Central America Campaign Organizer

Organizational Background

Global Labor Justice- International Labor Rights Forum (GLJ-ILRF) is a new merged organization bringing strategic capacity to cross sectoral work on global value chains and labor migration corridors. GLJ-ILRF holds global corporations accountable for labor rights violations in their supply chains; advances policies and laws that protect decent work and just migration; and strengthens freedom of association, new forms of bargaining, and worker organizations.

Position Summary

GLJ- ILRF seeks a campaign organizer to build off of decades of work in Latin America supporting union partners and migrant worker organizations in running multi-dimensional transnational campaigns. The campaign organizer will be in direct contact with union leaders and union staff in Latin America and work to support them in leveraging power on companies and governments in support of workers and migrant rights. The position reports to GLJ-ILRF’s Field Director. Responsibilities include identifying arenas for union partners to pressure targets in the US and other regions, co-developing campaign strategy proposals for partners, building and executing rapid response to retaliation or other urgent requests from partners and overall campaign coordination with partners, allies and GLJ-ILRF team members.

Key Responsibilities

Develop and maintain key partnerships with unions, union federations, independent worker organizations and migrant worker organizations in Central America.

  • Build trust through deep and respectful listening and partnership that follows the lead of directly affected worker organizations.
  • Work with new and existing partners to identify campaign priorities and surface strategic fights.
  • Know the region: track and engage emerging political opportunities, social movements and trends.

Provide anti-retaliation support to Latin American union leaders and members who come under threat for organizing, especially COLSIBA leadership.

  • Organize rapid response to retaliation including demonstration, petitions, etc. Work with the communications department to secure media coverage when organizers suffer reprisals for speaking out or come under attack for organizing.
  • Proactively work with partners to build anti-retaliation strategies.
  • Work with the Legal and Policy Director to engage government agencies and secure US policy makers’ support to press for justice and protection for labor rights defenders.

Coordinate with core partners, global allies and our team to co-develop campaign strategy

  • Following the leadership of our partners in the region work to pull together the best strategic thinking possible to offer to unions in the transnational fights.
  • Integrate the expertise of our team departments into strategy including communications, research, strategic legal and congressional advocacy.
  • Learn, understand and manage the different interests of ally organizations and work to build with aligned groups to support the core goals of our partners and of GLJ-ILRF.

Exercise Campaign pressure

  • Following the leadership of our partners in the region coordinate comprehensive global campaigns to pressure the company decision makers and government actors to support the goals of workers.
  • Working with partners and our team, build and engage allies who can pressure the company in various part of the world.
  • Execute escalating campaigns that systematically create a crisis for companies, so workers win.

Documentation and Research

  • Through deep accompaniment of core partners in the region draw lessons and look for opportunities to bring strategic lessons from Central American to US and other regional partners.
  • Work with core partners to document conditions towards campaign materials in coordination with communications, policy, and research departments.

Qualifications:

  • At least five years organizing experience in a labor or migrant rights organization/union
  • Experience in corporate campaigns
  • Fluent in Spanish and English
  • Excellent communicator who can quickly understand new contexts and build trust
  • Excellent writing and editing skills
  • Highly organized and detail-oriented
  • Proficiency in tech skills to work remotely
  • Ability to work well under pressure, manage multiple work streams
  • Interest and availability to travel, particularly within Latin America

Values

  • Deep belief in the collective power of workers and worker organizations
  • Deep commitment to working in support and alliance with unions in Latin America
  • Humility and curiosity
  • Consciences about our role as a US based group collaborating with partners in Latin America
  • Anti-racist and gender justice approach
  • Team player – collaborates cross project, default is to over communicate within the team, constructive force for unity within the organization
  • Driven and self-motivated

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with corporate and financial accountability research
  • Knowledge and experience of regional and global labor and human rights accountability mechanisms
  • Experience organizing workplace actions, demonstrations, creative actions, and educational events
  • Experience with digital campaigning
  • Portuguese fluency
  • Experience as a trainer, workshop leader, public speaker

Job status: Full-time, exempt, member of IFPTE Local 70 Bargaining Unit

Salary Range: $60,000- $70,000 plus benefits including full medical coverage for employee and family.

Supervisor: Field Director

Location: Washington, D.C.; Remote work also considered.

GLJ- ILRF is an equal opportunity employer and actively recruits women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and persons with diverse gender and sexual identities. This description does not constitute an employment contract, implied or otherwise.