Jobs & Internships
China Labor Watch
Current Opportunities
China Labor Watch (CLW) is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. In the past twenty years, CLW has dedicated its work to monitoring and advocating Chinese workers’ labor rights conditions. CLW has collaborated with various media platforms and human rights and labor organizations, and have conducted over a hundred on-the-ground, in-depth assessments of labor conditions in Chinese-owned factories. Products produced in these factories include toys, bikes, shoes, furniture, clothing, and electronics for some of the largest international brand corporations. CLW’s New York office creates reports from these investigations, educates the international community on supply chain labor issues, pressures corporations to improve conditions for workers, and advocates for policy changes among stakeholders involved. CLW also trains workers and operates a worker hotline in China that has handled nearly 6,000 cases since 2010.
available positions
China Researcher
Legal Counsel (Chinese law)
Project Officer
Special Assistant
Project Assistant – Internship
China Researcher
Full-time Job Vacancy
Job Location: New Jersey (in-person), but remote and hybrid are also can be negotiated.
Application Deadline: Recruitment is automatically suspended if there are suitable applicants.
Exemption Status/Reason: Exempt
Description: China Labor Watch is looking for a researcher to conduct research on labor rights in China, including workers in China and overseas. Employees at China Labor Watch must have flexibility at work and often are required to take up multiple tasks, but we aim to ensure equitable workload across the organization. Therefore, the China Researcher is sometimes expected to provide assistance in other projects.
Responsibilities
- Develop strategic research and publicity project plans, and work closely with other colleagues and external partners to promote labor rights monitoring and advocacy.
- Look for opportunities to speak at conferences and media on labor rights and human rights in China. Occasionally, researcher will be required to speak at media conferences, present research results at stakeholder meetings, etc.
- Research, monitor and investigate the labor situation in China, including Chinese overseas workers and domestic workers (including, ethnic minorities, the elderly, LGBT people, human rights defenders), and people living in poverty.
- Direct interviews with Chinese workers and stakeholders.
- Write accurate, fair, comprehensive and timely product and propaganda documents based on your research results.
- Collaborate with CLW colleagues to develop and implement an advocacy strategy to advocate for labor rights.
- Provide advice and cooperation with CLW colleagues, and review and edit the works produced by them.
- Place violations in the wider political, social and economic context and raise human rights issues with government officials, opinion leaders, intergovernmental bodies and the media.
- Work closely with relevant departments of CLW, including legal and project colleagues.
- Work closely with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local human rights organizations to ensure that CLW’s work complements and reinforces their own work.
- Participate in domestic and international business trips for research and publicity as needed.
- Perform other duties as required.
Qualifications
- Master’s of Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Law, Journalism and other disciplines; graduate level or above.
- At least one year of experience working in relevant fields. Internship experiences can also be considered if it is directly related to human rights or China related issues.
- Fluent in English. Working proficiency in Chinese, preferably fluent in Chinese.
- Familiar with Chinese social media.
- At least one year of research experience.
The ideal candidate will have experience building and coordinating global networks and alliances on immigration, human trafficking, forced labor and global supply chains, as well as some Asian language skills.
Relevant skills and knowledge
- Need to understand Chinese labor and human rights issues.
- A strong commitment to human and labor rights is required, as well as an understanding of Chinese workers and related interest groups. The ideal candidate will have established and coordinated skills in immigration, human trafficking, forced labor, and global supply chains.
- Timely, high-quality written research and investigative records, as well as editorial experience, are required.
- Feel comfortable with the generation and execution of research projects that require curiosity and creativity to follow up and follow through
- Requires exceptionally strong research, analytical, writing and editing skills.
- Experience in conducting challenging investigative research on a global scale is required, along with the ability to dig deep and tenaciously find hard-to-reach information, sources, and records.
- Familiarity with data and spreadsheets is highly desirable.
- Good oral and written communication skills in Chinese and English, and strong public speaking skill
- Experience in television, radio, print and social media is a plus.
- Ability to work independently as well as successfully with a team is required.
- Ability to multitask effectively, including strong planning and organizational skills, able to work under pressure.
Salary and Benefits
CLW seeks excellent applicants and offers competitive salaries and employer-paid benefits and assists employees in obtaining necessary work permits when needed; citizens of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. If the position is based in the US, the salary range is $50,000 – $70,000. CLW supports health insurance, including dental and vision.
Other: Applicants for this position must be willing to travel and be prepared to spend extensive time outside the office doing research or advocacy.
