JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: Program Assistant/ Financial Associate, Defend the Defenders

and Promote Peace Campaigns

Preferred Start Date: March 11th, 2024. Position is hybrid & based in Washington, DC

Application Deadline: Applications accepted until filled. 

The Latin America Working Group (LAWG) seeks a full-time Program Assistant/ Financial Associate to start in mid-July. Join our small, hard-working, and collaborative team in advocating for just U.S. policies toward Latin America! 

The Latin America Working Group seeks to ensure that U.S. policies advance human rights,  peace, and social, environmental, and economic justice in Latin America and the  Caribbean. To achieve this mission, we work with coalition partners in the United States and Latin America to educate policymakers and the public and to mobilize a broad, diverse, and powerful grassroots base that can influence U.S. policymakers and achieve change. 

The Program Assistant/Financial Associate will have substantive communications and campaign-related responsibilities related to our Uphold Justice & Defend the Defenders and Promote Peace campaigns, as well as other campaigns, and will work on issues related to Colombia, Central America, Cuba, and other countries. Campaign responsibilities include assisting in advocacy with Congress and the administration, supporting the work of partner organizations in Latin America and the United States, and leading digital and grassroots organizing and content creation. As Financial Associate, responsibilities include paying bills and making deposits, preparing financial reports, and working closely with our bookkeeper and accountant.

Program/Communications 

• Create grassroots email action alerts, infographics, blog posts, newsletter articles, toolkits, and other content to expand public reach and policy impact. 
• Design and implement social media campaigns and online grassroots outreach.  
• Manage and update website. 
• Assist in organizing delegations of human rights defenders from Latin America to meet with U.S. policymakers and the public. 
• Support coordination of strategy sessions with partner organizations.  
• Assist in advocacy efforts with congressional offices and government agencies. 
• Conduct research and assist in writing projects related to campaigns. 

Financial/Administrative

• Carry out daily financial activities, which include paying bills, making deposits, filling out administrative paperwork, responding to accountant requests, and processing monthly payroll.

• Produce financial reports for grant proposals and reports.
• Prepare for an annual financial audit.
• Act as liaison for technology consultants and vendors to resolve issues.
• Support in supervising interns, and perform other administrative tasks as needed.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required along with 1-2 years of work or internship experience. 
• Very strong writing skills with ability to create materials for a variety of audiences, from grassroots advocates to policymakers.  
• Experience with social media and grassroots and/or online organizing. 
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills. 
• Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish. 
• Familiarity with U.S. policy in Latin America and commitment to justice and human rights in the region and migrant and refugee rights.
• Self-starter with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. 
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to multitask.
• Experience with CMS platforms (our office uses WordPress) and CRM and online advocacy software (our office uses Everyaction) is preferred but not required. 
• Skills in graphic design preferred but not required (our office uses Adobe Creative Suite, and Canva); video editing or HTML/CSS are a plus. 

Term: Two-year minimum commitment required. 

Salary and Benefits: Starting salary: $45,000; 20 days of paid vacation plus sick days and holidays; health, vision, and dental insurance; 403 (b) retirement plan with matching contribution after two years. 

To Apply: Please submit your resume, cover letter, a short writing sample in English (1-4 pages), and two references (including email, phone number, and relationship) online at  https://www.lawg.org/job-application/. No phone calls, please. 

*The Latin America Working Group values a multicultural and multiethnic work environment and strongly encourages people of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.