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FIELD PROGRAM SPECIALIST, COLOMBIA

The Solidarity Center, founded in 1997 by the AFL-CIO to tackle the enormous challenges workers face in the global economy, now works with union and community group partners in more than 60 countries through a network of 26 field offices. This not-for-profit organization offers education, training, research, legal support, and organizing assistance to help build strong and effective trade unions and other workers’ organizations and more just and equitable societies. Its programs promote democratic rights and respect for workers; raise public awareness about abuses of the world’s most vulnerable workers; and, above all, help the world’s workers secure a voice in their societies and the global economy.

The Center seeks a field program specialist to assist the Country Program Director in the work of advancing the Center’s mission in Colombia. The field program specialist reports directly to the Center’s regional program director for the Americas, and works in close partnership with the Country Program Director for Colombia, as well as with Colombian Trade Unions and various NGOs active in the region, particularly in Haiti. The Washington, D.C. based Center has a staff of 245 and an annual budget of $30 million. The position requires residency in Bogota, with frequent travel throughout Colombia, including to remote areas.

Responsibilities

  • With the Americas regional staff, implement program activities in Colombia, which include union organizing, popular education, policy advocacy, and leadership development.
  • Support the Country Program Director for Colombia in coordinating the department’s local staff and consultants in Colombia, and assist with local office operations as needed

  • Jointly with the Country Program Director, communicate the interests and issues of the Colombia labor movement, its labor issues, and its global importance within the Center, the AFL-CIO, and the U.S. labor movement broadly as well as to U.S. government programs in the region, other NGOs, and the academic community. Build bridges to and coalitions and collaborative efforts with allies in Colombia working to advance worker rights.
  • Assure the high quality and effectiveness of the Center’s work in Colombia through monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of program work


Qualifications


Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of the region, and experience in the U.S. and/or international labor movement and/or the human rights movement. Understanding of the political economy and human rights context of Colombia is critical, as is an understanding of the U.S. labor movement.
  • Experience in leading grassroots campaigns, including union or community organizing, and conducting popular education with a range of audiences, particularly with vulnerable groups. Experience with gender mainstreaming in programming and promoting women’s leadership is highly desirable.
  • The ability to communicate ideas and information effectively to U.S. and international audiences: Spanish and English fluency are required.
  • Proven ability to work successfully in complex political environments and collaboratively as part of a dynamic team.
  • Grant management skills including proposal writing, program monitoring and evaluation, budget tracking, and regular reporting.
  • Minimum, B.A. degree in political science, international relations or relevant field.

Personal Qualities:

The successful candidate will bring a sense of passion about Colombia and its politics, a strong social justice orientation, and a clear understanding of gender equity as a critical component of workers’ rights. He or she will have good judgment in U.S. and international political environments and the confidence, tenacity, energy, patience, and drive to work with others in this multilayered international organization to advance the cause of workers around the world.

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:
202-974-8340
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

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 finalist applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Closing date of application: When filled.