Information Designer

The Communications Department at Human Rights Watch shapes the organization’s public voice and influence, ensuring our research and advocacy inform global debates, reach key decision-makers, and drive accountability for human rights abuses wherever they occur. The Multimedia Divison of the Communications Department is seeking an Information Designer to lead it’s data visualizations work and to design infographics, maps, and chart for major investigations and reports.

This role reports to a member of the Multimedia Division leadership team and will be based in New York, Washington DC, Toronto, Sao Paolo, London, Berlin, Johannesburg, or Amsterdam, and will be expected to work from the office 3 days per week.

Responsibilities:

• Conceptualize and design standalone data visualization for reports and visually driven feature stories for web, email and social media audiences as well as printed materials;

• Partner with staff and partners to enhance presentation of research findings;

• Collaborate internally as a member of the Multimedia team on the design of data-driven investigations and reporting;

• Conduct basic qualitative and quantitative research to inform our content;

• Analyze and present data in a clear and compelling visual format;

• Create detailed design specifications and organize files for easy handoff and/or collaboration with our Web team;

• Deliver outputs in a timely manner and be consistent with the agreed strategy and priorities of the Media Department;

• Monitor new graphic trends, emerging practices and design production tools. Make recommendations for new content opportunities for adoption by HRW;

• Exercise strong visual and journalistic judgement to ensure quality of output meets HRW visual, ethical, and legal standards; and

• Perform other tasks as required.

Education: A bachelor’s level degree, or equivalent working 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:

• Demonstrated expertise in fundamentals of graphic design, including typography, layout, color, and user-centered design is required.

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

• Experience transforming data into compelling stories through static and interactive visualizations, dashboards, and infographics is required.

• Experience creating engaging layouts using tools such as Figma, Adobe XD, Illustrator, InDesign, or Photoshop, grounded in UX/UI design principles is required.

• 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.

• Ability to identify and track both graphic design trends and innovative techniques is preferred.

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

• Possess excellent project management skills, flexibility, and the ability to manage multiple projects through proactive communication Self-motivation and ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment are required.

Other: Must possess valid work authorization for the country of application.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance. The salary range for this position if based in the US is US$ 80,000 - 88,000. Salary ranges in other locations vary according to the local market.