Senior Writer
Location: This position is usually located in our headquarters in New York City, but is remote while offices remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Schedule: Full-time 40 hours per week | Exempt
Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
Organization Description
For more than 30 years, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) has used science and medicine to document and call attention to mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. We investigate and document abuses, give voice to survivors and witnesses, and plant seeds of reconciliation by ensuring that perpetrators can be held accountable for their crimes. PHR uses our core disciplines – science, medicine, forensics, and public health – to inform our research and investigations and to strengthen the skills of frontline human rights defenders. We work closely with hundreds of partners around the world, using facts to wage effective advocacy and campaigning and providing critical scientific evidence so that survivors can seek justice.
PHR, which shared in the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for our work to end the scourge of landmines, is poised for even greater growth and impact. As part of that strategy, we are seeking committed activists with a passion for human rights.
Role Description
The senior writer at PHR prepares persuasive fundraising and institutional development materials for a wide range of audiences, including foundations, governments, corporations, and individual major donors. This position collaborates with PHR’s program departments to clearly and compellingly convey the urgent work PHR is doing to protect and advance human rights around the globe through grant proposals, donor reports, talking points, and briefs. The senior writer is fluent in a variety of styles, ranging from narrative storytelling to highly technical writing, and can navigate a complex workload while moving from project to project with ease. This position requires strategic thinking, excellent project management skills, and deep knowledge of PHR’s mission, values, and goals. This senior writer is a key member of the development team and reports to the director of institutional development in New York City.
Reports to: Director of institutional development
Responsibilities
- Learn and maintain a deep working knowledge of PHR and its mission, values, strategic goals, and programs;
- Proactively gather information related to multiple varied and complex programs, and convey this information succinctly and compellingly, tailored to different audiences;
- Partner with program departments to write, edit, and format grant proposals, reports, cover letters, donor communications, and related materials;
- Collaborate with development colleagues to prepare concise and compelling talking points and briefs to support donor solicitations;
- Ensure all materials are professionally formatted, visually compelling, and adhere to PHR brand guidelines;
- Edit and proofread drafts of proposals, reports, presentations, and other materials, as requested; and
- Assist the director of institutional giving with activities related to organizational grants, writing tasks, and institutional funder stewardship.
Qualifications and Skills
- At least 10 years of experience in grant writing, journalism, or programmatic research/writing, preferably for advocacy or mission-driven organizations;
- Demonstrated track record of success securing grants from foundations, governments, corporate funders, and individuals;
- Knowledge of fundraising principles;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Google Suites;
- Highly detail-oriented and organized, with superior research and editing skills;
- Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities;
- Ability to plan for and meet deadlines;
- Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, lived experiences, and communication styles; and
- Commitment to advancing human rights.
Salary and Benefits
PHR offers competitive compensation, with options for medical, dental, disability, and life insurance, a retirement savings plan, and generous vacation. PHR observes the last week of the calendar year as an opportunity to refresh, with all offices closed.
How to Apply
Please combine your cover letter and resume as one pdf or a word document (no longer than two pages) and send it to resumes@phr.org. Indicate your “Last Name/First Name, Senior Writer” in the email subject line.
A complete application consists of:
- A thoughtful cover letter explaining why you are qualified for/interested in the Senior Writer position with PHR.
- Resume/curriculum vitae.
Only complete applications in the format requested and sent to resumes@phr.org will be considered.
Physicians for Human Rights is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit and hire without regard to race, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, prior conviction, arrest history, disability, marital status, veteran status, or age.