The Human Rights Violator Law Division (HRVLD) of the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, anticipates and opening for a historian, preferably specialized in Africa, Asia or the Middle East, though we encourage those with other regional expertise to express interest. The historian will join a team within the U.S. government that investigates and prosecutes human rights violators and war criminals. HRVLD historians are experts on the history of post-1950s conflicts or regimes in which human rights abuses were perpetrated and have broad knowledge of relevant historical literature and of domestic, foreign, and international archives and similar repositories containing records pertinent to the investigations of human rights violations and war crimes.
HRVLD historians conduct case-related investigative research as part of regionally focused teams at the Homeland Security Investigations led Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. The teams work to identify, investigate, and prosecute criminal and immigration cases against individuals in the U.S. who have been involved in persecution, genocide, extrajudicial killing, torture, severe violations of religious freedom, female genital mutilation, the use or recruitment of child soldiers, war crimes or other human rights violations, as well as to seek the subsequent removal of these individuals from the United States.
HRVLD historians:
• Demonstrate a high degree of resourcefulness, ingenuity, tenacity and creative thinking in conducting research;
• Synthesize and contextualize research findings for varying audiences;
• Organize, track, and account for documents and sources reviewed or collected on a large-scale research project;
• Analyze primary source materials to prepare status reports detailing progress in investigative research.
Qualifications:
In light of the nature of HRVLD’s work, historian assignments are complex and high-profile. Qualified candidates must be U.S. citizens and possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, characteristics, and competencies: adept at analyzing primary source materials for the preparation of a doctoral dissertation or similar product that meticulously presents original research findings and conclusions, proficient in a relevant language (other than English), and able to effectively work with partners within the U.S. government, representatives of foreign governments, and civil society organizations.
Pay Scale:
GS-14 through GS-15.
Location:
Washington, D.C.
To express interest:
Please submit a letter of interest, a cv or resume that indicates your geographic region of expertise and specific language skills, and a brief writing sample (10-15 pages). Regions of interest include: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Send materials to: OPLA-HRVLD-Applications@ice.dhs.gov. Materials submitted will be considered on a rolling basis until approximately October 10, 2025.
