portal resources jobs companies l limitless horizons ixil development and communications specialist

Development and Communications Specialist 🔥


Application Deadline: ASAP (We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and filling the position as soon as we find the right candidate)

Start Date: ASAP 

Location: Flexible within Guatemala including Antigua, Guatemala; Guatemala City, Guatemala; Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Limitless Horizons Ixil, a Guatemalan NGO and US 501c3, is hiring an Development and Communications Specialist during a time of great excitement and growth for our organization. Our work began in 2004, in our rural, war-torn, indiginous Maya community without resources or opportunities for girls to study past primary school. Through our research-proven programs, we greatly improved the ability for girls to attend school, graduate from high school, and even be the first in the community to go on to university or pursue a master's degree. In 2022 we took the next step, opening a girl focused middle and high school in Chajul, which is transforming the educational landscape in our community and allowing youth to receive a full day of safe, high quality, and holistic education with mentorship support, nutritious meals, and a curriculum which includes leadership, entrepreneurship, and gender equity. Apply today for the opportunity to join us in transforming educational opportunities through our cutting edge new school in rural Guatemala. For more information and a video about our school visit: limitlesshorizonsixil.org/school/ [1] 

Position Description: The Development and Communications Specialist will work remotely from Antigua, Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala or other satellite location, leading and overseeing management of our sponsorship program, and assisting with fundraising and communications efforts. S/he also coordinates and leads the organization’s community engagement trips to the remote indigenous community of Chajul, Guatemala (when possible), and will support with staff supervision and mentorship as needed. 

We seek a relationship-oriented, flexible, independent, and highly organized team member with excellent communications and interpersonal skills. We are looking for a strategic thinker who is able to multi-task and focus on the details, while overseeing and working with our Director of Development to develop high-level strategy. Outstanding verbal and written communication skills are essential, and design and photography skills are a plus. The ideal candidate will excel in representing the organization with diverse audiences and be able to compellingly convey the mission of the organization across all communication channels. The Development and Communications Specialist will report to the Director of Development & Communications (based in the US) and work in partnership with the rest of the Guatemalan and international team.

Working with Limitless Horizons Ixil is a tremendous opportunity for personal and professional growth; team members are given significant responsibility and independence in their work and are mentored by the Executive Director, colleagues, and the Board of Directors. We are led by a strong, passionate, and committed local indigenous staff, the majority of whom are women. The work is challenging, exhilarating, and could be the most rewarding endeavor you ever undertake.

Organizational Overview: Limitless Horizons Ixil is a non-religious, non-partisan Guatemala-based organization. Our mission is to create opportunities for the indigenous youth, women, and families of Chajul, Guatemala to develop the academic and professional skills needed to effect change in their lives and community. See tinyurl.com/LHIoverview [2] for more organizational info.

Limitless Horizons Ixil achieves its goals through the integration of its core programs:

  • Colegio Horizontes [3] is the innovative middle school we opened in January 2022, led by Ixil women. Our school began with a class of 24 7th graders and will expand by adding a grade each year until we reach full capacity (6 grades), and will provide high-quality middle and high school education to indigenous youth in Chajul. Colegio Horizontes brings culturally responsive, rigorous, and engaging academics to Chajul for the first time, opening doors for girls to attend and thrive in school along with a small group of boy allies. Students will be part of a new generation of civic-minded youth who are academically prepared for college and well-paying careers. 
  • The Youth Development Program has been very successful in supporting over 225 youth (mostly girls, for whom the need is greatest) to attend middle and high school and pursue their dreams. This program is phasing out as students graduate from high school as we’ve incorporated its services into the new school.
  • The Saber Sin Límites (Limitless Knowledge) Community Library serves nearly 500 active members in person when the library is open, while offering the entire community access to around 10,000 books and literacy programming, academic support, and other resources.
  • The Emerging Leaders Program provides alumni with ongoing support in their transitions to university, employment, and/or entrepreneurship.

 

Consultant Deliverables   

Communications, Fundraising, and Donor Relations  

  • Execute fundraising and communication strategies 
  • Coordinate and make donor thank you calls and create and send donor thank you letters, cards, videos, and receipts
  • Support with fundraising campaigns 
  • Support with communications (including drafting and publishing newsletters, blogs, social media, and other communication materials) 
  • Maintain and update giving platforms including creating and submitting required reports. 

Database Management

  • Update eTapestry database and create reports as needed, including entering checks and external communications. 

Sponsorship Program 

  • Manage relationships between sponsors and scholars in our Youth Development Program (including coordinating tri-yearly letter exchanges, and keeping sponsors informed of program developments) 
  • Ensure that accurate records in sponsorship database are maintained 
  • Recruit and maintain sponsors 

Community Engagement & Tourism

  • Assist with LHI’s sustainable tourism trips, including marketing, communications, planning and logistics 
  • Lead student and adult groups and/or important funders a few times a year

Collaborate with Executive Director on Key Elements of Organizational Management 

  • Oversee hiring and training of Guatemala-based international staff 1 or 2 times a year
  • Support with overall organizational fundraising and communication strategy 

 

Qualifications 

Required 

  • At least 2 years of relevant professional work experience and a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field 
  • Willing to travel to the isolated and developing community of Chajul, Guatemala several times a year for training and to lead trips 
  • Experience in fundraising, and development
  • Experience in writing and communications  
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and a relationship-oriented work ethic 
  • Excellent independent worker, prepared for the challenges of working remotely 
  • Flexible, patient, diplomatic, and friendly, with a positive attitude 
  • Experience living in a developing country (Latin America preferred) 
  • Fluent in English (native or near-native proficiency) and excellent verbal and written communication skills in Spanish 
  • Interested in international development and indigenous communities and respectful of local cultures 
  • Extremely detail-oriented and organized 
  • Responsible, reliable, and proactive 
  • Reflective and eager to learn 

Preferred 

  • 3-5 years of relevant professional work experience 
  • Experience leading trips or activities 
  • Experience in design, video, and/or photography 
  • Experience with donor databases 

 

Compensation and Benefits 

This position will be structured as a contractor position. LHI provides an hourly compensation of $10 USD for an average of 35-40 hours of work per week, depending on availability and project-based workload; Reimbursements for certain work-related expenses and/or bonuses may be available. LHI seeks a long-term partnership and hopes to work with the consultant for at least 2 years. While on work trips or leading trips in Chajul, LHI covers rent in our international staff house, transportation costs and/or provides accommodation in a hotel. 

 

Level of Language Proficiency 

English (native or bilingual proficiency) 

Spanish (full professional proficiency) 


  1. https://limitlesshorizonsixil.org/school/
  2. https://tinyurl.com/LHIoverview
  3. https://limitlesshorizonsixil.org/school/

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