Program Officer

Job Summary: The Program Officer is a lawyer who collaborates with and coordinates technical assistance to civil society organizations in Latin America on human rights, rule of law, and anticorruption issues; and carries out communication and advocacy activities throughout the region and the United States. The Program Officer reports to and works in close coordination with DPLF’s Program Director for Corruption and Human Rights and is responsible for developing, producing, and disseminating information created within the projects assigned to them.

Required Qualifications:

• Law degree (JD, LLM or equivalent).
• A solid background in international law and at least five years of experience working on human rights issues in Latin America.
• Experience working within the Inter-American human rights system.
• Ability to produce high quality legal research and program reports.
• Experience drafting advocacy documents and ability to explain technical legal concepts to a wide variety of audiences (media, government officials, donors, etc.).
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English, and ability to communicate persuasively and professionally in both languages.
• High degree of personal initiative to propose and carry out activities.
• Ability to organize, work independently, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
• Sensitivity to working in a multicultural work environment; excellent interpersonal skills with people and civil society organizations from different backgrounds and positions.

Additional desired attributes:

• Knowledge of the human rights agenda in the LAC region, with special focus on the situation in Venezuela.
• Experience with the United Nations human rights system.
• Knowledge of the International Criminal Court and other international accountability mechanisms.
• Experience working on anticorruption issues.
• Experience administering projects funded by government donors.
• Availability for frequent travel.

Responsibilities:

Program Development

• Collaborate with the Executive Director and Program Director in researching, developing, and vetting program ideas and writing concept papers, reports and proposals (including the programmatic components and budgetary requirements).

Program Activities

• Carry out research and legal analysis on topics related to DPLF’s program areas.
• Provide substantive technical assistance to local partners and subgrantees on legal and institutional strategies in cases and advocacy campaigns.
• Evaluate, coordinate, and supervise consultant research:
• Identify and select researchers and consultants in coordination with Program Director and Executive Director; draft terms of reference.
• Communicate with all researchers involved in a project, anticipate and answer queries, discuss progress, and resolve any issues in the production process.
• Ensure that Consultant work holds to DPLF standards and is on time; discuss and review multiple drafts of research produced.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships and coordinate work with DPLF’s partners in Latin America and Washington, DC.
• Plan, organize, and carry out seminars, conferences, and workshops in Latin America.
• Plan research/advocacy trips, including meeting objectives and agendas.
• Monitor and analyze news and online media outlets for relevant information regarding program areas.

Advocacy

• In coordination with Program Director and the Executive Director, draft advocacy documents with DPLF’s legal and policy analysis on a variety of human rights and rule of law issues.
• Seek out and participate in meetings with officials of Latin American governments, the Inter-American and UN human rights systems, and the US government.
• Seek out alliances and partnering opportunities with other civil society organizations and international agencies based in Washington, DC and abroad.
• Occasionally prepare, coordinate or review Amicus Briefs and additional legal documentation in support of partner organizations.

Communications

• Contribute to the institutional website and social media (Blog, Facebook and Twitter)
• Write opinion pieces and related materials for traditional and social media
• Interact with selected media contacts
• Review and edit publications.

Administration and Reporting

• Draft donor project reports in coordination with the Program Directors, Programs Manager, Grants Manager , and the Director of Institutional Development & Finance with support from the Programs Associate
• Coordinate trip logistics
• Coordinate with Communications Officer on production of designated project publications.

Location: DPLF has adopted a flexible hybrid work environment. The ideal candidate will be able to live and work in the Washington, DC area and work in-person from DPLF’s office at least two (2) days per week.

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience. Full benefits package includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance fully paid by employer. 403b retirement plan with employer matching. Generous vacation and sick leave.

How To Apply: Please send cover letter and resume in English to the attention of: Gina Kawas, Programs Manager at [email protected] (Subject line: Program Officer Application). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.