Location: Remote consultancy position based in Guatemala (Antigua or Quetzaltenango preferred; strong internet connection required). Mexico is an option for the right fit.
Application Deadline: June 3, 2019
Start Date: July 1, 2019
Organization Overview
Limitless Horizons Ixil (LHI) is a non-religious, non-partisan Guatemala-based organization with legal status in Guatemala and 501(c)(3) status in the United States. LHI creates 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.
Consultancy Overview
The Development and Communications Consultant will work remotely from Antigua or Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala or another satellite location, leading and overseeing management of our sponsorship program, and assisting with grant-writing and fundraising and communications efforts, ensuring a donor- centered approach. S/he also coordinates and leads the organization’s community engagement trips to the remote indigenous community of Chajul, Guatemala, and will support with staff supervision and mentorship as needed.
We seek a creative, motivated, flexible, independent, and highly organized individual to help lead the organization through an exciting period of growth. We are looking for a strategic thinker and experienced project manager who is able to multi-task and focus on details, while overseeing and developing 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. This consultancy position will collaborate with the Executive Director, Senior Manager of Development & Communications, board members, and volunteers in the US, as well as with staff in Guatemala.
Consultant Deliverables
Communications, Fundraising, and Donor Relations
How to Apply
Email resume and cover letter to [email protected] with “Development and Communications Consultant”. [Your Name]” in the subject line. Only successful candidates will be contacted. If selected for an interview, references and work/writing samples may be requested.
LHI achieves its goals through the integration of four core programs:
- The Youth Development Program supports middle and high school education for youth who would not otherwise have the means to continue their education past primary school. The program provides youth with scholarships and a comprehensive range of support services, including tutoring, computer and Spanish language classes, a work-study program, mentorship, and life-skills workshops.
- Our Emerging Leaders Program provides alumni with career development opportunities and ongoing support in their post-secondary transitions to university, employment, or entrepreneurship.
- LHI also founded and operates Chajul’s first and only community library. The library serves 50 to 100 visitors daily and provides access to around 9,000 books.
- The Artisan Program provides women with the opportunity to earn a fair wage using their traditional weaving skills.
- Execute fundraising and communication strategies
- Support with fundraising campaigns
- Design and write mid-year and annual reports
- Manage development of related communications materials (including drafting and publishing newsletters, blogs, and other communication materials)
- Manage online presence, including social media outlets
- Complete reports to staff, board, partners, and major donors
- 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
- Oversee grant writing, processing, and reporting.
- Produce timely reports to grantors on the use of funding
- Assist with LHI’s sustainable tourism trips, including marketing, communications, planning and logistics
- Lead student and adult groups
- Ensure that accurate records in donor database are maintained by all staff and board
- Oversee development of donor-related and organizational communications, including e- newsletters, appeals, website, and grants
- Oversee hiring and training of Guatemala-based international staff
- Supervise international staff on specific communications projects
- Support with overall organizational fundraising and communication strategy
- 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 community engagement trips.
- Experience in fundraising, donor development and/or grant-writing
- 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
- Must be a United States or Guatemalan resident
- 3-5 years of relevant professional work experience
- Experience writing grants
- Experience leading trips or activities
- Experience in design, video, and/or photography
- Experience working on capital campaigns
- Experience with donor databases
The Development and Communications Consultant will work remotely from a location with reliable internet in Guatemala or Mexico, preferably in Antigua or Quetzaltenango. S/he will travel frequently to the organization’s main office in Chajul, Guatemala, in the Department of Quiché in the western highlands of Guatemala. Limitless Horizons Ixil serves Chajul, which consists of an urban center (pop. 20,000) and many outlying rural villages (pop. 30,000). Having been at the heart of Guatemala’s 36-year civil war, Chajul experiences post-war challenges such as land displacement and fragmented families. Within the community, 84% of families live in poverty with 27% in extreme poverty. Limited educational opportunity remains a significant impediment to progress, with only 11% of youth in Chajul graduating from middle school.