PSI
Public Services International
Internationale des Services Publics

Sub-Regional Secretary
North America

For covering the United States and Canada

 

PSI is looking for: Sub-regional Secretary, North America

Public Services International is a Global Union Federation of more than 700 trade unions representing 30 million workers in 154 countries.

We bring their voices to the UN, ILO, WHO and other regional and global organisations. We defend trade union and workers' rights and fight for universal access to quality public services.

PSI champions labour and human rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to quality public services. PSI works with the United Nations system and in partnership with labour, civil society and other organisations. PSI has three Regional Hubs and offices in 15 countries globally.

We are looking for a Sub-regional Secretary for North America responsible for implementing PSI’s policies and activities in Canada and the United States to achieve PSI’s political objectives in accordance with the Program of Action and Constitution and in close collaboration with PSI affiliated unions.

The ideal candidate will have experience in the trade union movement and/or public sector with broad knowledge of the region’s political issues preferably with a focus on public sector issues.

To Apply:
Applications should be sent to the following email: recruitment@world-psi.org, indicating in the subject Sub-regional Secretary NA.

Overall Responsibilities:
The Sub-regional Secretary (SRS) is responsible for implementing PSI’s activities in Canada and the United States to achieve PSI’s strategic objectives.

Key Responsibilities
Regional strategy and activities

• Develop and implement the regional strategy to implement PSI priorities with a focus on increasing affiliate engagement and growth.
• Work with affiliated unions including SEIU, AFT, AFSCME, NNU, CUPE, NUPGE, PSAC and the FIQ to mobilise and co-ordinate affiliate actions in PSI priority areas including organizing, defending trade union rights, fighting privatization, alliance building, etc.
• Represent PSI in the sub-region and keep the Regional Secretary, General Secretary and relevant PSI officers informed of developments in the sub-region.
• Advocate, and support affiliates to advocate, for PSI positions to relevant national, regional and international decision makers.
• Support PSI leadership meetings including the sub-regional advisory and sub-regional women’s committees.
• Initiate, develop, organise and where necessary deliver relevant trade union training.
• Support PSI affiliates in the sub-region on PSI global executive and for PSI activities outside the region.

Communication and representation

• Support PSI’s communications strategy in the sub-region including periodic updates for affiliates and providing content for PSI’s global publications about the sub-region.
• Maintain good relations with GUFs, non-affiliated unions, national union centers, civil society organisations, funding organisations and other allies relevant to the sub-region.
• Strengthen the current engagements and initiate new ones with international organizations, specifically the United Nations and its agencies located in New York and the international financial organizations in Washington DC.

Finance Management and Administration

• Manage the operation, activities and finances of the sub-regional office, including payroll and financial reporting to head office.

Requirements

• At least 8 years’ experience in a relevant senior union position in the sub-region.
• Extensive knowledge of public service trade unions in the sub-region and the issues they face.
• Experience in initiating, planning, supporting, and implementing training and campaigns, in areas such as organizing, sectoral policy, privatization, trade union rights, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategies for advocacy to influence decision makers.
• Ability to network with public service unions on regional and global issues of common concern.
• Experience in international activities with cross-border networks of unions, civil society organizations and/or international organizations is highly desirable.
• Fluency in English. Knowledge of French and Spanish are an asset.
• Knowledge of the regional and international institutions that operate within the sub-region is an advantage.
• Education in social sciences, development studies, economics or a relevant PSI sector.

Other Skills:

• Proactive, good sense of judgment, and capacity to work autonomously.
• High level of stakeholder relations and political acumen.
• Ability to work in close collaboration with a wide variety of staff and stakeholders including union and civil society leaders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Proven management skills and ability to work as part of a regional team.