Amnesty International is Hiring a West Africa Researcher for Anglophone Countries with a €69,826 Salary
Amnesty International is seeking a West Africa Researcher for Anglophone countries to be based in Dakar, Senegal. This permanent role, with an annual salary of €69,826, is for a human rights expert to lead research and campaigning strategies across the region. We are advertising for a fluent English and French speaker with proven experience in human rights investigations, field research, and political analysis in West Africa. If you have specialist knowledge of the region’s key human rights concerns and a passion for delivering impactful change, apply now for this senior research position with a leading global human rights organization.
Background & Job Description
This job post is presented for informational and application purposes by our platform. We are an independent job board and are not affiliated with Amnesty International. All information is sourced from the official Amnesty International vacancy announcement.
Amnesty International is a globally recognized movement of over 10 million people dedicated to campaigning for a world where human rights are universally enjoyed. Independent, international, and influential, the organization works to end human rights abuses through rigorous research, direct lobbying, public demonstrations, and digital campaigning. Its mission is rooted in the hope for a better world where justice, fairness, freedom, and truth are upheld for every individual, everywhere.
The West and Central Africa Regional Office, based in Dakar, is at the forefront of addressing some of the most pressing and complex human rights challenges on the continent. The region encompasses a diverse array of political landscapes and human rights issues, including conflicts, restrictions on civic space, gender-based violence, and violations of economic and social rights. The work conducted from this office is critical for providing an impartial, evidence-based assessment of the human rights situation and for developing strategic campaigns that pressure governments and other actors to uphold their obligations.
The West Africa Researcher (Anglophone countries) is a senior, specialized role within this structure. The researcher acts as one of Amnesty International’s leading experts on the region, with a specific focus on Anglophone West African nations. This position is not merely analytical; it is fundamentally operational and impact-oriented. The researcher is entrusted with the end-to-end process, from designing the overarching research and advocacy strategy, to conducting dangerous field missions, to authoring definitive reports that shape international policy and public opinion. The individual in this role serves as the organization’s authoritative voice on human rights developments in their assigned countries, requiring a blend of deep academic knowledge, practical investigative skill, and strategic political acumen.
Tasks
The West Africa Researcher will be responsible for a comprehensive set of strategic, research, and representational tasks, including:
1. Strategic Development and Impact Delivery
- Lead the development and implementation of overarching, multi-year research and campaigning strategies designed to deliver measurable impact on agreed human rights priorities in Anglophone West Africa.
- Provide expert political and human rights analysis to inform the strategic direction of the entire regional office, ensuring that resources are allocated to the most critical and timely issues.
- Monitor the political and human rights landscape to identify emerging crises and opportunities for strategic intervention, adapting plans dynamically in response to a rapidly changing environment.
2. Human Rights Research, Investigation, and Analysis
- Conduct continuous monitoring, research, and investigation into human rights developments across assigned countries, utilizing a wide range of sources including victim testimonies, legal documents, open-source intelligence (OSINT), and government data.
- Provide timely, accurate, independent, and impartial expert assessments on the human rights situation for internal and external stakeholders, including the media, UN bodies, and governmental agencies.
- Plan, organize, and lead field research missions, often in high-risk or complex environments, to gather firsthand information, conduct fact-finding, and document human rights abuses with precision and methodological rigor.
3. Authoritative Reporting and Communication
- Author in-depth reports, briefing papers, press releases, and other public documents that meet the highest standards of accuracy, clarity, and legal soundness, establishing Amnesty International’s position on key issues.
- Contribute expert advice and review written materials produced by other programs within Amnesty International to ensure consistency, accuracy, and strategic alignment on issues related to West Africa.
- Tailor complex research findings for a variety of audiences, including through digital channels, to maximize the reach and impact of the organization’s work.
4. Representation and Advocacy
- Represent Amnesty International publicly and privately, including with national governments, inter-governmental organizations (such as the UN and ECOWAS), media outlets, and other stakeholders.
- Act as a media spokesperson on human rights developments in the region, conducting interviews and providing expert commentary to broadcast and print media.
- Engage in advocacy and lobbying activities to directly influence policy changes based on the evidence gathered through research.
Amnesty International is Hiring a West Africa Researcher for Anglophone Countries with a €69,826 Salary
Qualifications
Education and Certification
- While a specific degree is not listed, an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Law, International Relations, Political Science, Journalism, Human Rights, or a related field is typically expected for a senior researcher role of this nature.
- Professional certifications in areas such as international human rights law, humanitarian law, open-source investigation (OSINT), or security training for high-risk environments are highly desirable.
Experience
Required Experience:
- Proven and substantial professional experience in conducting research and investigations on human rights or closely related issues.
- Specialist knowledge and, preferably, first-hand lived or professional experience of relevant countries in the West Africa region.
- An in-depth, nuanced understanding of the key human rights concerns, as well as the political, social, legal, economic, cultural, ethnic, racial, and gender issues within these countries.
- A demonstrated track record of writing high-quality research materials (such as reports, briefings, or in-depth articles) for a variety of audiences.
- Experience in exercising sound political judgment, conducting thorough analysis, and utilizing diplomacy to develop effective strategies aimed at creating human rights impact.
Desired Experience:
- Direct experience in organizing and leading field research missions in complex or insecure environments.
- Previous work experience with a leading international NGO, a United Nations agency, or a similar human rights organization.
- Experience in public speaking, media engagement, and acting as a spokesperson.
Additional Information
Language Requirements:
- Full professional fluency in both English and French is mandatory. The candidate must be able to understand and express complex ideas fluently, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing, in both languages. This includes the ability to draft official reports and engage in high-level advocacy in either language.
Contract & Compensation Details:
- Type of Contract: Permanent
- Work Schedule: 35 hours per week.
- Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal.
- Salary: The annual salary for this position is €69,826.
- Benefits: Amnesty International offers a comprehensive benefits package including 37 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays), a pension scheme, an employee assistance program, life assurance, and other benefits tailored to support a professional lifestyle. For full details, please visit the official Amnesty International careers website.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
Amnesty International is deeply committed to building a fair, inclusive, and equitable world and applies this principle to its own workforce. The organization is on a journey to become an anti-racist institution and strongly welcomes applications from suitably qualified individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups, LGBTQI+ individuals, and people living with disabilities. They are dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates must apply through the official Amnesty International recruitment portal by clicking ‘Apply for this Role’ on the original vacancy page. The application deadline is 9 November 2025, at 23:59 UK time.
Selection Process:
Amnesty International reserves the right to close a vacancy before the closing date in the event of an overwhelming response or a shift in business priorities. Therefore, it is highly recommended that interested candidates apply as soon as possible.
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