Development Associate
Classification: Full-time
Reports to: Director of Development
Location: Flexible, preferably in Panajachel, Guatemala
Position Overview
Reporting to the Development Director, the Development Associate is responsible for managing logistics and development operations for the Fundraising Department at Mercado Global. This position works closely with other development team members and key staff. This role leads management of Mercado Global’s donor database, development operations, and event logistics, as well as providing other key support to department leaders.
Mercado Global seeks a Development Associate who is enthusiastic about the opportunity to help expand a cutting-edge model for fighting poverty and empowering women in rural Central America. They should have strong self-initiative and leadership capabilities, interpersonal and communication skills, attention to detail, excitement for learning the ins and outs of development, and a passion for our mission and work.
This position provides fundraising enthusiasts with the opportunity to work with our network of donors, our talented team in Guatemala and NYC, and the Indigenous women we serve. This position is ideally based at our field office in Panajachel, Guatemala, but remote work is possible.
Key Responsibilities
Events
- Manage logistics and coordination for corporate and individual events
- Manage sponsors and in-kind donors as assigned
- Manage logistics and support for the organization’s galas
Executive Assistance
- Draft communications for development team leaders as needed
- Conduct donor research and assist with meeting preparation as needed
Operations
- Manage data entry into Salesforce
- Generate fundraising reports as needed
- Lead donor acknowledgment letter creation
- Manage scheduling for the development team & board committees
- Manage recruitment efforts for staff and for intern positions as needed
- Manage logistics for donor trips to Guatemala
Key Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree
- Demonstrated ability to move multiple projects forward simultaneously.
- Excellent planning, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
- Attention to detail and commitment to top-quality, self-driven work.
- Ability to work in a team setting and communicate effectively. Must be able to receive and incorporate feedback.
- Fluency with Microsoft Office Suite. Knowledge of SalesForce (or other CRM) is a plus.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English required, in Spanish is a plus.
- Enthusiasm for Mercado Global's mission.
How to Apply
Please send cover letter and resume to
Please indicate “Development Associate” in the subject
line of your email.
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are committed to supporting a diverse task force. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
About Mercado Global
Since 2004, Mercado Global has worked to empower Indigenous women to transform their lives through entrepreneurship. The organization’s three pillar model - Community Based Education, Market Access, and Asset Development - affords indigenous women the chance to gain the skills, know-how, and tools they need to become independent entrepreneurs.
Over the years the organization’s partner artisans have been able to work with an extensive list of impressive major retailers and brands like Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Levi Strauss, Stuart Weitzman, Stitchfix, and Shopbop, amongst others. They then are able to take the income they earn from these work opportunities and drive real, sustainable change across their communities.
The organization has been recognized for its important impact making work in a variety of contexts including by being featured on the cover of Newsweek, by NPR, and on Good Morning America, while Mercado Global’s founder has been asked to speak about the organization’s work at the United Nations, the Clinton Global Foundation, The Global Summit for Women, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
At its core, the organization stands for the belief that, together, we can make the world a more ethical, sustainable, and just world - for all of us.
Learn more about Mercado Global here: