A conversation about workers, communities and social justice

Solidarity Center is seeking a Deputy Regional Program Director (Deputy RPD or Deputy)

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Please Note: Solidarity Center staff enjoy a hybrid telework/in-person schedule. We also have a mandatory vaccine policy and safety protocols in all our facilities. All candidates applying for this role will be expected to adhere to these policies and to work in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of three days per week unless an ADA or health-related exemption is approved.

Summary

Solidarity Center is seeking a Deputy Regional Program Director (Deputy RPD or Deputy) for its expanding Americas team, based in Washington, DC. This position supports and shares managerial oversight with the Americas Regional Program Director (RPD) for all areas of programming and finances within the department, including DC-based and field office activities across the region. The Deputy helps to manage staff, programs, budgets, operations, and documentation, sharing responsibility for the department’s overall performance.  The Deputy shares responsibility for staff development and performance management of field and headquarters staff at all levels. In addition, the Deputy assists the RPD in developing a strategic vision for the region to establish program and funding priorities for the department.

The Deputy RPD manages the flow of information and instruction within the region and with other departments.  This position carries with it the same decision making and approval authority as the RPD, along with the ability to directly respond to requests from both staff and other managers, opening bottlenecks in department processes.

As a member of the Solidarity Center management team, the Deputy RPD contributes to organizational decision making and represents Solidarity Center with external partners. These include the AFL-CIO and related organizations, others in non-governmental community, US government agencies, and donors.  The Deputy Regional Program Director also coordinates and works in coalition with others in the non-governmental community to further policy and programmatic goals, establishes and maintains regular contact with US government agencies, and donor agencies, and plays a managerial role in developing a grant-funding strategy.

Qualifications

  • Broad knowledge of international trade union, socio-economic and political issues, with particular expertise in the Americas, and the ability to articulate these issues
  • Knowledge of the US trade union movement and its institutions and general familiarity with AFL-CIO policies and positions
  • Familiarity with Federal grant-related policies and procedures; experience with the US Department of Labor is desirable
  • Experience developing and managing budgets with accuracy and timeliness
  • Supervisory/management experience
  • Strong program and financial management skills with a high degree of organization and attention to detail
  • Excellent writing, editing, and analytic skills
  • Word processing and spreadsheet skills
  • An academic background, preferably a master’s degree, in labor relations, political science or international affairs, or a minimum of 10 years equivalent work experience
  • Ability to relate to and communicate effectively with diverse groups of people
  • Fluency in written and spoken Spanish; