Advocacy Specialist

About RRI

The Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition of over 150 organizations dedicated to advancing the forest, land, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Afro-descendant Peoples, and in particular the women within these groups. RRIs members capitalize on each others strengths, expertise, and geographic reach to achieve solutions more effectively and efficiently. 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.

If you are passionate about working with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples in the Global South to strengthen their rights, development, and environmental efforts, this could be the place for you. For more information, check out our current openings.

Studies show people of color, people from Indigenous and local communities, women, and LGBTQ persons are less likely to apply for positions unless they meet every qualification. RRI strongly encourages candidates to apply even if they dont meet every required qualification, as all applications will be accepted, reviewed, and evaluated equally. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Advocacy Specialist

The Advocacy Specialist will amplify RRIs coalition members existing local campaigns, land and resource rights advocacy, and the leadership of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples. Reporting to the Director, Strategic Communications, the Advocacy Specialist will support campaigns generated by coalition members in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

This is a full-time position based in Washington, DC. Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the country they apply for and be in the DC metro area before the start date.RRI has a hybrid work schedule with the opportunity to telework on Mondays and Fridays.

Primary Responsibilities

Campaigns and Outreach (40%)

• Guide Indigenous and community rights-holder advocates in transforming their campaigns from local to global audiences by linking them to international issues and platforms.
• Conduct background research of campaign issues at stake, analyze how international support can support a resolution, and assess the risks to the campaigners.
• Lead the outreach and campaign selection process, ensuring clear internal communication and coordination with community advocates and RRI advisors.
• For selected campaigns, guide and advise on the strategy and methodologies for global campaigning, including identifying effective mediums, target audiences, KPIs and metrics, and dissemination strategies in close collaboration with community advocates.
• Along with RRIs communications team, help develop campaign-specific content targeting global audiences on social media and other mediums.
• Develop tactics to reach targets and decision makers in consultation with leaders of rightsholders organizations, RRI advisers, and specialists depending on the sector involved (for example, private sector, human rights, and regional and international bodies).

Help build Indigenous and community rights-holders organizations campaigning capacity and knowledge to help them become effective advocates. (30%)

• Link each campaign to RRIs research and knowledge base for community rights and support the effective dissemination and use of its data tools for advocacy. This includes organizing the translation of technical analyses into plain-language fact sheets.
• In collaboration with RRIs Communications team and based on needs identified by community advocates, organize training workshops to build the communitys advocacy and campaigning capacity.
• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned for trainees and ensure exchange of information.

Support the Communications Team with messaging, production, and dissemination of its ongoing communications deliverables. (30%)

• Contribute to messaging and talking points for RRIs global campaigns, events, and media engagements to support leadership and spokespeople, as needed.
• Contribute to writing, editing, and creative production of RRIs digital and multimedia products to support its advocacy goals as needed.
• Support effective dissemination of RRIs research and advocacy materials to changemakers and coalition members to maximize their use.
• Participate in communications planning with regional, thematic, and tenure tracking teams to capitalize upon key advocacy opportunities throughout the year.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in communications or related discipline is preferred.
• At least three years of experience working as a campaigner, community organizer, or communications professional in the human rights sector.
• Experience organizing and/or supporting public campaigns to benefit vulnerable Indigenous or local communities
• Excellent writing and copy-editing skills in English. Proficiency in Spanish and French is highly desired.
• Experience supporting online knowledge creation and management.
• Working knowledge of graphic design tools.
• Experience in the use of social media and online petition tools.
• Strong virtual communications skills and familiarity with running online meetings.
• Demonstrated skills influencing public opinion and/or policymakers using compelling and innovative advocacy tools.

Submission Guidelines

Please submit the following documents with your application:

1. CV/Resume
2. At least two examples of campaigns you have worked on, describing in up to 250 words each the issue, the ask, the campaign result, and your role.
3. One writing sample in English of no more than 700 words, ideally an article or blog post describing a campaigns impact or goals.

Salary Range: $57,500 - $72,100 USD.

Benefits:

Rights and Resources 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 benefits 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 (US) or Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan (Canada) with employer match
• 25 days of PTO, in addition to paid holidays
• Flextime and teleworking options
• Tuition reimbursement up to $1,500 per year after 1 full year of employment
• Dynamic growth opportunities with a merit-based promotion philosophy

Rights and Resources 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, Rights and Resources 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.