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Human Rights Advocacy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

CAIR San Diego

Civil Rights Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

... and human rights of the American Muslim community at a time when those rights are increasingly under threat. This role offers a powerful opportunity to engage in impactful civil rights advocacy ...

Center for Reproductive Rights

Staff Attorney (NY)

NY · On-site

$119K/yr

Our 270+ diverse professionals are committed to advancing the Center's human rights mission through game-changing litigation, legal policy, and advocacy work. This has powered the Center ...

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How much do human rights advocacy jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for human rights advocacy in the United States is $25.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.43 and $28.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do human right activists make?

Human rights activists' salaries vary widely depending on experience, location, and organization. Entry-level positions may start around $30,000 annually, while experienced professionals working for large NGOs or international agencies can earn over $70,000 or more per year.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

In human rights advocacy, most roles require relevant education or experience, but some related positions like freelance consultants, grant writers, or project managers can earn around $10,000 monthly through contracts or commissions. High earnings often depend on experience, reputation, and the scope of projects, rather than formal degrees alone.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Human Rights Advocacy position, and why are they important?

To thrive in Human Rights Advocacy, a strong background in law, social sciences, or international relations, along with experience in research and policy analysis, is essential. Familiarity with case management systems, legal research tools, and certifications such as CIPP (Certified Information Privacy Professional) or relevant human rights courses can be beneficial. Exceptional interpersonal, cross-cultural communication, and negotiation skills help advocates build trust and mobilize support across diverse groups. These abilities are crucial for effectively promoting human rights, influencing policy, and supporting vulnerable populations in complex environments.

How do you become a human rights advocate?

To become a human rights advocate, individuals typically pursue a relevant degree such as political science, law, or international relations, and gain experience through internships or volunteer work with organizations focused on human rights. Developing skills in research, communication, and advocacy, along with understanding international laws and policies, is essential. Building a network within the field and staying informed about current issues also support a career in human rights advocacy.

What are some typical challenges faced in a Human Rights Advocacy role?

Professionals in Human Rights Advocacy often face challenges such as navigating complex legal frameworks, managing sensitive information, and confronting emotionally charged cases involving vulnerable populations. They may encounter resistance from institutions or communities, which requires resilience and strategic communication. Balancing advocacy, research, and public outreach is a regular part of the job, and collaborating with legal teams, NGOs, and government agencies is common to create impactful change. While challenging, the role offers significant personal and professional growth for individuals passionate about justice and human rights.

What jobs can I get with a human rights degree?

A human rights degree can lead to careers such as human rights advocate, policy analyst, nonprofit program coordinator, or international development officer. These roles often require strong research, communication, and advocacy skills, and may involve working for NGOs, government agencies, or international organizations.

What is a Human Rights Advocacy job?

A Human Rights Advocacy job involves promoting, protecting, and defending human rights through research, policy development, public awareness, and direct support for affected individuals or communities. Advocates work for NGOs, government agencies, or international organizations to address issues like discrimination, inequality, and human rights violations. Responsibilities may include lobbying for policy changes, conducting investigations, writing reports, and providing legal or humanitarian aid. The role requires strong communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills to influence decision-makers and drive social change.

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What cities are hiring for Human Rights Advocacy jobs? Cities with the most Human Rights Advocacy job openings:
What states have the most Human Rights Advocacy jobs? States with the most job openings for Human Rights Advocacy jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Human Rights Advocacy jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Human Rights Advocacy jobs are:
Human Rights Advocacy jobs near you
Infographic showing various Human Rights Advocacy job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 5% Temporary, and 21% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,005 per year, or $26 per hour.

Civil Rights Attorney

CAIR San Diego

San Diego, CA • On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 hours ago

Job description

Title: Civil Rights Attorney
Work Location: San Diego, CA
Term: Full-time, occasional evening and weekends required.
Position Status: Exempt
Pay Range: $80,000 - $95,000/year commensurate with skills and experience
Reports to: Executive Director
Generous Benefits: 100% employer-paid medical and dental insurance for employees & dependents, 401(k) plan with an employer match, 12 vacation days, 10 sick days and 12 holidays. Budget for legal association membership fee, bar license renewal fee, CLE funding support, and malpractice insurance. Temporary hybrid work schedule, with three days in-person and two days remote.
About Us: Join the largest American Muslim civil rights organization at the frontlines in protecting the rights of free speech, freely practicing one's faith, pursuing employment opportunities without harassment, and living as an active and engaged American without reprisal. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, California (CAIR-CA) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) grassroots civil rights and advocacy group. We recognize that our employees are passionate and talented and are our most valuable resource. With an important vision to be a leading advocate for justice and mutual understanding, our diverse workforce stands together to demonstrate our values for everyone who joins the efforts.
About the Role: CAIR-CA is seeking a dedicated attorney to advance and defend the civil and human rights of the American Muslim community at a time when those rights are increasingly under threat. This role offers a powerful opportunity to engage in impactful civil rights advocacy-working directly with community members, challenging systemic discrimination, and helping shape legal strategies that promote justice, safety, and dignity.
The attorney in this role will support individuals and families navigating discrimination, harassment, and civil liberties violations, while also contributing to broader legal and grassroots efforts that address patterns of misconduct and inequity. Success in this position requires sound legal judgment and a strong commitment to public interest law in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
This role is ideal for an attorney who is motivated by impact, values collaboration, and is seeking meaningful work that extends beyond individual cases to create lasting change.
Practice Areas: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties (Religious Freedom), Employment, National Security & Law Enforcement Practices, Public Accommodations, Prisoners' Rights, School Issues, Hate Crimes/Incidents, etc.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Review and investigate an array of legal claims brought by an incredibly diverse community.
  • Conduct intakes of legal claims as necessary through effective communication with members of the community.
  • Manage a considerable caseload (our attorneys currently manage approximately 200+ intakes each per year)
  • Provide assistance on assigned litigation efforts, including preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs.
  • Depending on experience, identify, develop, lead, and manage assigned litigation efforts, including preparing pleadings, motions, and briefs.
  • Perform in-depth legal research.
  • Legal writing including, but not limited to, drafting complaints, discovery, briefs, letters, and memos; and non-legal writing, including drafting community advisories, issuing briefings, and reports
  • Communicate with outside parties such as attorneys, employers, law enforcement agents, administrative agencies, media contacts, etc.
  • Work to educate and empower community members on their rights through community presentations and material distributions.
  • Prepare and assist in CAIR-California reports.
  • Travel for outreach, including participating in community events and coalition meetings
  • All CAIR staff are required to assist in general duties such as answering phones, weekly outreach, fundraising, and other office tasks as required

QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Law degree from an American Bar Association-accredited school
  • California State Bar admission
  • 1-3+ years of experience advocating for, representing, and/or litigating on behalf of clients in areas such as employment law, religious discrimination, public accommodation, denial of benefits by governmental and private actors in courts and administrative agencies
  • Strong time management skills with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines
  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail
  • Comfort working productively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking experience
  • Experience working with people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
  • Access to a working vehicle and the ability to drive throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area
  • High degree of self-motivation and creativity
  • A strong commitment to civil rights and CAIR's mission
  • Basic computer proficiency including knowledge of MS Office, and MS Outlook
  • Knowledge of cloud applications such as SharePoint, Office365, WestLaw Next, Lexis Nexis and social media applications (preferred)
  • Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, or Urdu (preferred but not required)

TO APPLY: Submit a cover letter, resume with writing sample and 3 professional references.
Equal Employment Opportunity: CAIR-CA is an equal-opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.

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