Freedom Tech Research & Editorial Specialist

About the Human Rights Foundation

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies. HRF unites people in the common cause of defending human rights and promoting liberal democracy. Our mission is to ensure that freedom is preserved and promoted worldwide, with a particular focus on sustaining the struggle for liberty in those areas where it is most under threat.

HRF produces the Oslo Freedom Forum, an annual human rights conference in Norway. For more information on HRF and its work, please visit www.hrf.org. To learn more about the Oslo Freedom Forum, please visit www.oslofreedomforum.com.

Position Summary

The Research & Editorial Lead for the Freedom Tech program will lead HRF’s research and editorial output at the intersection of human rights and emerging technologies. This role is responsible for producing rigorous, accessible research on how technologies such as Bitcoin and AI are used both to repress and to resist authoritarian control and translating that work into high-impact editorial content across HRF platforms. The role also focuses on ensuring this research reaches human rights defenders, journalists, policy think tanks, and other key audiences.

This position combines deep research, sharp editorial judgment, and close cross-functional collaboration with policy, communications, design, and development teams. The ideal candidate is a strong researcher and writer-editor who thrives in fast-moving, mission-driven environments and brings the project management skills needed to keep complex, multi-stakeholder content projects on track.

Responsibilities and Expectations

Specific duties include, but may not be limited to:

Research:

• Conduct quarterly research on topics at the intersection of human rights within authoritarian regimes and Freedom Tech. Topics include financial repression, technical reports on Bitcoin, Bitcoin adoption, AI for repression, and more. (Topics are collaboratively determined between the Bitcoin Development Fund team, Director of Financial Freedom, and the Chief Strategy Officer).
• Gather, verify, and synthesize information from academic papers, policy analyses, interviews, and other relevant media sources.
• Draft, fact-check, edit copy, and work closely with our Freedom Tech, Editor, and Policy teams to ensure reports meet HRF guidelines.
• Source relevant images and collaborate with the design team to bring research reports and publications to life. Ensure that layout, graphics, and data visualization strengthen the report’s storytelling.
• Produce concise research briefs, background summaries, and talking points for newsletters, blogs, events, reports, and media opportunities.
• Partner with our Press Officer to ensure reports land with the right journalists and media outlets and generate coverage from the publications that matter. Provide support to journalists as needed.
• Track global trends in Freedom Tech and share timely insights with the wider Freedom Tech team.

Editorial:

• Maintain the editorial calendar with the Freedom Tech Content Director and support content development from draft to publication.
• Edit and proofread Freedom Tech emails, press releases, event programs, video scripts, newsletters, web copy, and other content collateral for clarity, accuracy, and tone.
• Uphold HRF’s editorial style guide and maintain consistency across platforms.
• Manage editorial workflows, timelines, and approvals to keep content projects on schedule.
• Provide constructive feedback to Freedom Tech writers to improve style, clarity, impact, and productivity.
• Offer guidance on industry trends and news to inform research and improve writing for our writers.
• Ensure all materials are factually sound, engaging, and aligned with HRF’s mission.
• Ensure written materials meet SEO and accessibility standards in partnership with the digital team.
• Contribute to the development of protocols for fact-checking and source verification.
• Partner with Communications & Marketing, Design, Policy, and Development teams, as well as external partners, to streamline processes, deliver high-quality content with wider reach.
• Monitor content performance and use insights to refine strategy.

Key Skills and Qualifications

• Strong background in research, journalism, or policy analysis. Ideally with experience in human rights, open-source tech, and emerging technologies.
• Particular familiarity with Bitcoin, AI ethics, privacy, digital security, etc.
• Excellent writing, editing, and organizational skills.
• Ability to distill complex ideas into clear and compelling narratives.
• Comfortable managing multiple projects and deadlines and working within a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative, curious, and detail-oriented.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $80,000 – $90,000 per year, commensurate with experience. We offer a generous benefits package that includes fully covered medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; a flexible PTO plan and comprehensive company-paid holiday schedule; and many other voluntary benefits. This role follows a hybrid workplace schedule with three in-office days and two remote days per week for candidates based in New York.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through our Careers page at https://hrf.org/work.

We offer a generous benefits package that includes fully covered medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; a flexible PTO plan and comprehensive company-paid holiday schedule; and many other voluntary benefits. This role follows a hybrid workplace schedule with three in-office days and two remote days per week for candidates based in New York.