Guatemala Human Rights Commission

Staff Positions –

Advocacy Director

Together with the Guatemala City Office Director and in consultation with the Board, the Advocacy Director will develop and implement a strategic advocacy plan, defining goals and actions to promote human rights in Guatemala in accordance with GHRC’s mission and values.

In coordination with the Guatemala City Office Director, monitor and investigate the human rights situation in Guatemala and analyze information in order to develop GHRC’s position, message, and actions. Routinely consult with human rights defenders, community organizations, and other human rights actors in Guatemala to coordinate strategic actions and the dissemination of information.

Design and carry out urgent action campaigns to support and protect human rights leaders and defenders in Guatemala who are criminalized, threatened, or attacked. In coordination with the Guatemala City Office Director, find creative and effective ways to accompany, aid, and advocate for defenders at risk, including indigenous leaders, campesinos, women’s rights leaders, independent journalists, environmentalists, LGBTQ activists, land rights activists, and those seeking justice for crimes committed during the armed conflict.

Produce articles, editorials, position papers, and educational materials to inform GHRC’s base, the media, congressional offices, State Department, NGOs, and the general public to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Guatemala. Coordinate with the Director of Outreach and Development to provide content for GHRC’s social media spaces: website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

Investigate, monitor, and assess the human rights impact of US policies, programs, and practices in Guatemala, including the actions of US corporations. Create campaigns designed to raise awareness, denounce violations, and promote respect for human rights.

Investigate, monitor, and assess the impact of international corporations, the World Bank, the IMF and other foreign campaigns/projects on the human rights situation in Guatemala and disseminate such information.

Support all efforts to end impunity in Guatemala, including the sharing of archival information, identifying and providing experts as needed, and providing for legal and logistical assistance from the GHRC team in Guatemala.

Maintain fluid communication with the Guatemala office, help oversee the advocacy-related work of interns and volunteers, and provide regular updates on priorities and activities to other staff and board.

Participate in relevant, advocacy-focused coalitions online and in DC.

Support and coordinate with Guatemalan human rights defenders, lawyers, and activists traveling to Washington DC, especially in the context of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (OAS) public sessions.

Organize GHRC’s annual US Speaking Tour with a Guatemalan human rights defender. Accompany the defender to Congressional meetings, media interviews, and speaking engagements with NGOs, churches, universities, and other GHRC partners.

Help organize and lead delegations to Guatemala, if conditions permit, with support from and in coordination with the Director of Outreach and Development.

Salary

At least $57,000

Qualifications 

• 2 years of Washington advocacy experience strongly preferred
• Knowledge of human rights
• Solid knowledge of Guatemala
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience with digital organizing and campaigning

Benefits 

Excellent benefits including:

• 4 weeks paid vacation, 12 day sick leave and 9 paid federal holidays per year
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• Employer provided health insurance
• 3% employer retirement match after 1 year of employment

To apply, send a cover letter and resume to  ghrc-usa@ghrc-usa.org, with the subject line Advocacy Director.

Internships

The Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA (GHRC) offers unpaid fall, spring and summer internships. We are regularly seeking interns to work with our Washington, DC and Guatemala City offices. Interns are integral to our work, providing substantive support to our publications, research on key human rights topics and program and campaign development. Depending on their interests, additional tasks may include translation and editing, speaker tours and delegation organizing, monitoring of the Guatemalan and Honduran press and assisting staff with affidavits for political asylum cases. Interns are expected to become full staff members during their time with us, including facilitating and taking notes during meetings and assisting with general office duties.The minimum internship length is three months, and interns are asked to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week, preferably in the morning and early afternoons.

For information on applying for an internships, please click here.