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Human Rights Advocate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Colonial Behavioral Health

$21.63/hr

Serve as a Human Rights Advocate for individuals receiving services. Collaborate with staff and departments to promote a culture of quality, accountability, and continuous improvement. Perform other ...

Youth Advocate Programs

Advocate

Roanoke, VA · On-site

$19/hr

Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Services, or related field is preferred. * Minimum of ... For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Angelic Place LLC

Be Seen First

Program Manager

Fredericksburg, VA · On-site

$48K - $60K/yr

... Advocate human rights and the right to the least restrictive environment. 8. Perform other duties as required. 9. Serve as primary liaison with providers, other agencies, individuals, and related ...

U.S Comm for Refuge

Law Student Intern

Arlington, VA · On-site

The successful candidate must be committed to immigration and human rights issues and be able to conduct advocacy, education, and other outreach activities. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ...

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How much do human rights advocate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for human rights advocate in Virginia is $21.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a human rights advocate?

Human rights advocates are professionals or activists who work to promote and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals and groups. They may operate locally, nationally, or internationally, raising awareness about human rights issues, lobbying for legislative change, and supporting victims of abuses. Their work often involves research, public education, policy analysis, and direct advocacy with governments, organizations, or communities. Human rights advocates can work for non-governmental organizations (NGOs), international bodies, or as independent activists.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a human rights advocate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Human Rights Advocate, you need a solid understanding of human rights law, research skills, and often a background in law, social sciences, or international relations. Familiarity with legal research databases, advocacy tools, and data management systems is typically required, and certifications in human rights or related fields are advantageous. Outstanding communication, cultural sensitivity, and resilience help you effectively engage with diverse communities and stakeholders. These skills and qualities are crucial for influencing policy, raising awareness, and protecting the rights of vulnerable populations.

What are some common challenges human rights advocates face when working with at-risk communities?

Human Rights Advocates often encounter challenges such as building trust with at-risk communities who may be wary of outsiders or fear repercussions for speaking out. Navigating complex legal and cultural landscapes, managing emotional stress from exposure to difficult situations, and balancing advocacy with the need for objectivity can also be demanding. Successful advocates focus on active listening, cultural sensitivity, and collaboration with local organizations to overcome these obstacles and create meaningful change.

What is the difference between Human Rights Advocate vs Social Worker?

AspectHuman Rights AdvocateSocial Worker
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's or master's in human rights, law, or related fieldsRequires a bachelor's or master's in social work or related disciplines
Work EnvironmentNonprofit organizations, international agencies, legal settingsHospitals, schools, community agencies, government offices
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, NGOs, government agencies focused on human rightsPublic and private social service agencies
Search & Comparison IntentOften compared for advocacy roles, policy work, legal advocacyCompared for direct client support, case management, community services

While both roles aim to improve well-being and justice, Human Rights Advocates focus on policy, legal advocacy, and systemic change at a broader level, whereas Social Workers provide direct support and services to individuals and communities. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and job expectations in the social justice field.

How do you become a human rights advocate?

To become a human rights advocate, individuals typically pursue a bachelor's degree in fields like human rights, law, or social sciences, and gain experience through internships or volunteer work with organizations focused on human rights issues. Developing strong communication, research, and advocacy skills is essential, and some roles may require advanced degrees or specialized certifications. Building a network within human rights communities and staying informed about relevant legal and social issues also support career development.

What jobs can I get with a human rights advocate degree?

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

What are popular job titles related to Human Rights Advocate jobs in Virginia?

For Human Rights Advocate jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Human Rights Advocate jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Human Rights Advocate jobs in Virginia are:

Human Rights Advocate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Human Rights Advocate job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,671 per year, or $21.5 per hour.

Assistant General Counsel, Sustainability Human Rights & Supply Chain Due Diligence

Mclean, VA

Mars

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

126th of 443 rated food and drinks producers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Paid breaks

Learn more about Marsexternal

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Job Description:

Job Description

We believe the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today, which is the vision at the heart of Mars' Sustainable in a Generation Plan, one where the planet is healthy, people and pets are thriving, and society is inclusive.

The Assistant General Counsel, Sustainability (Human Rights & Supply Chain Due Diligence) will play a senior role on the enterprise-level Sustainability Legal team at Mars, Inc. This role serves as the global legal lead for business and human rights and supply chain due diligence within Mars.

