Internships and Employment

Current Employment Opportunities:

PROGRAM ASSISTANT

The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) seeks an entry-level administrative staff person to work with program staff. The Program Assistant provides administrative support to senior staff within a fast-paced human rights organization working in Washington and Latin America. S/he will have initiative, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in both English and Spanish. The position is for two years, subject to an evaluation at the end of the first three months, and brings a committed individual into contact with the human rights, religious, and foreign policy communities in Washington and Latin America. WOLA’s Washington office has a paid staff of seventeen, plus seven interns and five fellows.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Draft correspondence; copy-edit and format documents.
2. Assist with publication and distribution of reports, memos, press work, and other materials.
3. Assist in the coordination of public events, conferences, and delegations.
4. Maintain contact with U.S. and Latin American NGOs, attend coalition meetings, and accompany Latin American delegations while in Washington.
5. Monitor relevant congressional hearings and legislation.
6. Manage an intern in coordination with the Intern Coordinator.
7. Maintain and update website and social media content.
8. Coordinate travel, meetings, and scheduling for associates.
9. Other duties, including research assistance, will be assigned depending on the Associates’ needs and Assistant’s abilities.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A demonstrated commitment to human rights, democracy, and social justice in Latin America.
2. Bachelor’s degree required along with 2-3 years of relevant work experience.
3. Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
4. Spanish and English fluency required. Written translation experience highly desired.
5. Excellent organizational and administrative skills, follow-through, and attention to detail. Event planning skills preferred.
6. Experience working or living in Latin America preferred.
7. Human rights, political advocacy, and/or Capitol Hill experience highly desired.
8. Computer maintenance and IT trouble-shooting skills a plus.
9. High level of initiative as well as the ability to work in a team.
10. Flexibility; ability to work in a small, fast-paced, dynamic office environment with frequent international visitors.
11. Knowledge of desktop publishing, database management, and website maintenance a plus.

SALARY: $33,000, full health, dental, vision, and life insurance; three weeks annual vacation.

TIME COMMITMENT: Two year commitment, subject to a favorable evaluation after the first three months.

APPLICATIONS DUE BY: May 22, 2012

START DATE:  July 25, 2012

TO APPLY: Please submit in English a cover letter, resume, 2 page English writing sample, and a list of two references with daytime telephone numbers and email addresses to PASearch@wola.org.  Only candidates authorized to work in the U.S. without any restrictions need apply.

- No phone calls please-

WOLA encourages application by minority candidates and is an equal opportunity employer.

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DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT AND PHILANTHROPIC OUTREACH

The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) is seeking a Development Director to head an aggressive fundraising program designed to help the organization carry out its mission: to promote human rights, democracy, and social justice in Latin America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1974, WOLA plays a leading role in Washington policy debates about Latin America. It also works closely with civil society organizations and government officials throughout the hemisphere. WOLA’s Washington office has a paid staff of seventeen, plus seven interns and five fellows.

The Development Director leads a team to raise WOLA’s $2 million annual budget from foundations, individuals, and other private sources. The Development Team also includes the Executive Director, Program Director, Development Manager, a half-time Development Assistant, with assistance from Board members.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. With the Executive Director, develop and implement fundraising strategies to secure philanthropic support for WOLA’s priorities and lead in the creation of new strategic fundraising initiatives to increase the organization’s funding base.
2. Develop and execute fundraising plans and monitor progress, providing strategic leadership for the Development Team.
3. The Director will be primarily responsible for advancing WOLA’s major gifts program ($5000 and above). This includes working with the Board of Directors and staff to identify, research, and qualify new donor prospects; creating customized strategies and activities to cultivate donors and prospects; and preparing and guiding the Executive Director or Board members through asks. This position is highly relational and the Director is expected to spend a significant percentage of his or her time communicating with our major donors and prospects in face-to-face meetings, on the phone, by email, etc.. Working with the Communications Department to develop targeted messaging strategies for WOLA’s donors through letters, publications, presentations, and online materials.
4. Oversee foundation grants program to ensure that it meets annual targets. Supervise program and fundraising staff on framing programs for solicitation, writing, reviewing, and editing proposals and reports, and maintaining contact with foundation program officers.
5. Plan and oversee all aspects of WOLA’s annual fundraising gala.
6. Supervise the Development Manager and the half-time Development Assistant.
7. Make strategic use of the Board Development Committee and maintain regular contact with its Chair; manage and help lead committee meetings.
8. Oversee direct mail initiatives and small donor events.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of fundraising and major gifts experience, including substantive experience with individual donor solicitation and demonstrated ability to manage a large portfolio of high-level donors through the cultivation and ask process.
2. Ability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines is essential.
3. Strong interpersonal, leadership, writing, and communication skills.
4. Ability to work well in a fast-paced, collaborative setting.
5. Demonstrated management experience, including staff supervision, and a commitment to ensuring the professional growth of supervisees.
6. Ability to coordinate many high-level relationships at once, including members of the Board of Directors and WOLA executive staff, as a part of a strategic major gifts growth plan.
7. Commitment to human rights and social justice.
8. Knowledge of Spanish and Latin America helpful.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience. Full health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance; four weeks annual vacation.

