Program Manager, Central America
Guatemala City
Programs – Global Psychosocial Services /
Full-time /
Hybrid
About KIND
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied and separated children who are forcibly displaced from their countries of origin. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety.
Building on its extensive programming and successful model in the United States, KIND is expanding in the Americas and Europe to bring its experience to bear in working with unaccompanied and separated children. Our work focuses on addressing the legal and mental health needs of this population; building strong partnerships and engaging in training and capacity strengthening with governments, NGOs, and the private sector; and advocating for systemic and pragmatic reforms to advance the rights of unaccompanied and separated children.
Position Summary
KIND seeks a Program Manager, Central America to coordinate and support regional programs including reintegration case management efforts for unaccompanied and separated children returning to Guatemala and Honduras and gender and migration initiatives and new projects as they arise. This new role is vital to ensuring timely, rights-based, and trauma-informed support to migrant children returning from the U.S. and Mexico.
The Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing individual case management, coordinating service referrals, maintaining partnerships, and contributing to best practice development across the region. While this role does not currently supervise staff, it is designed to evolve into a supervisory role as programming and funding expand.
This position is base in Guatemala City or Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.
This position is contingent upon continued funding.
Essential Functions
- Works closely with the Directors of the Reintegration Program and Gender and Migration Initiatives to develop and refine regional strategies, tools, and practices.
- Receives and processes referrals for returning unaccompanied and separated children from U.S. and Mexico-based legal teams, child advocates, consular officers, Central America partner staff, and others.
- Conducts psychosocial assessments and rights education sessions (via phone or video) with referred children and families ensuring an understanding of the return and reintegration process.
- Manages a caseload of returning children, coordinating referrals to local services, maintaining resource maps, and ensuring consistent communication with families and partners.
- Enters timely, accurate, and detailed information into KIND’s case management systems and maintain case files in accordance with organizational protocols.
- Monitors case progress, follow up on services provided, and ensure appropriate documentation of outcomes.
- Supervises staff and interns in Reintegration team as required
- Works closely with the Director, Reintegration Program to develop and refine regional strategies, tools, and practices.
- Helps standardize reintegration approaches across countries and contribute to internal knowledge-sharing and training initiatives.
- Collaborates with KIND staff in the U.S. and Central America on joint planning, evaluation, and programmatic growth.
- Establishes and maintains strong relationships with Guatemala-based NGOs, government agencies, civil society organizations, UN bodies, and other relevant actors to facilitate service access, expand program visibility, and advocate for improved policies and practices toward unaccompanied and separated children.
- Conducts training sessions and outreach presentations for local stakeholders on child protection, reintegration support, and referral pathways.
- Supports Central America-based partners through technical assistance, reporting collaboration, and peer learning forums.
- Ensures accurate data tracking and contribute to regular reporting for both internal and external stakeholders.
- Supports the development of metrics, tools, and reporting systems for reintegration programming.
- Assists in donor reporting and documentation of program impact and lessons learned.
- Represents KIND at national and regional forums.
Qualifications and Requirments
- Graduate degree in social work, psychology, international development, or a related field (or equivalent experience). Counseling background preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in case management, program coordination, or direct service provision to migrant or vulnerable populations. Supervisory experience preferred.
- Strong understanding of child protection principles, trauma-informed care, and migration-related challenges in Central America.
- Experience building and managing partnerships with civil society, government, or multilateral actors.
- Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English and Spanish (for direct communication with the children we serve and their caregivers, the majority of whom are Spanish speaking). Fluency in one or more Guatemalan indigenous languages a plus.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (such as Teams, Excel, etc.).
- Ability to work collaboratively and multi-task in our KIND environment, managing numerous priorities and emerging opportunities.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work on multiple projects in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to prioritize tasks and delegate as appropriate.
- Ability to multitask and work with a sense of urgency in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Committed to practicing and supporting wellbeing and a work-home life balance.
- Experience working and communicating in a remote environment preferred but not required.
Q223.680 - Q279.600 a year
Application Instructions
To be considered for this role, please submit an employment application at supportkind.org/join-the-team, along with your resume and cover letter.
Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.
