Operations Administrator

FIXED-TERM, FULL-TIME JOB VACANCY

OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

Operations Department

Berlin Office

Application Deadline: 25th May 2025

The Operations Department of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is applicants for the position of Operations Administrator to provide day-to-day support in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of HRW’s Berlin office. This is a one-year fixed-term, full-time position at 40 hours per week for parental leave coverage. This position is based in the Berlin, and reports to the Director for European Financial Operations, based in Geneva, Switzerland.

The successful candidate may have the option to work remote but will be expected to work from the office about 2-3 days a week.

Responsibilities:

Finance

1. Act as the local Finance representative and assist with the implementation of Finance policies locally;
2. Manage the bank accounts and cash flows;
3. Assist the Financial Operations Director for Europe in establishing and monitoring the office budget;
4. Record all monthly financial activity into the organization’s financial system;
5. Process financial transactions, including payroll, pensions, monthly bill payments, expense reimbursements and disbursements;
6. Run internal and external financial reports;
7. Process and track expenditures and revenue transactions;
8. Process, track, and file inter-company transfers;
9. Work with financial service vendors such as auditors, accountants and governmental tax offices; and
10. Handle issues in relation to HRW’s legal status, registrations and related requirements.

Legal/Governance

1. Assist the Financial Operations Director for Europe with handling issues in relation to HRW’s legal and charitable status;
2. Work with the Financial Operations Director for Europe 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 etc.;
3. Plan, organize and coordinate Board meetings of the German Association, 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; and
5. Work in coordination with the Financial Operations Director for Europe and Finance to prepare inter-company transfers, and payment schedules.

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, pensions, health benefits and insurance;
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 and,
10. Liaise and collaborate with the Works Council on office-related topics and employee matters ensuring compliance with applicable labor regulations

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. Coordinate office social events and related logistics;
7. Maintain office security and protocols; and
8. 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 and
2. Liaise with IT or local phone service and internet provider to troubleshoot phone and internet problems.

Other

1. Travel occasionally, as required; and
2. Carry out other duties as necessary.

Qualifications:

Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent training in finance, accounting, bookkeeping, business administration or office management, nonprofit management, human resources 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. Strong organizational, administrative, analytical, and financial skills are required.
2. Strong 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 German are required; proficiency in additional languages is highly desirable.
6. Proficiency in computer packages including MS Office applications is required.
7. Good judgment, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality are essential.
8. Experience with finance, human resources or development databases is desirable.

Other: Applicants for this position must possess current German work authorization.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. The salary range for this position if based in Germany is EU 54,000 – 59,000 plus benefits.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by 18th May 2025 by visiting our online job portal at https://careers.hrw.org and attaching a letter of interest and resume/CV. 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.

If you would like to disclose a severe disability or equivalent under § 2 of the German Social Code Book IX please do so in your English-language cover letter. This information is provided voluntarily and is used solely to consider statutory obligations and support measures under SGB IX. Your data will be treated confidentially in accordance with the GDPR and the German Federal Data Protection Act. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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.