Freedom House promotes the spread of freedom and democracy around the world through research, effective advocacy, and programs that support frontline activists. We are a leader in identifying threats to freedom through our highly regarded analytic reports, including Freedom in the World, Freedom of the Press, Freedom on the Net, Nations in Transit, and Countries at the Crossroads. With 13 field offices and two U.S. offices, we support the right of every individual to be free.
Position Summary
The Senior Research Assistant will assist in the production of Freedom on the Net, Freedom House’s publication that assesses internet and digital media freedom. Freedom on the Net employs over 60 independent consultants around the world who write reports on various aspects of internet freedom, such as online censorship, surveillance, laws impacting free speech online, extralegal harassment of bloggers, use of circumvention tools, and other topics identified in our methodology. Since its inception four years ago, the project has been adopted by governments, NGOs, journalists, and individual activists as a key source of information for their analysis, advocacy, and programming decisions. This position is based in New York and reports to the Project Director for Freedom on the Net.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, communications, or related field; Master’s degree or other advanced degree is strongly preferred
- Minimum 18 months of directly related experience
- Superior ability to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing
- Knowledge of key internet freedom issues including various censorship methods and internet surveillance
- Excellent ability to edit, review, and write reports
- Outstanding computer skills, including knowledge of basic HTML
- Ability to apply superb attention to detail and consistently produce timely and error-free work
- Ability to work with limited supervision and take responsibility for manage parts of projects
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to facilitate cooperation between people with divergent views and from different cultural backgrounds
- Experience in event organization and international travel preferred
Some duties and responsibilities
- Perform developmental and substantive editing, copyediting, and fact-checking of reports on internet freedom authored by non-native English speakers
- In the process of editing, supplement the reports with own research
- Take a lead role in logistical preparations for ratings-review meetings abroad, including booking flights and accommodation for participants, coordinating with the venues, and other tasks
- Produce consultant contracts and financial documents such as reconciliation and advance request in line with Freedom House requirements
- Maintain internet freedom-related content on Freedom House’s website and coordinate development of an online data visualization portal
- Preform financial tracking of the expenditures and ensure that all consultants are paid on time
- Help with preparing graphs and other support materials for publication
- Track internet freedom-related developments around the world and draft media alerts to draw attention to specific incidents
- Other related duties as assigned.
We offer great benefits including:
- 100% employer-paid dental insurance
- 100% employer-paid health insurance; or generously subsidized depending on plan and coverage
- 100% employer paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
- 100% employer paid short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
- 403(b) Retirement plan with generous matching funds with 2-year 100% vesting schedule
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical, and dependent care reimbursable expenses
- Transportation pre-tax payroll deduction for metro
- Generous paid vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays
- Tuition reimbursement for graduate studies
- A great place to work
- And much more……
Qualified and Interested applicants
We invite qualified candidates to send a resume, and cover letter with salary history (only candidates who send salary requirements will be considered for the position) as well as desired salary to: recruiting@freedomhouse.org or fax at (202) 822-3893, Attention: HR Dept., referencing 2012-120 SRA. Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
Only candidates authorized to work in the U.S. need apply.
EOE M/F/D/V