This is a high-visibility role in a small headquarters team. The role acts as a subject-matter lead within the enterprise Sustainability Legal framework, setting legal strategy, guardrails, governance approaches, and escalation protocols for human-rights-related risks and regulations. The successful candidate will be a senior, independent lawyer who can influence without authority, build trust across a complex global organization, and provide clear, practical advice in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment.

Whatwill beyour key responsibilities?

  • Providesenior legal advice on global business and human rights, responsible sourcing, and supply chain due diligence issues affecting Mars across segments, regions, and functions.
  • Lead enterprise legal strategy for human-rights and supply-chain-due-diligence-related regulations and legal risks, including enterprise interpretation, legal guardrails, governance frameworks, and escalation protocols.
  • Serve as thesubject-matterlead for human rights within Mars' enterprise Sustainability Legal framework and help shape a One-Mars legal approach in this area.
  • Lead or support legal workstreams relating to material sustainability regulations in the role's subject-matter area, including the CSRD, CS3D, LkSG, EUDR, FLR and other forced labor and responsible sourcing regulations and related emerging global developments.
  • Support high-risk issues, investigations, and escalations relating to business and human rights, responsible sourcing, and supply chain due diligence matters.
  • Develop, sponsor, or oversee practical legal guidance, policies, playbooks, templates, training, and governance tools in the role's subject-matter area, working closely with other Sustainability Legal team members to support scalable implementation across segments and regions.
  • Partner closely with segment and regional legal teams to align on enterprise legal positions, promote consistent application of human rights legal standards and due diligence requirements, and enable local operationalization without displacing segment or regional ownership.
  • Act as a trusted connector among Legal, Sustainability, Procurement, Finance, and Corporate and Public Affairs at the corporate, segment, and regional levels to promote consistent, practical, and risk-balanced legal approaches across Mars.
  • Advise Public Affairs and other corporate stakeholders on legal considerations arising from sustainability-related policy development, advocacy positions, external engagement, and participation in industry or multistakeholder forums where human rights or supply chain due diligence issues are implicated.
  • Support legal trend analysis and regulatory insights for emerging business and human rights, responsible sourcing, and supply chain due diligence laws, enforcement trends, and stakeholder expectations.
  • Develop and deliver training and capacity-building for legal and business stakeholders on human rights and supply chainduediligence legal risk and compliance requirements.


What are we looking for?

  • Law degree from an accredited university in the U.S., EU, UK, or another relevantjurisdiction.
  • Licensed, admitted, or otherwise qualified to practice law in at least one relevantjurisdiction.
  • 12 to 15+ years of relevant legal experience, includingsignificant experienceadvising on business and human rights, responsible sourcing, supply chain due diligence, forced labor, sustainability compliance, or related regulatory matters.
  • Deep knowledge of business and human rights frameworks, emerging due diligence regulations, forced labor laws, responsible sourcing programs, and human rights risk management.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across adjacent sustainability legal topics, for example sustainability claims, deforestation, reporting, packaging, or other emerging regulatory issues, as part of an integrated enterprise sustainability legal model.
  • Experience working in-house at a global organization preferred, particularly in a matrixed environment involving corporate, segment, regional, and functional stakeholders.
  • Experience handling sensitive, high-risk issues, investigations, or escalations involving human rights, responsible sourcing, or supply chain due diligence matters.
  • Familiarity with public policy development, advocacy, or external affairs processes, including experienceadvisingPublic Affairs, Government Relations or similar teams on legal and reputational considerations related to sustainability policy matters.
  • Strong judgment, communication, influencing, and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to provide practical, risk-balanced advice to senior legal and business leaders.
  • Demonstrated ability to build alignment across functions and geographies without relying solely on formal authority.
  • Ability toestablishand maintain clear role boundaries, clarify ownership across center, segment, and regional teams, and escalate issues appropriately while preserving collaborative relationships.

What can you expect from Mars?

  • Work with over 180,000 diverse and talented Associates, all guided by Mars' Five Principles.
  • Join a purpose-driven company that is striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
  • Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to Mars University.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 216,000.00 - USD 297,000.00Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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