Director, Information Technology Operations At Human Rights Watch

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
Director, Information Technology Operations
Operations Department
Multiple Locations Considered
Application Deadline: July 31, 2024

Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of Information Technology Operations (IT Ops) to lead our IT operations team. This role is critical in ensuring the reliability, security, and efficiency of our IT infrastructure, systems, and services. The Director of IT Ops will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of IT services that enable HRW to advance human rights worldwide by investigating wrongs, exposing facts, offering solutions, and challenging those in power to respect rights.

The position reports to the Chief Information Officer and will manage the IT teams responsible for network infrastructure, systems integration, client hardware and software, account management and controls, service desk and SharePoint administration. This role will develop solutions and methodologies to ensure the smooth functioning and continuous improvement of our IT systems, drive technical innovation, improve cost efficiency, and support HRW’s organizational growth.

The successful candidate may be based in any of HRW’s major offices or may work remotely and will preferably be based in a location that is in time zones UTC -1 through UTC +3. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment and onboarding of this position.

Responsibilities:

Strategy & Planning
1. In collaboration with the CIO formulate and deploy long-term strategic plans for acquiring, maintaining and enabling efficient and cost-effective information and communication technologies.
2. Manage IT department operational and strategic planning, including organizational requirements, project planning, and resource allocation.
3. In collaboration with the CIO, support the organization in making technology investment decisions that balance and prioritize current operational demands with longer-term strategic vision.
4. Develop and maintain technology guidance, roadmaps, principles, standards, policies and best practices.
Operational Management
1. Infrastructure Alignment: Ensure IT infrastructure and operations supports organizational processes, planning, and strategic vision.
2. Project Coordination: Define and communicate milestones, service level agreements, and resource allocation.
3. Budget Management: work with the CIO to develop and manage the IT department budget and optimize resource allocation to maximize efficiency and achieve cost-effectiveness.
4. Hardware/Software Oversight: Manage deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, and support of IT assets.
5. Technology Research: Direct research and implementation of new technology solutions.
6. User Services: Oversee helpdesk and technical support services.
7. Policy Development: Develop, implement and maintain IT policies, including security, disaster recovery, standards, procurement, and service management.
8. Vendor Management: Manage procurement processes and relationships with IT vendors and service providers to ensure high-quality service delivery, negotiate contracts and pricing to optimize value and minimize risks, and evaluate new technologies to support business objectives and drive innovation.
9. Emergency Response and Incident Management: In collaboration with the CIO and the director of Information Security, develop and implement plans for IT disaster recovery, ensuring rapid and effective response to incidents.
10. Communication: Maintain regular communication with senior leaders, department heads, and end users on IT activities.

Managerial Responsibilities:
1. Coach and mentor the IT department to ensure accomplishment of KPIs and other metrics, including, communicating clear expectations, clarifying reporting lines and timelines, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive feedback, and providing guidance on professional growth;
2. Building internal IT teams to help strengthen IT services across the organization.
3. Encourage team members to participate in any of the internal HRW task forces and staff bodies.
4. Consult closely and regularly with direct reports to ensure that the workload of the staff is manageable and monitor staff well-being as it pertains to stress and resilience issues and self-care;
5. Promote an inclusive, creative, and positive work environment including by soliciting diverse points of views, encouraging staff to participate in efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion, and proactively addressing bias, discrimination, microaggressions, etc.;
6. Model inclusive behavior and consistently adhere to HRW’s internal values;
7. Incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) values and initiatives into the division’s work; and

Qualifications:

Education: A level of education that when combined with your professional experience will adequately show you have the capability to lead information technology operations at Human Rights Watch. Candidates who have relevant academic degrees or security certifications are encouraged to apply, but this is a plus – not a requirement.

Experience: A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience with at least five years in a management role is required.

Required Skills and Knowledge:
1. Extensive experience in managing and/or directing IT operations.
2. Proven track record in IT infrastructure strategic planning, project management, and policy development.
3. Demonstrated technical knowledge of current network and client operating systems, cloud and on-prem infrastructure, hardware, protocols, and standards (e.g., Windows OS, O365, Azure, HP hardware).
4. Strong background in systems design and development, from organizational requirements analysis to day-to-day management.
5. Significant experience in developing organizational processes, managing staff, budgeting, and overseeing organizational operations.
6. Proficiency in IT service management frameworks and best practices (e.g., ITIL) for effective service delivery and support.
7. Experience managing a diverse team of up to 50 staff working remotely across the globe.
8. Ability to present ideas in organization-friendly and user-friendly language.
9. Highly self-motivated, self-directed, and attentive to detail.
10. Extensive experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
11. Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills in English.
12. Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations related to IT.

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Understanding of performance monitoring and optimization techniques to ensure the reliability and efficiency of IT systems.
2. Strong leadership and management skills to lead a team of IT professionals and drive strategic initiatives.
3. Experience in the human rights sector
4. Understanding of working with staff in high-risk security contexts

Other: Occasional travel to HRW’s major offices in Europe and the United States will be required.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. HRW offers a relocation assistance package and will assist employees in obtaining necessary work authorization, if required; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. If based in the United States, the salary range for this position will be USD 150,000 – USD 165,000.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds based anywhere to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio-economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in-depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high-profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights-related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.