Lead Researcher and Analyst

Organizational Background:

Heartland Alliance International (HAI) is a service-based human rights organization committed to protecting and promoting the rights of extremely vulnerable populations through an inclusive approach to comprehensive health and social and economic justice. One hundred percent of HAI programs apply a progressive approach to protecting and promoting the rights of extremely vulnerable populations that are frequently excluded or forgotten by more traditional development programming. HAI is an industry leader in several specialized, often high risk and politically-sensitive programs areas. HAI works with children who have been trafficked, engaged in armed combat, and have suffered violence; women survivors of discrimination, violence, and trafficking; LGBT and gender nonconforming individuals; female sex workers; people living with HIV/AIDS; survivors of trauma and torture; mentally ill individuals; displaced individuals; and indigenous and other ethnic and cultural minorities who have suffered violence and/or discrimination.

Overview:

Heartland Alliance International has extensive experience ensuring equitable access to justice for survivors of human rights abuses. HAI has developed this expertise in some parts of the world and is in the process of expanding its access to justice programming in other countries where HAI has an office and where HAI hopes to establish a presence. HAI will concentrate largely on providing services for persons and communities affected by severe human rights abuses, as well as training, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. HAI is contracting an external consultant to document access to justice related issues in Central America and recommend what opportunities HAI should pursue, given its global experience, its goals for expansion and growth, and its added value to existing initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• In consultation with HAI staff, develop a research design methodology;
• Map key access to justice needs in Northern Triangle countries in Central America, with a focus on youth;
• Author assessment of how HAI’s expertise and experience could fit identified needs and gaps.

Qualifications:

• Extensive professional experience in Central America;
• Strong knowledge base of NGOs, donors, and initiatives in the Northern Triangle countries;
• Familiarity with access to justice models and programming;
• Sharp analytical skills;
• Research experience;
• Fluency in Spanish;

Skills:

• Able to work independently and complete tasks with minimal supervision;
• High attention to detail, and commitment to producing work of the highest quality in a limited time period;
• Superb writing skills (in Spanish or English);
• Strong problem-solving skills;
• Highly reliable and motivated.

Payment Schedule:

Consultant will be paid half upon signature of contract and half upon successful completion of report.

Work Location:

Consultant can work remotely via telecommunication.

Please send an email to HAInternational@heartlandalliance.org with the subject line “Access to Justice Researcher”.