s work, including through innovative and creative research and advocacy projects and plans;
9. Work with the Asia Division and staff in the Advocacy and Communications Department to identify opportunities and support all research and advocacy efforts involving the South Korean government;
10. Work collaboratively across HRW’s programmatic divisions to support their work in the Korean peninsula;
11. Travel internationally, as required;
12. Deliver outputs in a timely manner and consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Asia division, and
13. Perform other tasks, as may be required.

Qualifications:

Education: An advanced (graduate) degree or equivalent experience in international relations, journalism, law, social sciences, or related studies is required.

Experience: A minimum of five years of professional-level experience working on North Korea is required. Experience working in or knowledge of South Korea’s civil society, media, parliament or government is preferred.

Related Skills and Knowledge:

1. Ability to identify, research, analyze and effectively communicate important human rights developments in North Korea is required.
2. Ability to conduct interviews safely remotely and in-person with a wide range of people, including victims and witnesses, is required. Ability to conduct research through open-source techniques is required.
3. Knowledge of and experience working in international human rights and familiarity with international human rights law are required.
4. Knowledge of the South Korean foreign policy landscape is preferred.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Korean is required.
6. Initiative and follow-through, capacity to think creatively and strategically, excellent editing skills, and dynamic public speaking skills are required.
7. Interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively within HRW, as well as with external partners, are required.
8. Ability to multi-task effectively, including having strong planning and organizing skills, and ability to work under pressure are required.
9. Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate developing and urgent events is required.

Other: Applicants for this role must possess valid South Korean work authorization.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation.

How to Apply: Please apply by November 29th 2026, by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and submitting a cover letter and CV or resume. 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. Applicants found using Generative AI to support their applications will be automatically disqualified.

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.