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, resume, salary history, and a list of three references with daytime telephone numbers and email addresses to Employment@wola.org

DEADLINE AND PREFERRED STARTING DATE: ASAP, applications will be reviewed upon receipt.

- No phone calls please-

WOLA encourages application by minority candidates and is an equal opportunity employer.
 

Sally Yudelman Internship Program:

WOLA’s Sally Yudelman Internship Program seeks to give interns hands-on experience and broad exposure to human rights advocacy and the foreign policy-making process. WOLA has hosted interns since the late 1980’s, and today our former interns can be found around the world working as human rights advocates, congressional aides, lawyers, journalists, professors, and even as members of WOLA’s senior staff.

Every semester WOLA’s new interns are paired with staff mentors and absorbed into the work of the organization. They collaborate on a mix of research, analytical, and administrative work, and they are invited to get involved in the day-to-day activities of their teams. WOLA selects seven interns per session (spring, summer, and fall), and each intern is assigned to a different program—communications or one of many policy areas. Interns also get involved in the behind-the-scenes work of running a non-profit organization, including helping with technology, the media, finance, and event planning.

Throughout the semester, interns have a series of “brown bag” lunch discussions with WOLA staff and representatives from other non-profits, foundations, governments, and multilateral institutions. Washington, DC serves as an additional classroom for interns, providing opportunities to attend NGO coalition meetings, congressional hearings, and other discussions and events to learn more about issues in Latin America.

WOLA’s internship program is named in honor of Sally Yudelman—for her commitment and contribution to WOLA and the cause of social justice. Following Sally’s example, we hope to provide unique mentoring opportunities through internships, encouraging the next generation of young people to get involved in advocating for human rights in Latin America.

Communications Internships -
Communications interns assist with social media, the website, press outreach, coordinating press lists, video filming and editing, and a variety of other responsibilities as a part of the communications team. The position provides an unique look at the intersection of strategic communications, social media, press work, and the promotion of human rights in Latin America.

Foreign Policy Internships -
Policy interns are each assigned to one of five programmatic areas at WOLA. Within each program, interns take on a wide range of tasks; on any given day, one intern might attend a hearing on Capitol Hill while another translates a press release and another conducts research for a memo. 

Application Instructions:

Approximately 30% of the internship is administrative in nature—answering phones, helping with clerical needs, or working on a specific task. All other time is spent on substantive work. The internship is unpaid. Interns are required to work 32 hours per week during the summer and 24 hours per week during the school year. While internships are unpaid, we offer an academically and professional enriching environment for interns to learn and grow.

Interested applicants should have a demonstrated interest in human rights, democracy and social justice in Latin America; initiative and flexibility; the ability to work in a fast-paced environment; good organizational skills; follow-through and attention to detail. Spanish proficiency is strongly recommended. Technical skills are highly desired.

Latin American and minority students are encouraged to apply. In general, the Yudelman Internship Program is not open to either graduate students or to students who have already graduated due to its significant administrative component.

In order to be considered for an internship, WOLA needs the following materials: 

1) Cover letter in which you state:

• That you understand the internship is unpaid.
• Your specific dates of availability.
• Your willingness to work at least 24 hours per week (32 horus per week for summer internships).
• Your internship preference (communications or policy).
• Why you want to intern at WOLA, an idea of your specific interests regarding Latin America, and your Spanish language abilities.

2) Resume.

3) The names of 2 references with email addresses and daytime phone numbers.

4) Writing sample (no more than 2-3 pages) in English on a topic of your choice. It can be a paper you submitted for a class.