Grant Writer and Researcher

Who we are: The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) is a leading research and advocacy organization advancing human rights in the Americas. We envision a future where public policies protect human rights and recognize human dignity. We create strategic partnerships with courageous people making social change: advocacy organizations, academics, religious and business leaders, artists, and government officials. We are passionate about our work and strive to make our organization a healthy and safe space for all the work and feel appreciated. WOLA supports our staff with a culture of innovation, collaboration, understanding, and integrity.

Our development team works to increase and expand the philanthropic partnerships that make WOLA’s human rights advocacy possible. Our fundraising work is split between individual giving and institutional partnerships.

Your role: This role will be integral to our institutional partnerships strategy, managing WOLA’s grants portfolio and supporting the cultivation and stewardship of institutional donors, including foundations and governments. (Please note that WOLA does not accept funds from the United States government.) They will be responsible for drafting concept notes, grant proposals and reports, and other written materials as necessary, as well as for researching new fundraising opportunities. Most of these materials will be written in English, but occasional communications and documents in Spanish are required. They will also track deadlines, process grants accurately, and censure compliance with grant and reporting requirements. This person should be passionate about social change and understand the value and strategic function of fundraising in creating that change. They should be an extraordinary writer with professional writing experience and a passion for human rights and social justice.

Reports to: Vice President for External Relations

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Manage WOLA’s foundation and international government grants portfolio (65%)

• Draft concept notes, proposals and reports; manage the proposal and report-editing process;
• Work with the finance team to ensure the completion of budgets and financial reporting;
• Track deadlines, inputting grants data and funder communication in WOLA’s online database; and
• Educate staff to ensure they understand the compliance requirements of grant contracts.

Assist with prospecting, cultivation, and stewardship of grant supporters (25%)

• Support the VIce President in managing foundation and international government donor relations;
• Identify and research new potential foundations and non-U.S. government donors and assist with building strategies to cultivate them;
• Write emails updated to funders; and
• Provide talking points or background information on funders to WOLA’s development team and program staff.

Provide high-level writing and editing support (10%)

• Write and/or edit institutional products such as email send-outs, proposals, reports for major donors, etc.

Qualifications: We view this section as a guide, not a checklist. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t satisfy every bullet on this list.

• Full written and spoken fluency in English. Spanish ability is helpful but not required.
• At least four years of experience writing foundation grants and/or reports for nonprofits.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills.
• Interest in international public policy, particularly in Latin America, and a demonstrated commitment to social justice and human rights.
• Strong research abilities and familiarity with foundation research tools.
• Experience with fundraising contact management systems is desirable.
• The ability to take detailed academic-like ideas and condense them into an easy-to-understand written product.
• Additional job requirements: possible overseas travel; full-time position; occasional long hours and weekend work required.
• Office Culture: While we prefer this role be located in the greater DMV area, we are willing to consider a remote employee that is based in the U.S. Generally, our office setting is flexible and hybrid, and you are not required to work from the office daily. There will be events and travel that require in-person attendance regardless of location.

Salary: $62,000-75,000 dependent on experience and skills. Benefits include full health, dental, vision, and life insurance 100% paid by WOLA, four weeks annual vacation, four weeks of sick leave, and twelve weeks of parental leave. The office is closed between Christmas and New Year’s.

Deadline: Accepting rolling applications and conducting interviews as packets are received. The job posting will stay up until the role is hired.

Start Date: As soon as possible.

To apply: Please submit a 1-2 page resume, a 1-2 page cover letter, and a 2 page writing sample to employment@wola.org. The cover letter should indicate why you are interested in this role specifically and your background with institutional partnerships. During the interview you Spanish speaking and writing skills will be tested for proficiency. If we are interested in your candidacy, you will receive an email within three weeks of your application.

Benefits include full health, dental, vision, and life insurance 100% paid by WOLA, four weeks annual vacation, four weeks of sick leave, and twelve weeks of parental leave. The office is closed between Christmas and New Year’s.

Full written and spoken fluency in English. Spanish ability is helpful but not required.