Safeguards and Human Rights Specialist

08-Oct-2026Safeguards and Human Rights SpecialistUnited StatesFull-Time GLOBAL CONSERVATION

Position: Safeguards and Human Rights Specialist

Reports to: Executive Director, Rights and Communities

Position Managed: None

Location: New York, Washington DC (EST), or Brazil and Colombia

Country Program/Sector: Rights and Communities

Scope: Global

Position Type: Full-time

Candidates outside United States will be considered under WCS local hiring package.

Job Summary:

WCS recognizes that nature and people are intrinsically linked, and that biological and cultural diversity are interdependent, mutually reinforcing and often co-evolved. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities frequently represent the most active defenders of nature. WCS participated in the development of a global report on the State of Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' Lands and Territories which highlights the crucial role played by them and concludes that global biodiversity goals are not attainable without their involvement. We believe that respecting and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities reflects our global commitment to equity and justice and is our best pathway to achieving durable conservation.

The Rights + Communities (R + C) program supports field teams to work effectively with communities in over 50 countries to Secure Rights, Exercise Rights, and Benefit from Rights. In doing so it is guided by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) adopted by the UN General Assembly and other international human rights instruments. WCS has developed a suite of human rights and safeguarding policies to further these instruments for the purpose of achieving effective conservation outcomes with Indigenous Peoples and local communities and meeting donor requirements. R + C is a dynamic and growing team that undertakes global initiatives and supports our field teams, country and regional teams, and thematic programs through a Human Rights Based Approach to Conservation and the application of Conservation Social Sciences to deliver equitable and just conservation outcomes.

The Safeguards and Human Rights Specialist will work closely with staff to ensure that WCS safeguards systems, practices, and tools are compliant with international human rights standards. The Specialist will support the delivery and integration of human rights expertise in thematic units, and regional teams including R + C staff and focal points.

Major Responsibilities:

Safeguards Coordination, Trainings, and Tool Development

• Participate in the Safeguards Management Team working groups on Human Rights in Law Enforcement, Indigenous Peoples, and Training to ensure human rights in conservation expertise is embedded in all guidance materials and the design and delivery of training for WCS global staff.
• Coordinate with Rights + Communities staff on the design and delivery of human rights training modules focused on human rights-based approaches to programming.
• Train and support R&C focal points in different capacities on human rights obligations.
• Support other field staff to deliver human rights trainings and integrate the human rights based-approach into trainings.
• Research, modify, and develop tools as needed for human rights impacts assessments, together with the Safeguards Implementation Specialist, cross-checking with existing materials.

Human Rights Advice, Due Diligence, and Assessments

• Serve as a specialist and resource person on human rights to WCS staff worldwide with a focus on the implementation of UNDRIP, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and other relevant international human rights instruments within conservation programming.
• Research and respond to questions from all staff regarding human rights, analysis of new publications, or other human rights related requests.
• Advise field staff, and conduct human rights assessments as needed, at the conceptual stage of project or program development and provide ongoing feedback or advice.
• Undertake human rights impact assessments and reviews during the implementation stage of human rights-based approaches to conservation programming.
• Undertake joint human rights and safeguards assessments of field program activities with Rights + Communities staff, including coordination on human rights questionnaires with the field and analyses at the site level.
• Collaborate with thematic units and regional teams, and the Director of Rights + Communities to track responses to human rights risks and any allegations of abuses, and provide ongoing advice as needed.

Compliance

• Review project and program proposals and processes, working with relevant units at WCS and country teams as requested, to ensure they are in line with international human rights standards and relevant WCS policies, and provide input as needed.
• Review existing or emerging WCS policies and guidance documents to ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
• Participate in investigations of suspected human rights issues as needed and upon request to the Executive Director from WCS General Counsel and Regional Directors.

Special Projects

• Support the Executive Director on special projects and initiatives as requested.

• Juris Doctor, LLB, master's degree in law, international human rights, international relations, public policy, or related disciplines in social sciences.

• A minimum of seven years of experience working in the international, regional, national, or local human rights sector and in the area of Indigenous Peoples' rights with a range of different constituents ranging from governments to civil society.

• Advanced knowledge of international human rights standards, mechanisms, and their application in national contexts of program design, and a strong understanding of issues affecting different marginalized or groups made vulnerable. Ability to work independently and with a team on multiple projects and prioritize as necessary.

• Effective interpersonal and communications skills especially writing and editing in English. Experience working with multicultural and multidisciplinary staff on human rights based approaches and human rights protection.

• A collaborative spirit and approach to addressing challenging problems with a keen interest in learning.

Additional Requirements

• Direct experience working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Knowledge of Indigenous or other local languages. Fluency in Spanish, or Portuguese with French being desirable.
• Implementation experience in conservation, development or humanitarian programs at site level.
• Experience in training adults and in conducting human rights trainings.
• A strong understanding of community organizing and rights to culture.
• Understanding of and experience in land rights, tenure, and human rights in market solutions.
• Educational qualifications or work experience in gender studies, community organizing or community advocacy.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.

It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person's membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.

Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate's individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.

$70,000-$86,500925560No5168399810.00.008-Oct-2026