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April 14, 2008
Solidarity Center-Country Program Director, West Bank – Palestinian Territories
JOB TITLE: Country Program Director, West Bank – Palestinian Territories
GRADE: I-A
STATUS: Exempt
Field Staff Association Position
This position will be based in Ramallah, West Bank – Palestinian Territories.
Please note the following requirements:
-Excellent writing and communications skills in the English language.
-Knowledge of international relations and trade union developments in the United States and abroad.
-Trade union experience.
Experience highly desirable:
-Proficiency in the Arabic language.
-Extensive experience with demonstrated abilities as a trainer and facilitator, with experience in developing and implementing effective workshops, seminars, and round-table discussions with clear objectives, and using effective adult education training methods (including developing an effective use of training materials).
-Extensive experience working with women’s & youth trade union committees and/or civil society organizations.
-Extensive experience working with trade unions and civil society organizations to build coalitions and networks for advocacy purposes.
-Experience in managing local staff, setting priorities and developing an effective work plan.
-Experience with job creation programs and policy development, economic literacy, and overall social economic justice issues.
-Extensive experience working in nations amidst conflict, in post-conflict nations, and in/with countries in transition from autocratic to democratic governance.
-Strong experience in advising unions per sector and national federations on accountable and transparent procedures and accountability in order to represent and advocate for their members.
-Strong experience in how unions can influence public policy and legislation.
-Experience in programmatic work with the ILO, GUFs, and other international organizations.
-Extensive experience in finance and administration of programs and supervising a locally hired staff.
Summary of Position
The Country Program Director is responsible for the effective management of a field office and field programs. S/he is the representative of the Solidarity Center and the AFL-CIO in the country or region of assignment. S/he is thoroughly conversant with all aspects of regional program activities and current events relevant to the ongoing political, economic, social, and trade union developments in the country or region. The Country Program Director has sound judgment and a good political sense that facilitate decision-making, particularly for times when headquarters cannot be reached for consultation. S/he has a working knowledge of and experience in U.S. government regulations and procedures related to the funding and management of grants.
The Country Program Director designs and implements field programs. S/he draws on her/his experience to write persuasive concept papers and proposals and seek funding for programs that address the needs of the partner trade unions, the AFL-CIO, and the U.S. strategy for the country or region. S/he monitors programs for progress toward expected programmatic results as well as compliance with budget targets. S/he keeps headquarters informed of significant developments in the country or region through periodic program reports and other forms of correspondence.
The Country Program Director works closely with AFL-CIO affiliates, the ITUC and its regional organizations, and the Global Union Federations, within approved communications guidelines, to facilitate their participation in Solidarity Center programs. The Country Program Director provides logistical support for visitors from the Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO, affiliates, GUFs, the donor agency, and/or other organizations. S/he has the experience and presence necessary to represent accurately and effectively, in public fora and in private meetings with donor organizations, partners, and other national and international organizations, the policies and programs of the Solidarity Center and the AFL-CIO. S/he may be required to travel extensively within the region and can fill in for other Country Program Directors on a temporary or indefinite basis.
The Country Program Director manages the operations of the field office and supervises the local hire field staff. S/he ensures that the operations of the field office conform to the host country labor code and other pertinent laws.
The Country Program Director is responsible for compliance with Solidarity Center policies and U.S. regulations governing grants. S/he is expected to develop and maintain positive relationships with the appropriate personnel at the USAID mission and the U.S. Embassy and to keep them informed about the Solidarity Center's work in the country. The Country Program Director follows the evolution of country development strategies and ensures that USAID and the Embassy understand both the role of the labor movement in the development of the country and the ways in which the Solidarity Center program contributes to and enhances their ability to accomplish their strategic objectives.
Basic Qualifications
A Country Program Director must have the ability to work independently and without supervision. S/he must have extensive knowledge of international relations and trade union and socioeconomic and political developments in the United States and abroad. Previous trade union experience and/or experience in the Solidarity Center as a Program Officer III or Senior Program Officer are required. S/he must be capable of managing multiple assignments simultaneously and of making substantive decisions that have major effects on costs and completion of projects. S/he must have, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree in political science, international relations, labor relations, or related fields and/or ten years of equivalent work experience. Good communications and writing skills are a must. Computer literacy for word processing and simple spreadsheets is required. S/he must have the ability to work and interact easily with a wide variety of people. Fluency in a foreign language is a plus and may be a requirement for some Country Program Director positions.
Supervisor: Regional Program Director for the Middle East and North Africa
Specific Duties
-Oversee the day-to-day operations of the field office.
-Recruit, select, and supervise local hire staff.
-Ensure compliance of the office with Solidarity Center and AFL-CIO policies and procedures and applicable donor and federal government regulations.
-Design, develop, and implement country or regional programs that respond to the strategies, goals, and objectives of the donor organizations, the AFL-CIO, and the Solidarity Center's partners in the field.
-Initiate and seek funding for concept papers and program proposals.
-Prepare timely, well-written reports in accordance with the deadline schedule.
-Monitor program performance and results; discuss substantive changes required with Program Officer/Regional Program Director.
-Monitor program expenditures to meet budget targets.
-Work closely with AFL-CIO affiliates to coordinate their participation in Solidarity Center programs, within approved communications guidelines.
-Manage the logistics for field trips by Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO, and affiliate personnel.
-Develop solid relationships with U.S. government personnel in country and ensure they understand the role of labor in development and of Solidarity Center programs in the context of their country strategy.
-Share information on country conditions and labor issues as appropriate.
-Provide assistance and support for program evaluations or audits of field projects/offices.
-Travel on a TDY basis to conduct and/or oversee program development and implementation in other countries in the region.
-Develop coalition-building contacts with national and international labor, government and non-governmental organizations in the country or region.
-Perform other duties as assigned.
For a more detailed description of the responsibilities of a Solidarity Center Country Program Director, follow this link:
http://solidarity.timberlakepublishing.com/content.asp?contentid=488
The duration of this position, as with all positions at the Solidarity Center, is contingent upon continued grant funding. Normally a field assignment is at least three years but not more than six years, with the expectation of transfer to another post at the end of the assignment.
To Apply: Please send cover letter and résumé to Lisa Humphries, Human Resources Officer, Solidarity Center, 888 16th Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20006; by e-mail to lhumphries@solidaritycenter.org; or by fax to 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
Posted by fisherhe at April 14, 2008 11:31 AM
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