China Labor Watch encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. China Labor Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation.
How to Apply
Please submit applications via email (amelia@chinalaborwatch.org ) and attach a cover letter–one must be in Chinese, and another must be in English–and a resume, with the subject heading of the email as “China Researcher”. We will follow-up with applicants. Please refrain from making phone calls. Application is now open, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Legal Counsel (Chinese law)
Job description
Full-time Job Vacancy
Job Location: New Jersey (in-person)
Application Deadline: On rolling basis until filled
Description: We are looking for a Legal Counsel, with a background in Chinese labor and employment relations, reporting directly to the Executive Director. The Counsel will be an integral part of important surveys on labor and human rights issues in China and will have the opportunity to contribute to a variety of legal initiatives. This Legal Counsel position requires fluency in both Chinese and English with a Chinese lawyer certificate and knowledge of human rights and labor issues in China. Employees at China Labor Watch must have flexibility at work and often are required to take up multiple tasks, but we aim to ensure an equitable workload across the organization.
Responsibilities:
- Support for the China Labor Watch research team’s operation with educated opinions on legal information, primarily in East coast America and China.
- Conducting legal analysis and researching legal matters.
- Providing insight and opinion on Chinese legal matters.
- Drafting legal opinions, memoranda, and briefing documents.
- Reviewing legal material.
Qualifications
- Education: 2-5 years of relevant professional experience (in China) with an emphasis on employment and labor and related professional services, at a law firm and/or in-house. LL.M Degree from an accredited law school required.
- Demonstrate strong attention to detail and pride yourself on providing high-quality work.
- Candidates are self-motivated and can work autonomously, but know when to escalate issues and be thoughtful in asking questions.
- Oral and written communication skills in English and in Mandarin Chinese are required.
- Must be familiar with Chinese law, proficient in Chinese labor law is preferred.
- This is not a legal practitioner position. The legal counsel is not required to provide professional legal advice.
China Labor Watch encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. China Labor Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation.
China Labor Watch can offer assistance in applying for H1B.
Salary and Benefits
Annual salary between $50,000 and $60,000, depending on the applicant’s qualifications. Salary is negotiable.
How to Apply
Please submit applications via email, and attach a cover letter–one must be in Chinese and another must be in English–and a resume, with the subject heading of the email as “Legal Counsel”. We will follow-up with applicants. Please refrain from making phone calls.
Application is now open, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Email address: amelia@chinalaborwatch.org
Project Officer
Job description
Full-time Job Vacancy
Job Location: New Jersey (in-person)
Application Deadline: On rolling basis until filled
Description: China Labor Watch is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated individual to join its project team. This project officer position requires fluency in both Chinese and English with excellent writing skills, and knowledge on human rights and labor issues in China. The project officer will be responsible for all components for the assigned program(s), from initial stages of project planning and budgeting to regular project evaluations and follow-ups. Employees at China Labor Watch must have flexibility at work and often are required to take up multiple tasks, but we aim to ensure equitable workload across the organization.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain and deepen the professional and personal networks between program participants and CLW;
- Manage internal and external communications;
- Produce high quality project materials for internal and external reviews;
- Manage interns and assign tasks based on senior staffs’ requests;
- Oversee the day-to-day operational, logistical, and administrative tasks pertaining to different programs, including regular coordination with partner organizations;
- Collaborate with senior staff members and program assistants to track and manage program progress;
- Coordinate with other labor or human rights organizations and funders.
- Prepare materials for stakeholder meetings and maintain professional relationships.
Qualifications
Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required. A Master’s degree in humanities and social sciences, public management, or in management related fields is strongly preferred.
Experience: At least 1 years of project managing, fundraising, and management experience is strongly preferred.
Required Skills and Knowledge:
- Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and in Mandarin Chinese are required.
- Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel is required.
- Must be willing and able to travel internationally occasionally.
- Excellent organizational skills and attentive to details.
- Strong, demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or labor rights issues;
- Experience working in the field and research on China related issues are preferred.
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize long-term projects and short-term assignments in a deadline-driven environment.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a team and independently.
- Ability to take initiative and respond flexibly to evolving circumstances.
- Priorities will be given to those with experiences at NGOs.
- Past living experience in China is an asset.
China Labor Watch encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. China Labor Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation.
China Labor Watch can offer assistance in applying for H1B.
Salary and Benefits
Annual salary between $50,000 and $60,000, depending on the applicant’s qualifications.
