Are you service minded professional with working experience from the NGO sector and/or advocacy work? Do you want to use your administrative skills to contribute to the work of Civil Rights Defenders? Then you might be the one we are looking for. Do you want to be part of a global organization with staff and partners from all over the world. Then you might be the one we are looking for.
As Programme Assistant you will carry out daily administrative and operational tasks to support the implementation of human rights programmes. This includes scheduling meetings, organising logistics for events, trainings and travel, and processing routine payments to partners.
The role involves regular follow-up with partners on activities and administrative requirements, maintaining accurate programme documentation and files, and supporting internal coordination with colleagues.
As a Programme Assistant you will work together in a team of six colleagues in our Latin America Department and will report to the Latin America Department Director.
Provide administrative and operational support to the implementation of human rights programmes.
Support the coordination of programme activities, including partner follow-up and logistics.
Assist in grant administration processes, including documentation and financial follow-up.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date programme records, files, and documentation.
Facilitate communication and information flow between the department, partners, and internal teams.
Support the preparation of materials, reports, and communications related to programme activities.
Assist in monitoring human rights developments to inform programme work.
Contribute to the smooth day-to-day functioning of the department.
As a person, you are service minded, prefer to collaborate, lead, motivate, and empower others to reach common goals effectively. You see the long-term significance and further consequences of things and act accordingly. Furthermore, you like to engage in teamwork and contribute constructively, and through clear communication, you ensure that messages are reached and that expectations are clear to all parties involved.
We assume that you share our values.
To be suitable for this role you have:
Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations or similar.
1 to 3 years of relevant work experience in administrative or support roles (internships, volunteering, or entry-level positions preferred).
Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
Basic communication skills and willingness to learn.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and follow established procedures.
Comfortable working as part of a team and under supervision.
Spanish and English (advanced level)
Microsoft Office 365 (Teams, Outlook, Excel, PPT, Word)Some experience in administrative or support roles (internships, volunteering, or entry-level positions preferred).
This is a full-time temporary employment starting in August 2026 or according to agreement. As an organisation, we strive for diversity, and we see your background, experience and personality as a contribution to the organisation. You will be based in Bogotá, Colombia, and you will have a Colombian employee contract. We actively encourage candidates who hold a valid legal permit to work in Colombia to apply.
Please apply as soon as possible as we recruit on an ongoing basis, but no later than 14 June 2026
If you have any questions on the recruitment process, please contact Regional Department Director, Pia Alvira, pia.alvira@crd.org
Civil Rights Defenders is a politically and religiously independent international human rights organisation. We defend people’s civil and political rights in some of the world’s most repressive regions. We partner with and support human rights defenders in more than 300 organisations in 50 countries on four continents. Together with our partners, we hold those in power accountable when people’s civil or political rights are violated. We also act as Sweden’s civil rights watchdog.
Civil Rights Defenders has around 70 staff members working in various functions towards our vision - a world of democratic societies in which we all enjoy our civil and political rights. Our headquarter is located in Stockholm, and we have eight branch offices around the world. Learn more about our work at crd.org
Civil Rights Defenders is an international human rights organisation, founded in 1982 in Stockholm, Sweden. We defend people’s civil and political rights and empower human rights defenders in Sweden and globally.
All countries need a strong civil society that scrutinizes those in power and presses for positive development. That is why we combine human rights work with efforts to empower local human rights defenders. Together with local partners we monitor the authorities and demand accountability when they violate human rights in law or practice. We take legal action against states, and inform and lobby decision makers to effect change and seek justice.
Local human rights defenders are at the centre of all our work. We draw attention to their situation, and seek to support them with training, resources or expertise to protect the space in which they act and strengthen their work.
Civil Rights Defenders was founded as a part of the Helsinki movement, under the name Swedish Helsinki Committee for Human Rights. In 2009, we decided to change our name into one that better reflects our work and objectives today.
