PROGRAM OFFICER I OR II

AMERICAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL LABOR SOLIDARITY

BARGAINING UNIT POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:  PROGRAM OFFICER I OR II, Americas Regional Office

CLASSIFICATION:  PROFESSIONAL I OR II
STATUS: EXEMPT

This posting is for one position and is specific to the program entitled Enhancing Skills of Colombian Trade Unionists.  The classification depends on the level of experience.

Please note the following additional desirable qualifications:

• Excellent communications and writing skills in the English language;

• Knowledge of the U.S. labor movement and worker rights;

• Experience and positive relations with U.S. unions and labor support NGOs,

• Demonstrated ability to design programs, write proposals, budgets and secure grant funding;

• Ability to travel to the region frequently;

• Experience in handling multiple tasks related to program development and implementation with attention to detail;

• Ability to work within a team framework and handle tight deadlines and multi-departmental coordination;

• Full bilingual Spanish-English language capability;

• Strong computer skills;

• Experience working with unions and workers in Latin America;

• Experience in delivering training on strategic planning, basic union skills in organizing, collective bargaining, union administration, and dispute resolution.

• Experience with financial management of program budgets: includes experience in tracking Deltek impromptu reports, review of financial reports and receipts, and assisting with projecting spending; and,

• Experience with preparation of wire transfer requests, tracking and troubleshooting, if needed.

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR PROGRAM OFFICER II:

Summary of Position:  The Program Officer II is responsible for day-to-day contact with and support to field offices and programs.  S/he is thoroughly conversant with all aspects of regional program activities and current events relevant to the on-going political, economic, social and trade union developments in the region.  S/he is the main contact between the Washington office and the field.

The Program Officer II writes persuasive proposals, describes complex activities and develops budgets for those activities.  S/he participates in the development and implementation of education, training and other programs.  S/he has the writing skills necessary to produce well-written program reports and evaluations.  S/he monitors programs to meet budget targets and programmatic results.  S/he prepares and exchanges information and coordinates activities with other sections of the Center, as required.

The Program Officer II assists and advises the Regional Program Director or Senior Program Officer on details of programs in assigned country(ies) of responsibility.  S/he works closely with AFL-CIO affiliates to coordinate their participation in the development and implementation of Solidarity Center programs, at the request of the Regional Program Director and within approved communications guidelines.   At the direction of the Regional Programs Director and based on the needs of the Center, the Program Officer II may be assigned to any program office on a temporary basis.   S/he assists with and, when necessary, provides logistical support for international visitors and participants in Washington-based programs conducted by the Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO, affiliates, GUFs and/or other related organizations.  S/he represents the Center at various meetings and conferences and coordinates with Washington-based NGOs, and U.S. government agencies.  S/he travels to the region; and is able, on a temporary basis, to fill in for field representatives.

Basic Qualifications: A Program Officer II must have broad knowledge of international relations including trade union and socio-economic and political developments in the U.S. and abroad.  Previous trade union experience is highly desirable.  S/he must be able to work independently and complete assignments with limited supervision.  S/he must be capable of managing multiple assignments simultaneously.   S/he must have, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, labor relations or related fields and/or seven years equivalent work experience.  Good communications and writing skills are a must.  Computer literacy for word processing and simple spreadsheets is required.  The Program Officer II must have the ability to work and interact easily with a wide variety of people.  Persons considered for this position must agree to serve abroad in both temporary and long-term positions, based on the needs of the Center.  Fluency in a foreign language is a plus and may be a requirement for some Program Officer positions.

Supervisor: Regional Program Director for the Americas

Specific Duties:

• Provide specified field offices with programmatic financial and administrative support;

• Write/edit proposals, reports, letters, and other correspondence;

• Conduct issue research for use by Center headquarters and field offices;

• Assist field offices to arrange study tours in the U.S. for visitors from the region, and conduct meetings with a wide variety of visitors from the region involved in efforts to promote labor rights and standards and democracy;

• Coordinate activities with the Center’s other program and functional offices;

• Assist, as required, the Center’s other program and functional offices;

• Develop coalition-building contacts with U.S. labor, government and non-governmental organizations in the Washington area;

• Provide guidance to field offices on AFL-CIO and Center policies and priorities, and serve as a liaison between the Center and AFL-CIO affiliates, GUFs, ICFTU, its regional organizations, and the ILO;

• Assist field offices in program planning;

