Guatemala Field Coordinator

The Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) is seeking a Field Coordinator for its Guatemala City office. This is a newly created position that combines the functions of the current part time NISGUA Field Officer with responsibility for the coordination of NISGUA organizational and program development in Guatemala. The position will be set at three-quarters time (30 hours/week) with the possibility of extension to full time as required by programmatic changes.

Duties:

Representation:

- Maintain regular relations with NISGUA's partner organizations in Guatemala

- Seek new relations with organizations whose work fits NISGUA's campaign

- Keep up-to-date with situation in Guatemala and in civil society

- Monitor civil society movements and initiatives

- Distribute smaller donations as appropriate

- Represent NISGUA at conferences etc. as necessary

Program work:

- Prepare for, lead, and do follow-up work for annual or bi-annual NISGUA delegations

- Coordinate in-country work related to NISGUA's Annual Speaker Tours in the United States

- Provide in-country support for NISGUA's political advocacy work

- Fact check materials and publications

- Provide support for NISGUA's accompaniment work in Guatemala as necessary, in particular as we develop our organizational accompaniment project

Organizational development:

- Coordinate field activities with a view to integrating NISGUA program work into current campaign work

- Facilitate monthly staff meetings

- Coordinate bi-annual planning and evaluation activities in Guatemala

- Coordinate field office communication with national office Administration, Finances, and Fundraising:

- Administer NISGUA's regional office with help from other in-country team members

- Administer and report on finances

- Contribute to NISGUA's fundraising efforts in coordination with U.S.-based Development Officer (conceptualize approach and fact checkletters and applications)

Qualifications:

We are looking for a self-motivated organized individual with excellent interpersonal skills, fluent Spanish, and a proven commitment to human rights and social justice in the region. The candidate must have prior knowledge of Central American politics and history, and must have at least basic knowledge of the political scene and historical development of Guatemala. It is also paramount that the applicant have experience in coordinating team efforts, in promoting organizational development, and in planning and evaluation processes. NISGUA has a non-hierarchical manner of working, and the newcomer should therefore believe in and feel comfortable with a teamwork cooperational manner of relating to the organization. We  expect a person who knows how to organize and manage her/his own time, who can meet (sometimes changing) deadlines, and who has excellent political judgment and cultural sensitivity.

If possible, the Field Coordinator should have some prior knowledge and understanding of United States solidarity work, and have lived in Guatemala or worked on Guatemala issues. Ideally, s/he would have a good understanding of organizational development, planning processes, and/or personnel management.

The candidate who has not previously lived in Central America will need to convince us of his/her ability handle the additional stress involved with living in a foreign country with very different and sometimes non-existing infrastructure.

We offer a competitive salary, as well as U.S.-based health insurance. For legal reasons, the applicant must have a valid work permit for the United States.

For a description of NISGUA's work, we encourage you to look on our website: www.nisgua.org

Please direct applications to

NISGUA, Field Coordinator Search, 1830

Connecticut Ave. N.W., Washington D.C. 20009,

nisgua@igc.org, fax: 202 2238221.

For clarifications or questions, please call Marianne at 202-518-7638.

Deadline: February 1, 2001.