The Stephen Coats Memorial Fellowship
Purpose:
The Stephen Coats Memorial Fellow is a one year fellowship to promote workers’ rights in Latin America and build transnational support for worker organizers in the region.
Experience required:
This position requires knowledge of international labor rights and the challenges related to their application in Latin America. Ideal candidates will have worked with a labor union and/or a small, fast-paced NGO and is an independent, innovative and driven individual. Applicant must be fluent in Spanish, possess strong writing skills, and the ability to work effectively in diverse coalitions. The position is available with a preferred start date in June 2015.
Fellow responsibilities include:
Campaign Engagement & Fundraising
- Work directly with union and NGO partners in Latin America to challenge labor rights abuses in selected strategic industries, including bananas, palm oil, and apparel;
- Design and implement a campaign for U.S. brands and supermarkets to uphold banana workers’ rights in their supply chains;
- Travel to the region to conduct research and strengthen ILRFs relationship with key allies;
- Engage and grow the USLEAP program’s supporter base via email communications, fundraising mailings, website updates and engagement, and the creation and mailing of semi-annual newsletters and other communications; and
- Assist with grant proposal writing and reporting for Latin American funding opportunities.
Legal and Policy Responsibilities
- Assist ILRF legal and policy staff to prepare various non-judicial complaints against governments and corporations who violate or are complicit in the violation of workers’ fundamental rights;
- Monitor the performance of the social auditing industry on enforcing labor rights in the region, including publicizing the certification of union-busting companies as “sustainable” producers; and
- Represent ILRF in various coalitions promoting labor and human rights in Latin America.
Qualifications:
- One year’s travel and/or work experience in Latin America is strongly recommended.
- Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and organize work streams.
- Social Media and technology savvy to lead engagement with program supporters.
- Ability to multi-task and work effectively within coalitions.
- Fluency in Spanish, written and oral.
- Bachelor’s degree required and graduate degree preferred.
Salary commensurate with experience; excellent benefits. To apply, email cover letter, resume, and a sample of policy-related writing or a copy of a report here by May 25, 2015.