International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights
Location: Washington, DC
Start date: ASAP
The International Institute on Race, Equality and Human Rights is a human rights organization created in 2014 working in partnership with local activists in Latin America to build grass roots movements that promote and protect the rights of populations marginalized because of gender, ethnicity, race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
Race and Equality has a dynamic capacity-building approach to promote human rights race and combat discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Our work largely focuses on the rights of Afro-Latinos, LGBTI people, indigenous peoples, women and other marginalized communities. Using a combination of litigation, community mobilization, human rights reporting, research and advocacy methodology at the domestic and international level, we join our partners in developing and implementing strategies for change. We work with our partners to combat racial discrimination and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) through a holistic multi-faceted approach. Critical to this work is expanding the role of NGOs representing marginalized communities at the regional level. Hence our program includes building the capacity of our partners to advocate for the full incorporation of discrimination issues at the Organization of American States (OAS) and litigation within the Inter-American Human Rights System, in coordination with domestic litigation, policy advocacy and community mobilization. Using the Universal System is crucial for the advancement of human rights, in particular the Treaty Bodies, Special Procedures Mandates, and the Universal Periodic Review. Race and Equality works extensively in the UN system.
About the Position: The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of racial justice with a particular focus on the Afro-descendant population from Latin America, policy development to design and oversee a pressing racial justice portfolio for more racially just policies in the future. The candidate also needs to have experience in engaging movements to drive policy change at the national and local levels in the countries where we work, and in reducing inequality through policy development, organizing, advocacy, research and analysis, and capacity.
Responsibilities: Working in close partnership with our partners, the Executive Director and other team members to accomplish assigned tasks. Duties include organizing/conducting human rights trainings; coordinate research and analyses of racial impacts in different areas which will be assigned depending on the hire’s areas of interests and abilities; and writing reports, memos, and press work. Other duties include translation of documents into English, Spanish and/or Portuguese; copy-editing and formatting documents; assisting with the logistical coordination of public and virtual events, conferences, and delegations; attending OAS meetings and other public events; researching Racial Justice funding opportunities; and staying informed about racial and afro[1]descendant issues in different UN bodies. Other duties not listed here, provide administrative, logistical, and financial support, including possibility of limited travel.
Qualifications: Advanced university degree in Law, Political Science, or related field. Specialized study of human rights and racial justice preferred. Three (3) to five (5) years of experience working on Racial Justice or Afro-descendant human rights issues or related field on Latin America / USA. Mature political judgment and knowledge of Latin American. Knowledge of/experience with Afro-descendant human rights issues in the region preferred. Highly organized and methodical. Good judgement, ability to quickly problem-solve and work under tight deadlines. Able to collaborate and work well with diverse groups. Fluency in Spanish is essential, strong knowledge of Portuguese is helpful. Must be US citizen or legal resident with work permit.
Salary: Commensurate with experience and scale in non-governmental organizations.
Apply: No calls please. Send immediately cover letter, resume, and writing samples in English and Spanish by email to jobs@raceandequality.org.
Afro-descendants, women and LGBTI persons are encouraged to apply.
Race and Equality is an equal opportunity employ.
