Researcher, Western and Northern Europe

Job Title: Researcher, Western and Northern Europe

Department: Programs, Europe & Central Asia (ECA)

Job Band: Researchers & Associates I

Salary Range: Compensation based on experience, skills, and location. See below for more information.

Office Location: Remote, Europe-based

Workspace Designation: Remote 

Reports to: Program Coordinator, Europe & Central Asia 

Closing Date: September 10, 2026

Organization Overview:

Founded in 1981, the Committee to Protect Journalists (“CPJ”) is an independent, non-profit organization defending journalists worldwide without regard to their political ideology. Through its work to safeguard journalists, CPJ protects the rights of all people to have access to diverse and independent sources of information. For over four decades, CPJ has helped win the early release of imprisoned journalists, secure convictions in journalist murders, and enable legal reform in countries where free expression has deteriorated. CPJ’s widely cited database and reports have raised global awareness of attacks on press freedom. Learn more about CPJ’s fight to defend freedom of the press here http://cpj.org 

At CPJ, we are dedicated to upholding values of equity and free expression in both our internal operations and external endeavors. As a global organization headquartered in the United States, we aspire to build a diverse workplace and foster an inclusive and welcoming environment. We strive for our people to be representative of the global community on which we report and to equip them with the opportunities and resources they need to learn and succeed.

Job Summary:

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is hiring a Researcher - Western and Northern Europe (WNE) to join our Europe and Central Asia program. The position reports to the Program Coordinator, ECA, and is responsible for monitoring, researching, documenting, and responding to attacks on the press and other issues impacting press freedom in the region. The Researcher also supports the development of regional and sub-regional strategy, initiates and produces expert analysis on the region, represents CPJ publicly when required, and supports the program’s journalism assistance efforts.

This role requires a strong background in media, press freedom, and human rights in the ECA region, excellent research and writing skills, a solid understanding of journalistic standards, and the ability to work independently and proactively across the region. The Researcher collaborates with team members and other departments, following CPJ’s established guidelines and frameworks.

This position is based in the Europe/Central Asia region and will be hired via an Employer of Record.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Monitoring, Data Collection & Documentation

• • Monitor, verify and document press freedom developments in the ECA region, including arrests, censorship, attacks, legal harassment, transnational repression and other threats to journalists and media outlets, with a focus on Western and Northern Europe.
  • Maintain accurate, timely updates to CPJ’s databases of imprisoned, missing, killed or targeted journalists.
  • Monitor breaking news and emerging developments and promptly flag urgent issues to the Program Coordinator.
  • Build and maintain databases of local and regional media, government, and civil society contacts.
  
  

Research & Writing 

• • Initiate and write reports, advocacy documents, engaging social media content and other materials on press freedom issues in the region.
  • Propose, direct and conduct research on press freedom issues in the ECA region.
  • Produce timely news alerts, statements, and analysis in response to press freedom issues in ECA.
  • Prepare research notes, background materials, advocacy documents and other materials as needed, in accordance with CPJ standards.
  • Produce relevant and factual social media content, in coordination with CPJ’s social media team.
  
  

Advocacy

• • Represent CPJ at conferences and meetings with authorities, journalists, partners, policymakers and other stakeholders.
  • Develop and execute advocacy strategies to advance press freedom in ECA, in coordination with ECA Program Coordinator and Regional Director.
  • Attend meetings, online and in person, to further CPJ’s advocacy goals.
  
  

Engagement & Coordination

• • Maintain and build relationships with journalists, human rights organisations and other regional stakeholders, coordinating on joint projects that advance CPJ’s goals. 
  • Collaborate with CPJ’s global teams, including Advocacy, Research, and Assistance, to ensure coordinated organizational impact.
  • Pitch CPJ research to media and other stakeholders to help direct coverage of relevant press freedom issues.
  
  

Journalist Assistance (JA) Support

• • Conduct research and verification for Journalist Assistance requests.
  • Submit JA documentation in line with CPJ’s framework and internal systems.
  • Coordinate with CPJ’s Emergencies team and journalists receiving support.
  
  

Additional Support

• • Provide translation of interviews, documents, and other materials between English and relevant local languages, as needed.
  • Perform other duties within the scope of CPJ’s research and advocacy mandate as requested by the Program Coordinator or Regional Director. 
  
  
  

Qualifications & Competencies: 

Required:

• Minimum of five years experience in researching, reporting, and publishing on global human rights and politics, or equivalent experience in advocacy and humanitarian assistance.
• Strong understanding of Europe and Central Asia issues, including media and human rights.
• Excellent English writing and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in at least one other language relevant to the position.
• Excellent interpersonal, organisational and time-management skills. 
• Ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Significant experience working with governments and other policymakers.
• Knowledge and skill in using social media tools effectively.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Drive, with basic working knowledge of its tools and functionalities.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong commitment to press freedom.
• Capacity to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of additional regional languages is desirable.
• Strong networks of regional contacts. 
• Expertise in online/digital harms.
• Experience of policy development.
• Multimedia and data journalism experience. 
• Experience supporting trauma‑related or journalist assistance cases.

Physical Requirements:

This position’s physical demands reflect work in a typical office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

Work Location:

This position is located in Europe and is classified as fully remote. Availability to work and attend meetings on the US Eastern time zone as needed is required. 

Compensation:

Compensation for this position will be based on experience, skills, and location. As a point of reference, the expected salary range for this position if hired in the UK is 45,700 - 51,500 GBP. Specific compensation rates will be determined based upon candidate location in order to align with local market conditions and cost of living differences.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

CPJ provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.