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Job Title: AI Strategy and Solutions Lead
Location: Multiple Locations Considered (Amsterdam, Amman, Berlin, Brussels, London, Stockholm, New York, Washington DC, Miami, São Paulo, Toronto, Chicago)
Contract Type: Fixed-term, Full-time (12 months)
Application Deadline: February 16, 2026
Salary Range: Competitive; US-based salary range USD 102,000 – 112,250 plus benefits (Note: Salary varies by location)

About the Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is a globally recognized international organization dedicated to defending and promoting human rights through rigorous research, advocacy, and policy change.

With a presence in numerous countries, HRW aims to hold governments and other powerful entities accountable for human rights violations. The organization prides itself on fostering diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, and maintaining a strong commitment to ethical standards and responsible practices.

HRW is seeking a highly experienced AI Strategy and Solutions Lead to spearhead the organization’s responsible AI adoption and implementation efforts across multiple offices worldwide.

The role involves strategic planning, technical implementation, stakeholder engagement, and governance development, all aimed at integrating AI solutions that align with HRW’s mission and values.

The Role

The AI Strategy and Solutions Lead will play a pivotal role at the intersection of strategic planning and hands-on technical execution. This position is designed for an individual who is adept at assessing organizational readiness for AI, developing comprehensive AI strategies, and delivering impactful AI solutions that generate measurable value.

The successful candidate will work closely with senior leadership, including the Chief Information Officer (CIO), and collaborate across departments to embed AI technology responsibly, ethically, and effectively into HRW’s operations.

The role demands a strategic thinker with a solid technical background, capable of building partnerships, establishing governance frameworks, and creating AI solutions that are scalable, secure, and aligned with HRW’s core principles. The AI Lead will not only prototype and deploy AI solutions but also foster organizational capacity, ensuring that staff across various teams are equipped to leverage AI responsibly.

This is a fixed-term position, initially for 12 months, with the possibility of extension depending on organizational needs and project success. The position offers a unique opportunity to shape HRW’s AI future within a globally impactful human rights organization.

Key Responsibilities

Developing and Implementing AI Strategy

Collaborate with the CIO, the Information Security and Technology (IST) leadership team, and relevant stakeholders to craft a comprehensive AI strategy that covers data foundation requirements, infrastructure gaps, and organizational readiness assessments.
Conduct detailed assessments of HRW’s current state regarding AI capabilities, infrastructure, and organizational culture to identify areas requiring development.

Develop a strategic roadmap that balances quick wins—such as pilot projects and initial deployments—with long-term capacity-building initiatives.
Conduct research into AI adoption trends among peer organizations in the nonprofit, humanitarian, and human rights sectors, identifying potential collaboration opportunities and innovative practices.
Establish clear success metrics and KPIs to measure the impact of AI initiatives and ensure alignment with HRW’s mission and ethical standards.

Building and Deploying AI Solutions

Partner with various departments to discover high-impact use cases where AI can improve processes, enhance outcomes, and demonstrate tangible value (e.g., time savings, efficiency gains, better data insights).
Translate organizational needs into technical approaches, designing, prototyping, and deploying AI and machine learning (ML) solutions that address real-world challenges.

Leverage Microsoft AI ecosystem tools such as Copilot Studio, Azure AI, and Power Platform to build solutions that are accessible and scalable.
Oversee external vendors and consultants to extend delivery capacity, ensuring solutions are delivered on time and meet quality standards.

Balance tool adoption with capacity building by designing training materials and resources for staff at various skill levels, emphasizing responsible AI practices and effective prompting techniques.
Support the creation of AI playbooks, guides, and best practices to democratize AI knowledge and facilitate adoption across the organization.

Building Governance and Policy Frameworks

Partner with HRW’s IST leadership to develop risk assessment frameworks, ensuring AI solutions are aligned with security policies, data privacy standards, and technical architecture.
Contribute to the development and operationalization of AI policies, including ethical guidelines, responsible AI frameworks, and governance models.

Establish standards and criteria for evaluating proof of concepts (POC) and minimal viable products (MVP), ensuring solutions are practical, secure, and aligned with organizational priorities.
Coordinate with business units to foster co-ownership of AI initiatives, ensuring solutions are relevant and sustainable.
Support organizational change management efforts, helping staff adapt to new AI tools and workflows while emphasizing ethical use and data security.

Stakeholder Engagement and Cross-Organizational Collaboration

Build strong relationships with internal teams and external partners to facilitate collaboration, knowledge sharing, and joint innovation.
Lead stakeholder engagement efforts, ensuring diverse perspectives are incorporated and that AI initiatives align with HRW’s core values and human rights commitments.

Support working groups, communities of practice, and cross-organizational forums focused on AI and responsible technology use.
Monitor evolving AI trends, technologies, and ethical standards to keep HRW at the forefront of responsible AI deployment.

Qualifications and Experience

Educational Background

A bachelor’s degree or higher in fields such as Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Mathematics, AI/ML implementation, or a related technical discipline is required. Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.

Professional Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience, with at least 2-3 years dedicated to AI or ML solution development and deployment.
Demonstrated experience in implementing AI/ML solutions in production environments, including building and deploying models that deliver measurable business value.
Proven track record of contributing to technology strategies, assessing organizational readiness, and guiding organizations through AI adoption.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

Strong coding skills in Python, with experience in ML libraries and frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, etc.
Hands-on experience with predictive modeling, data analysis, and statistical techniques.
Familiarity with low-code/no-code AI platforms such as Microsoft Copilot Studio, Power Platform, or similar tools.

Knowledge of generative AI, traditional ML approaches, and their applications.
Experience in building solutions that balance innovation with practical constraints, including data quality, security, and ethical considerations.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, accessible language suitable for diverse audiences.

Stakeholder and Change Management Skills

Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills across technical and non-technical teams.
Experience supporting organizational change, training staff, and fostering a culture of responsible AI use.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage vendors, and work within resource constraints.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience working within nonprofit, humanitarian, or human rights organizations.
Deep understanding of data privacy, security, and ethical AI frameworks.

Familiarity with responsible AI governance models and best practices.
Vendor and consultant management experience.
Background working in politically sensitive or high-risk environments.

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Salary and Benefits

HRW offers competitive compensation packages aligned with industry standards and local market conditions. For US-based applicants, the salary range is USD 102,000 – 112,250, plus employer-paid benefits. Salaries outside the US are determined based on local market conditions and organizational policies.

Benefits include health insurance, paid leave, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment committed to diversity and inclusion.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by February 16, 2026. To apply, visit HRW’s online careers portal at careers.hrw.org, where you can upload your cover letter and resume (preferably in PDF format).

Please ensure your application clearly states “AI Strategy and Solutions Lead” in the subject line. HRW does not accept applications via email or phone inquiries; only complete applications submitted through the portal will be considered.

If applicants face technical issues or require accommodations, they should contact recruitment@hrw.org.

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Equal Opportunity Statement

Human Rights Watch is committed to diversity and inclusion. We actively seek candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nationality, or disability. HRW values the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings to the organization.

About Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is a global leader in the defense of human rights. Through meticulous research, advocacy, and strategic campaigns, HRW seeks to hold governments and organizations accountable for violating human rights and to promote justice and equality worldwide. With a presence in over 90 countries, HRW’s work is driven by a commitment to impartiality, independence, and integrity.

Human Rights Watch is hiring: AI Strategy and Solutions Lead (Remote, Flexible)

Job Description