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Program Officer I, II or III - Washington, DC Solidarity Center

BARGAINING UNIT POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: PROGRAM OFFICER I, II, or III, depending on level of experience

CLASSIFICATION: PROFESSIONAL I, II, or III depending on level of experience

STATUS: EXEMPT

This position is based in Washington, D.C. The level of experience will determine the Job Title and Classification.

Individuals applying for this position should note the following specific requirements:

The following experience/skills are required:

  • Good oral communications and writing skills in the English Language;
  • Fluency or High Proficiency in the Arabic language;
  • Experience in international economic, social and/or political development and assistance programming; and,
  • Knowledge of social, political and economic landscape in the Middle East Region.

The following experience/skills are highly desirable:

  • Proficiency in French;
  • Strong research skills;
  • Excellent analytical skills;
  • Knowledge of labor, economics, gender, trade, privatization and migrant worker issues, especially in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council;
  • Grant management and compliance, including tracking and managing program budgets and writing timely and compelling program proposals and reports;
  • Experience in working with organizations in the Middle East and living in the MENA region;
  • Prior experience in developing participant-centered training programs;
  • Strong program development, financial management and evaluation skills;
  • Prior knowledge of democracy and governance funding sources in the DC area and in the USA;
  • Prior experience working in a team environment at an NGO with headquarters and field offices;
  • Knowledge of international worker rights instruments and global labor organizations; and,
  • Previous trade union experience.


Qualifications


PROGRAM OFFICE 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 Middle East and North Africa

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.

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 Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator 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 Coordinator and within approved communications guidelines. At the direction of the Coordinator 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 Middle East and North Africa

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.

PROGRAM OFFICER III

Summary of Position: This is a senior level position. The Program Officer III is responsible for day-to-day support and counsel 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. S/he has working knowledge of and experience in USG regulations and procedures related to the funding and management of grants.

The Program Officer III writes persuasive proposals, describes complex activities and develops budgets for those activities. S/he participates in the development and implementation of trade union development programs. S/he produces 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. S/he provides advice and guidance to Field Representatives for the development and implementation of programs, the drafting and submission of concept papers and project proposals to donor organizations, and the effective management of field offices and programs. S/he draws on his/her experience to initiate program proposals and seek funding.

The Program Officer III assists and advises the Coordinator or Assistant Coordinator 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 Coordinator and within approved communications guidelines. 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 in the U.S. and abroad. S/he coordinates with Washington-based NGOs, and U.S. Government agencies. S/he has the experience and presence necessary to represent accurately and effectively in public fora and in private meetings with donor organizations, partner organizations, and national and international public and private organizations, the policies and programs of the Center and the AFL-CIO. S/he travels to the region and is able to fill in for Field Representatives on a temporary or indefinite basis.

Basic Qualifications: A Program Officer III must have the ability to work independently and without supervision and must have extensive knowledge of international relations and trade union and socio-economic and political developments in the U.S. and abroad. Previous trade union experience, and/or experience in the Center as a Program Officer II are required. 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 ten years 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. Persons considered for this position must agree to accept temporary or indefinite assignments as a field representative, 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 Middle East and North Africa

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, in the work of 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 and advise field offices in program development and proposal writing;
  • 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;
  • Furnish financial and administrative support services to field offices, and provide advice and guidance to field offices on grants management and funding procedures;
  • Initiate concept papers and program proposals and seeks funding for same; and
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

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


Contact Details


Contact:
Lisa Humphries
Telephone:
202-974-8349
Email:
lhumphries@solidaritycenter.org

Application Instructions


If interested, please send cover letter and résumé to:

Lisa Humphries

Human Resources Officer

Solidarity Center

888 16th Street, N.W., Suite 400

Washington, D.C. 20006