Advocacy Advisor – Guyana Program

TITLE: Advocacy Advisor – Guyana Program

LOCATION: Georgetown, Guyana

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-time, 6 months - temporary position, local hire

DEPARTMENT: Programs

SUPERVISING MANAGER: Policy Director

DIRECT REPORTS: N/A 

About Rainforest Foundation US

For over 30 years, Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) has worked to address climate change and safeguard biodiversity by promoting the rights of indigenous peoples and supporting their efforts to protect and defend their rainforests. Science shows that forests managed by indigenous peoples are healthier, suffer less deforestation, capture more carbon, and contain more biodiversity than forests managed by private or public entities--including nationally protected areas. What’s more, scientists tell us that protecting forests is as important as reducing greenhouse emissions if we hope to stem the tide of ecological collapse.

RFUS works in partnership with indigenous communities and their representative organizations to protect tropical rainforests by supporting their efforts to secure rights to their lands, strengthen monitoring and land security, influence laws and policies that protect their resources, and build strong and sustainable community leadership. By investing directly in indigenous communities, RFUS connects the people rooted in the land with the tools, training, and resources to be effective advocates and protectors of the forests they call home. RFUS currently operates four country programs in Brazil, Guyana, Panama, and Peru, and hosts a number of regional partnerships in Central America, the Amazon Basin, and internationally with the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities.

About the Position

In 2021, the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) launched a project with the support of the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative and in alliance with the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) and the Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS). It seeks to promote and enable improved implementation of REDD+ safeguards and support for community-driven solutions. It will produce, validate, and publicly disseminate updated information from the field, which can be used by government and international agencies in shaping policies on land and forests (including Low Carbon Development Strategy and REDD+ programs) in Guyana, to best reflect international best practice and protect the rights of indigenous peoples in Guyana.

The Advocacy advisor will provide strategic support to RFUS, to the APA advocacy team, the North Pakaraimas District Council (NPDC), South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) and Upper Mazaruni District Council (UMDC) to strengthen the advocacy capacity of indigenous peoples in Guyana.

IMPORTANT: It is a temporary 6-month position linked to specific funding. The position's temporary status can be extended if funding allows it. 

Main responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Support for advocacy (50%)

• Support partner advocacy campaigns and direct engagement with key governmental actors, civil society, media, and international agencies.

• Prepare advocacy materials for indigenous peoples on Amerindian Act, carbon market issues, LCDS, and other policy issues as they are prioritized;

Support for District Councils (25%)

• Liaise with District Councils to support planning, strategy development, advocacy planning and outreach, and related project implementation;

• Prepare education materials for communities, including on land rights, indigenous rights and governance;

• Coordinate with District Council Advocacy Officers to advance national advocacy goals

Program Coordination (25%)

• Support general program coordination between RFUS, APA and the District Councils, including work planning, communication and budget alignment.

And any other duties as assigned or needed to help drive to our Vision, fulfill our Mission, and abide by our Organization’s Values.

Requirements

• At least 2 years’ experience in grassroots public policy advocacy with a non-governmental or indigenous organization

• Experience working with indigenous communities and organizations in Guyana

• Experience in designing and implementing public policy advocacy strategies for a social justice cause

• Demonstrate superior writing skills and experience translating policies and scientific data for lay and policymaker audiences

• Proven success in overseeing the development of a range of communications and press materials for advocacy campaigns

• Familiarity with the range of strategies for multifaceted advocacy campaigning, including coalition building, negotiation, lobbying, and direct action

• Possess highly attuned interpersonal skills and experience working constructively across teams to manage multiple priorities on short deadlines

• Possess highly attuned intercultural skills and the ability to work effectively with grassroots indigenous leaders, policymakers, and civil society organizations

• Willingness to travel into the field regularly to engage with partners at grassroots level

Languages

• Full professional proficiency in English is required

• Professional working proficiency in either Spanish or Portuguese is preferred.

• Local Indigenous language knowledge is desirable.

Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

​​Rainforest Foundation US does not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. Black, indigenous, and people of color are highly encouraged to apply.

Compensation and Benefits: 

It is a local hire position in Guyana. The salary for this position is based on a non-negotiable GYD equivalent of USD 26,000 a year, which means the GYD equivalent of USD 2,166.66 per month during the contract duration. Compensation and benefits will be according to the Guyana Labor Regulations.

Application Instructions: 

• RFUS aims to fill the position by July 1.
• Interested applicants are encouraged to apply early and advised to carefully study the job description to ensure they meet the requirements and skills we are looking for.
• Applications will not be considered without the submission of a resume and cover letter.
• Please note that the position will be listed as open until filled. Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be contacted.
• The candidate must possess the legal requirements to work in Guyana; Rainforest Foundation US will not sponsor visas for international candidates.
• To apply visit: https://rainforestfoundation.org/about/join-our-team/