Officer, Operations

FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY
(40 hours per week)
Officer, Operations
Operations Department
Stockholm Office
Application Deadline: 29 March 2026

The Operations Department of Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) is seeking an Operations Officer to provide day-to-day support in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of HRW’s Stockholm and Copenhagen offices and the HRW Norwegian Foundation. The position reports to the Associate Director, Operations, based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This position is part of a global team of 18 employees that support the operations and finances of HRW’s non-US entities and offices. This role must be based within commuting distance of HRW’s Stockholm Office and must work from the office at least 3 days per week.

Responsibilities:

Finance

1. Act as the local Finance representative and assist with the implementation of Finance policies locally;
2. Answer and assist staff with finance queries;
3. Manage the bank accounts and cash flows for the Scandinavian (Sweden and Denmark) and Norway Foundations in support of HRW;
4. Assist supervisor in establishing and monitoring the Denmark and Stockholm offices budgets;
5. Record all financial activity into the organization’s financial system;
6. Process financial transactions, including payroll, taxes, pensions, bill payments, expense reimbursements and disbursements;
7. Run internal and external financial reports;
8. Process and track expenditures and revenue transactions;
9. Process, track, and file inter-company transfers;
10. Assist actively in preparing accounts analysis, soft closures, quarterly closes and year-end closes;
11. Work with financial service vendors such as auditors, accountants and governmental tax offices;
12. Plan, prepare and coordinate with relevant stakeholders the annual external audit of the Scandinavian and Norway foundations as well as the annual report of the foundation.
13. Work with the Reporting Accountant in completing local tax requirements;
14. Assist the Associate Director in handling issues in relation to the Scandinavian foundation legal charitable status, registrations and related requirements both in Stockholm and Copenhagen;

Legal/Governance

1. Assist supervisor with handling issues in relation to HRW’s legal, branch and charitable status;
2. Work with supervisor to ensure compliance with local laws, and liaise with general counsel on issues related to corporate and governance laws, labor laws, charity, health and safety laws;
3. Plan, organize and coordinate Board meetings of the Scandinavian and Norway foundations, liaise with board members, prepare and distribute all necessary documents, take minutes, and carry out other administrative duties related to Boards coordination;
4. Ensure all entity information is updated on HRW’s entities database;
5. Prepare meetings and documents for Scandinavian foundation in liaison with supervisor.
6. Ensure local reporting requirements are met, such as to Giva Sverige and Svensk Insamlingskontroll.

Human Resources

1. Act as the local HR representative and assist with the implementation of HR policies locally;
2. Respond to staff on general HR queries;
3. Maintain a good understanding and working knowledge of and compliance with local employment laws;
4. Assist with the recruitment, on-boarding and departure of local staff, fellows, consultants and interns;
5. Administer and process local employee payroll through an external provider, pensions, health benefits and insurances;
6. Liaise and assist HR staff in headquarters with legal and HR audit issues locally;
7. Liaise with local government offices, insurance and pension providers and other HR service providers;
8. Research and assist with immigration, visas and relocation of employees;
9. Maintain a unified filing system and attendance management database;

Facilities Administration

1. Maintain the smooth and effective functioning of the office;
2. Handle general office maintenance and facilities issues;
3. Liaise with the landlord on issues relating to the premises;
4. Engage suppliers and providers and negotiate commercial and services contracts in a cost-effective manner;
5. Answer general post, email and telephone enquiries;
6. Oversee office moves, configuration and space sourcing  
7. Coordinate office social events and related logistics;
8. Maintain office security and protocols;
9. Ensure office safety standards are in compliance with local regulations;

Information Technology

1. Liaise with IT/helpdesk to troubleshoot computer problems and back up and update network files as necessary;
2. Liaise with IT or local phone service and internet provider to troubleshoot phone and internet problems; and
3. Carry out other duties as necessary.

Qualifications: 

Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/work experience in business administration, nonprofit management, human resources, international relations, or a related field is required.

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of operations or administrative experience, preferably in a global organization, is required. Experience in accounting, bookkeeping, nonprofit management, and/or human resources is highly desirable.

Related Skills and Knowledge:  

1. Excellent organizational, administrative, analytical, and financial skills are required.
2. Excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail are required.
3. Self-motivation and the ability to take initiative, prioritize with minimal supervision, problem solve, and work independently as well as function as a member of a team with staff in multiple locations globally are required.
4. Ability to work well under pressure while juggling multiple tasks simultaneously and working effectively toward deadlines is required.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Swedish are required; proficiency in additional languages is welcome and basic understanding of other Scandinavian languages is desired.
6. Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications is required.
7. Good judgment, discretion, and the ability to maintain confidentiality are essential.

Other:  Applicants for this position must possess valid Swedish work authorization.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. The salary range for this position is SEK 542,000 – 596,000. 

How to Apply: Please apply immediately by visiting our online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a letter of interest and resume/CV in English please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission, or if you require accommodations during the application process, please email recruitment@hrw.org. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds 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.