JOB ANNOUNCEMENT—LATIN AMERICA WORKING GROUP
Senior Associate for Mexico, Border, and Migrant Rights Issues
The Latin America Working Group (LAWG) has an opening for a Senior Associate for Mexico, Border and Migrant Rights Issues. This Senior Associate will develop, direct and implement LAWG’s executive branch, legislative and grassroots advocacy strategies to encourage U.S. policies to strengthen human rights, accountability, and access to justice in Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border region and to protect migrant rights throughout the migrant route.
The Latin America Working Group is one of the nation’s longest standing coalitions dedicated to influencing U.S. foreign policy. LAWG seeks to ensure that U.S. policies towards Latin America promote human rights, peace, justice, and sustainable development. To carry out this mission, LAWG coordinates advocacy and public education efforts, as well as grassroots campaigns.
Responsibilities:
Develop and implement all aspects of LAWG’s program to advance U.S. policies to strengthen, not harm, human rights, accountability, and justice in Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border region, including strategies involving targeted legislative and executive branch advocacy and public education;
Co-coordinate efforts to advance constructive dialogue between civil society groups and U.S. administration officials engaged in immigration and border enforcement, in close collaboration with LAWG’s partners, including groups from the U.S.-Mexico border region;
Construct and nurture cross-sector and bi-national coalitions in the United States, including the border region, Mexico, and Central America;
Develop, maintain, and manage working relationships with key congressional offices responsible for immigration and foreign policy;
Track and develop analyses of U.S. legislation that impacts Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border region;
Research and develop policy briefings, policy recommendations, blog posts, email alerts and other materials to advance legislative and administrative advocacy strategies;
Organize delegations of civil society leaders from Mexico, the U.S.-Mexico border region, and Central America to Washington, DC to meet with policymakers and the public;
Carry out fundraising activities, including preparing proposals and reports for foundations and cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors and foundations;
Supervise one program assistant, and work with colleagues on joint projects.
Qualifications:
Minimum four years’ experience engaged in advocacy or related work;
Knowledge of Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border region. Knowledge of immigration, Central American affairs, asylum/refugee protection policy issues a plus;
Demonstrated commitment to social justice, and human rights in Mexico and the U.S.-Mexico border region;
Familiarity and experience working with civil society groups from Mexico and/or U.S.-Mexico border region;
Very strong writing skills with the ability to create materials for a variety of audiences, including policymakers, the general public and grassroots advocates;
Excellent oral communications skills;
Excellent organizational skills; follow-through and attention to detail;
Social media skills a plus;
Commitment to coalition work; previous experience with coalitions a plus;
Proficiency in Spanish, written and spoken, required;
Willingness to travel to Mexico and border region for meetings and events;
Fundraising experience and willingness to carry out program fundraising;
Willingness to work as part of a team, and strong interpersonal skills.
Salary and Benefits: Competitive salary commensurate with experience; 20 days paid vacation (25 after 5 years) plus at least 10 holidays and comp time; health, dental, and vision insurance; pension match after two years. Collegial workplace.
Deadline: July 15, 2015
To apply: Send your resume, a cover letter, a short writing sample, and the names, emails and daytime phone numbers of two references to jobs@lawg.org. Please include “Senior Associate for Mexico, Border and Migrant Rights” as the subject line. No phone calls, please.
Please note that only those individuals whose qualifications match the current needs of this position will be considered applicants and will receive responses from the Latin America Working Group.
*The Latin America Working Group values a diverse workplace, is committed to equal employment opportunity and strongly encourages people of all backgrounds and experiences to apply.