Program Associate (Spanish/English)

About Rights and Resources Initiative

The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition of over 150 organizations dedicated to advancing the forestland and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, local communities, and the women within them. RRI leverages the power of its global coalition to amplify the voices of local peoples and proactively engage governments, multilateral institutions, and private sector actors to adopt institutional and market reforms that support the realization of rights. It works to unblock political obstacles to create the enabling conditions for recognition of land rights, pilot implementation, and create pathways to scale. RRI is coordinated by the Rights and Resources Group (RRG), a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC.

About CLARIFI

The Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative (CLARIFI) is a new international funding mechanism created by RRI and Campaign for Nature to fulfill a critical gap in the current ecosystem of funding for Indigenous and community rights and conservation. It aims to contribute to raising and deploying US$10 billion in public and private funds by 2030 to secure Indigenous Peoples’, Afro-descendant Peoples’, and local communities’ land rights and to support their conservation and development initiatives.

Associate, CLARIFI (Spanish/English)

The Associate is a key member of RRI’s CLARIFI team and will be responsible for providing administrative and programmatic support for CLARIFI. The Associate will perform the job duties in a systematic and precise manner, handling details carefully while focusing on big-picture goals. The Associate will be flexible to work in a highly dynamic environment while ensuring that work is completed within established deadlines. The ability to work collaboratively, collegially, and respectfully under pressure is essential.

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC, USA or Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Two associates will be hired to support our work in Africa, Asia and Latin America: one French/English speaker (Africa/Asia) and one Spanish/English speaker (Latin America/Asia). Please visit https://apply.workable.com/j/F22AE9DE37 for the other role.

Applicants for the Washington, DC location should apply to this offer. To apply for the Montreal location, please visit: https://apply.workable.com/j/A08BD05A55

Applications will be accepted immediately and interviews conducted on a rolling basis.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. CLARIFI (75%)

• Provide general administrative support for CLARIFI in English and Spanish, assisting the CLARIFI Director and Facilitators as appropriate.
• Provide coordination and administrative support to the CLARIFI Steering Committee and CLARIFI Technical Team.
• Under the guidance of the Program Director, take ownership and responsibility for proactively:
• Participating in the contracting process via consolidation of budgets and work plans for CLARIFI, reviewing and providing input to concept notes and drafting all CLARIFI contracts and amendments as needed.
• Tracking projects in CLARIFI, e. g. project deliverables; reviewing financial reports and managing payment activities consistent with RRI’s accounting tools.
• Drafting correspondence in English and Spanish to ensure concept notes, contracts, reporting and payments are completed in a timely fashion and accurately reflect program/activity objectives.
• Assist in the coordination and drafting or translating (English to/from Spanish) of research, analytical briefings, and CLARIFI updates for use in publications, reports, meetings, etc., etc.
• Manage and provide logistical, travel, administrative and research support to meetings and events held at national, regional and global levels.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation process and reporting, ensuring documents are prepared on time to reflect CLARIFI’s impacts.
• In coordination with Communications team, manage CLARIFI webpage and update event announcements, news and relevant content to blogs.
• Effectively contribute to the smooth program administration of CLARIFI, adhering to RRI administrative protocol and deadlines by proactively communicating and seeking resolution of issues.
• Undertake other tasks as requested.

2. Organization Planning and Institution-wide Support (25%)

• Provide support on institution-wide functions as requested, including correspondence with Partners and Collaborators in country and in the regions, .
• Coordinate with regional teams on the development and management of projects.
• Support the preparation of narrative reports to donors, and support programmatic planning and monitoring, including the Independent Monitor.
• Provide support related to a strategic theme of intellectual interest, contributing to and/or carrying out research or strategic analysis, providing critical comments on analysis created by RRI Partners and Collaborators, collecting and disseminating relevant publications, articles, news and analyses, supporting networking activities of RRI Partners and Collaborators.
• Edit and translate minor or internal documents to/from English and Spanish.
• Prepare CLARIFI presentations for planning and governance meetings.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to RRI governance and global planning meetings, including contributions to note-taking, translation of short documents and simultaneous translation.
• Participate in governance meetings, staff retreats, and team assessment of organization wide and coalition wide progress towards RRI goals and Vision.
• Support the organization, convening and documentation of coalition planning meetings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required with a focus on African, Latin American or Asian Studies, Environment, Human Rights, International Development, Anthropology, or other relevant field with a focus on natural resource management and governance.
• 1-2 years work experience in the international space. Experience within an international organization, non-governmental organization (NGO) or with civil society organizations (CSOs) in Africa, Asia or Latin America is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with the politics and human rights issues around land rights in Africa, Asia or Latin America.
• Professional fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Exceptional and demonstrated writing and research skills; Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize competing demands and projects in the short and long term.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with people in a multicultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Ability to work well in a team environment, with the flexibility to work independently in a highly dynamic environment.
• Strong computer skills (specifically Microsoft Word and Excel).
• Experience working with budgeting & contracting.
• Familiarity or demonstrated interest in international context.
• Analytical problem-solving skills.
• Interest in social justice, equity, and human rights, and a passion to be part of a team to advance global progress on these issues.
• Ability to travel overseas.

Salary: Starting at $55,000 USD, depending on experience

Benefits

Rights and Resources Group recognizes the value of benefits to employees and their families. We take great pride in offering our dedicated and committed employees a competitive benefits package. Our comprehensive benefit programs provide you with a reliable, effective, and affordable array of choices that will meet your needs and those of your family.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance; dependents and domestic partners eligible
• 100% coverage of employee premiums for the following: short-term/long-term disability insurance, life insurance, travel insurance, and the employee assistant program
• If eligible, 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• 25 days of PTO annually, in addition to paid holidays
• Flextime, teleworking, and work from home options
• Tuition reimbursement up to $1,500 per year after 1 full year of employment
• Dynamic growth opportunities with merit-based promotion philosophy

Rights and Resources Group (RRG) is committed to creating and maintaining a workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the organization and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, RRG makes all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation or any other category protected by applicable law.