Operations Administrator

FIXED-TERM PART-TIME JOB VACANCY
OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR
Operations Department
Amsterdam Office
Application Deadline: 1 March 2026

The Operations Department of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking applicants for the position of Operations Administrator to provide day-to-day support in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of HRWs Amsterdam office. This is a fixed-term part-time position at 32 hours per week for parental leave coverage from 28 April 2026 which will continue through 11 November 2026 This position is based in Amsterdam and reports to the Director for European Operations based in Geneva Switzerland.

The successful candidate must be based within commuting distance of the Amsterdam office and will be expected to work from the office at least 2-3 days a week. We aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible in both the recruitment for and onboarding of this position.

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;
4. Establish and monitor the Amsterdam office budget;
5. Record all monthly financial activity into the organizations financial system;
6. Process financial transactions including payroll pensions monthly bill payments expense reimbursements and disbursements;
7. Run internal and external financial reports;
8. Process and track expenditures and revenue transactions;
9. Actively assist in preparing accounts analysis soft closures quarterly closes and year-end closes;
10. Work with financial service vendors such as auditors accountants and governmental tax offices;
11. Plan prepare and coordinate the annual external audit with relevant stakeholders;
12. Work in coordination with the Director of European Operations and Finance to prepare inter-company transfers and payment schedules; and
13. Process track and file inter-company transfers.

Legal/Governance
1. Handle issues in relation to HRWs legal branch and charitable status;
2. 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. Ensure compliance with ANBI status requirements;
4. Plan organize and coordinate Board meetings of the Dutch foundation liaise with board members prepare and distribute all necessary documents take minutes and carry out other administrative duties related to Board coordination;
5. Ensure all entity information is updated on HRWs entities database;
6. Ensure that information in the Universal Beneficiary Owner (UBO) register and the Commercial register at de Kamer van Koophandel (KVK) are accurate; and
7. Collaborate with Development on the annual report and strategic plan.

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 local staff contracts extension terminations exit checklists and translations;
6. Administer and process local employee payroll pensions health benefits and insurance;
7. Assist with updating the local Employee handbook with changes in local laws;
8. Liaise and assist HR staff in headquarters with legal and HR audit issues locally;
9. Liaise with local government offices insurance and pension providers and other HR service providers;
10. Research and assist with immigration visas and relocation of employees; and
11. 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 and liaise with building support team when necessary;
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. Oversee office moves configuration and space sourcing;
6. Assist with travel arrangements and follow-up;
7. Answer general post email and telephone enquiries;
8. Coordinate office social events and related logistics;
9. Maintain office security and protocols; and
10. 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. Liaise with IT/helpdesk to order distribute and store IT devices;

Other
1. Carry out other duties as necessary.

Qualifications:

Education: A bachelors degree or equivalent training 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 enthusiasm 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 Dutch are required; proficiency in additional languages is welcome.
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 Dutch work authorization.

Salary and Benefits: HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer-paid benefits. The gross annualized salary range for this position is EURwhich will be prorated to EURto reflect the four working days per week schedule.

How to Apply: Please apply immediately or by 1 March 2026 by visiting our online job portal at and attaching a letter of interest and resume/CV. 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 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.