The Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) – a US-based organization dedicated to cross-border solidarity and grassroots mobilization – is looking for a qualified and committed individual to serve as our in-country liaison with social movement partners in El Salvador.

Position: CISPES Representative in El Salvador
Application deadline: Until position is filled
Start date: Flexible, but ideally between March 15-April 1, 2018
Duration: One-year minimum commitment, though two or longer is preferred
Location: San Salvador, El Salvador with occasional travel throughout the country and to the United States
Reimbursement and benefits: Monthly living stipend, healthcare, generous vacation, dependent care stipend if applicable.

TO APPLY:
Email a cover letter and resume to Alexis Stoumbelis, Executive Director, CISPES National Office (Washington, DC), [email protected]. Please call (202) 521-2510 ext. 205 with any questions.

Your cover letter should be 1-2 pages and address the following: your knowledge of El Salvador’s history and current context; your knowledge of the history and current context of US policy in Latin America and, more specifically, El Salvador; why you believe international solidarity is important; and why you believe this position would be a good fit for you.

CISPES is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People of color, women, LGBTQI individuals, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND: 


Since 1980, CISPES has been working in solidarity with the Salvadoran social movement and the FMLN (Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front) to promote a just alternative to the oppressive, US-backed policies of the Salvadoran right-wing.

Our current US campaigns focus on:
1) Challenging US policies and actions by multi-national corporations that undermine self-determination and economic justice
2) Supporting the transformative social programs of El Salvador’s leftist government & strengthening cross-border solidarity with social movement organizations in El Salvador

CISPES chapters across the country also play an active role in coalitions to:
• Advance struggles for migrant rights
• Oppose US military and police aid in Latin America, including under the banner of the “War on Drugs”
• Build a broad-based movement to challenge neoliberal globalization

JOB DESCRIPTION:
CISPES’ representative in El Salvador plays a critical role as liaison with our political allies and social movement partners, including labor unions, student groups, women’s organizations, campesina/o federations and broader social movement coordination bodies. Responsibilities of the San Salvador Representative include:

News Updates and Analysis: Keep CISPES informed of current events in El Salvador and help develop the analysis that CISPES uses to determine its strategy and program.  Specific work areas include monitoring Salvadoran news sources, researching specific topics, and writing weekly news updates as well as the occasional article.

Social Movement Coordination: Maintain relationships with various organizations in the Salvadoran social movement and coordinate efforts with allied US organizations. Specific work areas include meeting with partners to determine short- and long-term needs for international solidarity, consulting with key partners on CISPES’s strategy and program, representing CISPES at events and activities, and meeting with other US-El Salvador solidarity organizations to coordinate collaboration on common program and work areas.

Cross-Border Solidarity Program: Specific work areas include coordinating delegations from the US (typically 1-2 per year), preparing Salvadoran partners for speaking tours in the US, writing and/or circulating press releases, and other tasks as determined by our specific campaigns and program.

Grants: Collaborate on CISPES Education Fund’s Strategic Organizing Fund, which provides small grants to grassroots organizations on the frontlines of the struggle in El Salvador. Specific work areas include guiding our partners through the application process, advising the CISPES Education Fund Board of Directors on potential grant recipients, monitoring projects, and conducting evaluations with grant recipients.

Office Management: Specific work areas include very simple bookkeeping, paying bills, and office equipment upkeep. (This typically amounts to less than five hours of work a week.)

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required

• Fluent in Spanish and English; ability to convey information and analysis through written communication in English; strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills in English and Spanish
• Experience with the Latin America or Central America solidarity movement
• Strong understanding of US policy in Latin America, especially the impacts of neoliberal globalization and militarization
• Agreement with CISPES’s mission statement, anti-oppression statement and organizing model, including democratic decision-making processes
• Commitment to CISPES’ solidarity model and to respecting long-term relationships with social movement partners
• Willingness and ability to abide by strict security guidelines
• Ability to work independently, to take initiative, and to be self-organized and self-motivated.

Preferred

• Previous experience living and working in El Salvador, Central America or Latin America
• Grassroots organizing experience
• Strong writing skills
• Previous experience working with CISPES, including as an activist or chapter volunteer/organizer
• Spanish-English interpretation and written translation skills
• Applicants interested in committing to longer than 1 year strongly preferred

TO APPLY:
Email a cover letter and resume to Alexis Stoumbelis, Executive Director, CISPES National Office (Washington, DC), [email protected]. Please call (202) 521-2510 ext. 205 with any questions.

Your cover letter should be 1-2 pages and address the following: your knowledge of El Salvador’s history and current context; your knowledge of the history and current context of US policy in Latin America and, more specifically, El Salvador; why you believe international solidarity is important; and why you believe this position would be a good fit for you.

CISPES is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. People of color, women, LGBTQI individuals, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.