How to Apply
Please submit applications via email, and attach two cover letter–one must be in Chinese and another must be in English–and a resume, with the subject heading of the email as “Project Officer.” We will follow-up with selected applicants. Please refrain from making phone calls.
Email Address: amelia@chinalaborwatch.org
Application is now open, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
special assitant
Job Description
CLW is seeking a special assistant based in New Jersey. This position is in-person only. This position will work closely with both the executive director and program department of the organization in different capacities. Special Assistants should be individuals who possess superb organizational skills and the ability to multitask and meet competing deadlines, while adapting to quickly changing situations. Additionally, candidates should be fluent in both English and Chinese. Expected salary is from $42,000-$60,000.
Primary Areas of Responsibility
Special Assistant work includes but is not limited to:
- Assisting the executive director with all logistics, from preparing board meeting materials to preparing his materials for domestic and international travel;
- The oversight and management of internal initiatives, along with consistent and accurate note-taking;
- Assisting the executive director with interviewing, coordinating and translating for Chinese workers in China.
- Assist program manager to manage office tasks. This includes but not limited to budgeting, office supply, travel expenses, etc.
- The rapid construction of accurate and concise briefing materials about company affairs for the executive director;
- The ability to multi-take and work efficiently on multiple work streams under a deadline;
- Other tasks as necessary, ranging from the drafting of reports and articles to calendar management.
Qualification
Requirements:
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in a relevant field, Master’s Degree in a relevant field a plus but not required if at least one year of relevant work experience.
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of one (1) years of increasingly responsible, directly related experience during which knowledge, skills and abilities applicable to the position were demonstrated.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of office management and assisting executive directors.
- Record of outstanding academic achievement. Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in a relevant field (required), Master’s Degree, preferable in a relevant field (a plus);
- Languages: English (required), Chinese (required);
- Attentive to detail, interpretive, creative, resourceful, tenacious, and entrepreneurial;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Excellent research and analytical skills;
- Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, demanding environment;
- Proficiency in productivity software (required), ability to use software in project management settings (strong plus);
- Willingness to undertake some domestic and possible international travel.
Please submit applications via email, and attach a cover letter–one must be in Chinese and another must be in English–and a resume, with the subject heading of the email as “special assistant”. We will follow-up with selected applicants, please refrain from calling.
Email address: amelia@chinalaborwatch.org
Project Assistant-INTERNSHIP (Part-time)
Job description
Internship Opportunity
Job Location: Romte
Application Deadline: TBA
Description: China Labor Watch is looking for a legal intern that specializes in Chinese labor law. This intern would work with CLW staff members to conduct interviews, connect with workers, and provide informed opinions in assisting workers to pursue their legal rights in China.
All CLW internships have the potential to be extended into a full-time position based on interns’ work performances.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in contacting, coordinating, and conducting interviews with workers
- Provide general advice and informed opinions to Chinese workers who are victims of labor exploitation
- Provide assistance for Chinese workers to engage in litigation against companies that violate workers’ rights in Chinese courts
- Support staff in connecting with law firms and other non-profit organizations
- Collect, edit, and analyze interview records, and provide relevant information to CLW lawyers
- Collect, analyze, verify and synthesize information on social media and news outlets on labor conditions
Qualifications
- To qualify you must have a High School Diploma required. A bachelor’s degree in humanities and social sciences is preferred.
- Eligibility to work in the US for the duration of the internship program is required. (CPT/OPT for F-1 students)
- Ability to commit at least 15-20 hours per week is preferred.
Experiencee:
- No experiences is required, although experiences in Chinese labor/human rights advocacy is strongly preferred
- Eligibility to work in the US for the duration of the internship program is required
- Required Skills and Knowledge:
- Excellent oral and written communications skills in English and in Mandarin Chinese are required
- Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel is required
China Labor Watch is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, religious creed, medical/physical/mental condition, veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. People of color, people with disabilities, women, veterans, people from working-class communities, and people who identify as LGTBQ+, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Compensation
This is an unpaid internship position; but interns will receive a research stipend of $1200 per mounth. Interns are expected to work for a minimum of 3 months. .
How to Apply
Please submit applications via email, and attach two cover letters–one must be in Chinese and another must be in English–and a resume, with the subject heading of the email as “Project Assistant – Internship”, to amelia@chinalaborwatch.org. We will follow-up with applicants. Please refrain from making phone calls.
Application is now open, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.