Title: Deputy Director, Central America
Position: Full-time
Location: Remote within Central America, with frequent travel throughout the region
About Optio
Optio is an international nonprofit organization that partners with grassroots organizations in Central America to remove the political, legal, economic, and cultural barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing their reproductive rights. Through litigation, access to health services, education, and institutional strengthening, we work to advance reproductive justice and human rights throughout the region.
Position Overview
Optio is seeking an experienced, entrepreneurial, and strategic leader to serve as Deputy Director for Central America. This is a senior leadership position responsible for supporting the overall management, growth, and impact of Optio’s regional programs and partnerships.
The Deputy Director will work closely with the Executive Director and the Regional Director to strengthen program quality, expand partnerships, support fundraising, oversee implementation, and ensure strong organizational systems across the region.
The ideal candidate is a highly collaborative leader with experience managing multidisciplinary teams, building partnerships across sectors, overseeing complex programs, and navigating political and institutional environments throughout Central America.
Key Responsibilities
Latin America Program Oversight (50%)
Provide leadership and oversight across Optio’s legal, access, advocacy, and institutional strengthening programs throughout Central America.
- Supervise country staff members.
- Work closely with the Regional Director and program teams to ensure effective implementation of activities and achievement of program goals.
- Support the systems for planning, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and adaptive management.
- Ensure compliance with donor requirements, organizational policies, and applicable legal and financial standards.
- Promote innovative approaches that advance reproductive justice, access to justice, and institutional change in restrictive contexts.
- Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, government institutions, academic institutions, donors, and international agencies.
- Represent Optio in meetings, conferences, and advocacy spaces at the national, regional, and international levels.
- Collaborate on budgeting, financial planning, and resource allocation, and support effective program financial management.
- Strengthen operational systems, support staff development, and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
Strategic Leadership for Optio (25%)
Serve as a member of Optio’s Leadership Team and contribute to organizational strategy, planning, and decision-making.
- Serve as Acting Regional Director during the leadership transition period (September 15, 2026 – July 15, 2027).
- Support the development and implementation of Optio’s regional strategy, annual work plans, and long-term priorities.
- Identify emerging opportunities, risks, partnerships, and investments to position Optio as a regional leader in reproductive justice, human rights, and access to justice.
- Cultivate relationships with new donors, foundations, and strategic partners.
- Contribute to grant proposals, donor reports, concept notes, and fundraising communications when necessary.
Legal Program Development – El Salvador and Guatemala (25%)
Lead the expansion of Optio’s legal programs in El Salvador and Guatemala.
- Develop and implement country-specific legal strategies aligned with Optio’s regional priorities.
- Identify and cultivate partnerships with local legal organizations, advocates, academic institutions, government institutions, judicial actors, and other key stakeholders.
- Support the development and litigation of strategic reproductive health and rights cases with the potential to advance legal precedent and strengthen protections for women and girls.
- Design and implement legal advocacy and institutional strengthening initiatives at the governmental, judicial, academic, and institutional levels.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD), LLB, or equivalent law degree.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, international development, public health, human rights, social justice, law, or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, teams, and partnerships across multiple countries.
- Experience working on reproductive rights, reproductive justice, legal advocacy, gender equality, or health systems strengthening.
- Experience working with civil society organizations, grassroots movements, government institutions, and international partners.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, donor engagement, and grant management.
- Experience managing budgets and overseeing organizational operations.
- Exceptional interpersonal, diplomatic, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in both Spanish and English.
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and navigate complex political environments.
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently throughout Central America.
- Existing professional networks throughout Central America.
- Preferred: Based in Guatemala or El Salvador, with strong professional networks and experience working within the legal, judicial, and human rights sectors in the region
Compensation
Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, qualifications, and location. Optio offers a flexible and collaborative work environment and the opportunity to contribute to transformative work advancing reproductive justice and human rights throughout Central America.
How to Apply
Please submit:
- A current CV
- A cover letter describing your interest in the position and relevant experience
- 2 professional references
Applications should be sent to the attention of the Executive Director, Lauren van der Walt (lauren@optio.org). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.