The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) Hiring Egypt Researcher ( Remotely)

About the Organisation

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) was established in 1993 as a regional NGO dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights. Its mission is to strengthen the human rights movement within the Arab region. For almost over 30 years, CIHRS has played a unique and central role in identifying and responding to the challenges and needs of this movement and helping to shape its development. CIHRS enjoys consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC and observer status with the African Commission for Human and Peoples’ Rights. CIHRS has received numerous awards for its work, including the French Republic Award for Human Rights in December 2007, and an award from the Library of Alexandria (2010).

About the Role

JOB PURPOSE:

The Egypt Researcher is responsible for developing and implementing a programme of research, network-building and advocacy aimed at advancing human rights in Egypt. The work should take into account both the impact of Egypt’s foreign policy on neighbouring countries and the influence of regional and global powers on the human rights situation within Egypt.

A central responsibility for this role is to identify, analyse, document and report on major trends and patterns of human rights violations in Egypt, as well as the political, legal, institutional and social conditions that enable them.

The researcher is expected to build and maintain strong relationships with Egyptian human rights activists, organisations and other relevant stakeholders, and to develop opportunities for collaboration with CIHRS around shared research and advocacy objectives. In coordination with CIHRS advocacy colleagues and relevant partners, the researcher contributes, as needed, to advocacy efforts targeting international organisations and influential governments.

The researcher serves as CIHRS in-house expert on the political, legal and social contexts shaping human rights conditions in Egypt and works closely with the CIHRS Egypt representative to coordinate actions and harmonize strategies.

While this position will have primary responsibility for developing a research programme for Egypt, all researchers are expected to be flexible and able to respond to human rights developments in the Arab region according to expertise, availability, and need.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Researcher carries out research on human rights conditions, outreach to local, independent civil society organisations and coordination with colleagues in other human rights organisations focused on similar issues. The Researcher works with a growing team of researchers in the research unit, as well as with a larger team of programme and CIHRS staff located in multiple countries.  The Researcher assists with the efforts of partner organisations and human rights activists from the Arab region and around the world to carry out national, regional, and global human rights advocacy campaigns and initiatives in relation to Egypt.

Responsibilities

Tasks and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Monitor and analyse political, legal, social, economic and security developments affecting human rights in Egypt, placing individual cases and patterns of violations within their broader context.
• Design and conduct research on priority human rights issues, and produce timely, accurate and compelling outputs—including reports, briefing papers, commentaries, press releases and reactive statements—that present key findings, identify patterns of abuse and make actionable policy recommendations.
• Keep CIHRS management, programme and advocacy teams informed of significant developments and policy debates concerning Egypt, and help ensure that these developments are adequately reflected in CIHRS’s publications, strategies and advocacy priorities.
• Develop policy proposals and advocacy initiatives addressing both specific human rights violations and the political, legal and institutional conditions that enable them.
• In coordination with CIHRS advocacy colleagues and partners, pursue agreed advocacy objectives with the United Nations, the European Union, influential governments and other relevant international and regional actors.
• Present CIHRS’s human rights concerns and recommendations to government officials, political actors, intergovernmental organisations, civil society representatives, opinion leaders, where appropriate.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Egyptian and international human rights organisations, activists and other relevant stakeholders, and consult regularly with partners to develop coordinated national and international research and advocacy strategies that complement and strengthen their work.
• Develop and maintain relationships with journalists and media outlets, respond to media enquiries and contribute to media outreach aimed at increasing the visibility and impact of CIHRS’s work on Egypt.
• Represent CIHRS at high-level meetings, conferences, strategic consultations, public events and training sessions, and travel internationally as required for research and advocacy.
• Participate in organisational and programme meetings and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of CIHRS’s objectives, plans and strategies concerning Egypt.
• Collaborate with the Egypt Campaigner, including participating in overseeing their work, supporting their professional development and helping ensure their safety and well-being.
• Contribute, in consultation with the Research director and according to expertise and availability, to CIHRS’s regional research and advocacy priorities.
• Support the Programmes Development Unit in fundraising activities, including by contributing substantive input to funding proposals and reports.

• Assist CIHRS’ Programme Development Unit by sharing updates and reporting on work on a quarterly basis
• Perform other related duties as required.

About the Candidate

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in a relevant social science, legal or humanities field, post-graduate master’s degree preferred. Time in a relevant role will also be taken into consideration in lieu of a post-graduate degree.
• Languages: excellent written and spoken command of both Arabic and English.

The successful candidate will have:

• Minimum 3 years (full-time) working experience in the human rights field on the Arab region. Research and documentation on Egypt would be an asset.
• Strong understanding of international politics and international human rights standards and mechanisms.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English.
• Ability to produce quality written material under tight deadlines.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to formulate and carry out successful human rights advocacy campaigns.
• Demonstrated commitment to universal human rights.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, work well under pressure and adapt to emerging issues and changing priorities. Punctual missions or events requiring the presence of the Researcher may happen during weekends.
• The ability to work both as part of a team and to be individually motivated and organized.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Willingness to take on new and challenging tasks and goals.

Commitment to Equality

CIHRS is committed to ensuring equality and non-discrimination on grounds of sex, race, religion, or belief in its hiring process. CIHRS is a multicultural environment that celebrates diversity. All employees are expected to promote and act in a manner that ensures a non-discriminatory, open, and sensitive approach to others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Benefits

Paid vacation allowance of 20 days per year plus national holidays, sick leave allowance according to CIHRS internal policies. Compensation days if required to work outside of contracted hours.

Application Deadline: 15 October 2026

How to Apply

All applicants must submit the following documents by the midnight (CET) of : 15 October 2026

• Updated CV including details of language skills.
• Cover letter; responding to the above criteria.
• Publication sample, if available.

Applications should be submitted to recruitments@cihrs.org with subject title “Egypt Researcher”.

NOTE

Only applicants who have been shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.