• Develop and implement regional and sub-regional programs and programs in countries without a resident field representative;

• Provide field offices with information on USAID, NED, and U.S. government rules and regulations that affect program management;

• Recruit outside program consultants and other technical staff in accordance with field needs;

• Provide technical assistance and support to conduct program evaluations of field projects and recruiting evaluators;

• Support field trips by Center personnel;

• Share information on country conditions and labor issues as requested by Washington-based U.S. government offices and Congress;

• Travel on a TDY basis to conduct and/or oversee program development and/or implementation in countries without a Center field office;

• Work closely with AFL-CIO affiliates to coordinate their participation in the development and implementation of Solidarity Center programs, within approved communications guidelines;

• Monitor programs to meet budget targets;

• Represent the Solidarity Center as directed; and,

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR PROGRAM OFFICER I

Summary of Position: The Program Officer I is responsible for day-to-day contact with and support to field offices and programs.  S/he is conversant with all aspects of regional program activities and current events relevant to the on-going political, economic, social and trade union developments in the region.  S/he is the main contact between the Washington office and the field.

The Program Officer I writes persuasive proposals, describes complex activities and develops budgets for those activities.  S/he participates in the development and implementation of education, training and other programs.  S/he has the writing skills necessary to produce program reports and evaluations.   S/he tracks program budgets and activities.  S/he prepares and exchanges information and coordinates activities with other sections of the Center, as required.

The Program Officer I assists the Regional Program Director or the Senior Program Officer on details of programs in assigned country(ies) of responsibility.   At the direction of the Regional Program Director and based on the needs of the Center, the Program Officer may be assigned to any program office on a temporary basis.  S/he assists with and, when necessary, provides logistical support for international visitors and participants in Washington-based programs conducted by the Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO, affiliates, GUFs and/or other related organizations.  S/he attends meetings and conferences at the request of the Regional Program Director or Senior Program Officer.  S/he travels to the region when necessary, and, is able, on a temporary basis, to provide back-up support for field representatives.

Basic Qualifications: A Program Officer I must have some knowledge of international relations including trade union and socio-economic and political developments in the U.S. and abroad.  Previous trade union experience is highly desirable.  S/he must be able to work independently and complete assignments with limited supervision.  S/he must be capable of managing multiple assignments simultaneously.  S/he must have, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, labor relations or a related field and/or five years of related work experience.  Good communications and writing skills are a must.  Computer literacy for word processing and simple spreadsheets is required.  A Program Officer I must have the ability to work and interact easily with a wide variety of people.  Persons considered for this position must agree to serve in a field position abroad, on a temporary basis, based on the needs of the Center.  Fluency in a foreign language is a plus and may be a requirement for some Program Officer positions.

Supervisor: Regional Program Director for the Americas

Specific Duties:

• Provide specified field offices with programmatic financial and administrative support;

• Write/edit proposals, reports, letters, and other correspondence;

• Conduct issue research for use by Center headquarters and field offices;

• Assist field offices to arrange study tours in the U.S. for visitors from the region, and conduct meetings with a wide variety of visitors from the region involved in efforts to promote labor rights and standards and democracy;

• Coordinate activities with the Center’s other program and functional offices;

• Assist, as required, the Center’s other program and functional offices;

• Develop coalition-building contacts with U.S. labor, government and non-governmental organizations in the Washington area;

• Provide guidance to field offices on AFL-CIO and Center policies and priorities;

• Assist field offices in program planning;

• Develop and implement regional and sub-regional programs and programs in countries without a resident field representative;

• Provide field offices with information on USAID, NED, and U.S. government rules and regulations that affect program management;

• Recruit outside program consultants and other technical staff in accordance with field needs;

• Provide technical assistance and support to conduct program evaluations of field projects and recruiting evaluators;

• Support field trips by Center personnel;

• Share information on country conditions and labor issues as requested by Washington-based U.S. government offices and Congress;

• Travel on a TDY basis to conduct and/or oversee program development and/or implementation in countries without a Center field office, and;

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

The duration of this position, as with all positions at the Solidarity Center, is contingent upon continued grant funding. 

If interested, please send cover letter and résumé to:

Lisa Humphries
Solidarity Center
888 16th Street, NW, Suite 400           
Washington, D.C.  20006

E-mail: lhumphries@solidaritycenter.org
Fax: (202) 974-8266

The Solidarity Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Closing date of application:   When filled.

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information online at UNIONJOBS.COM. Do not just say the Internet.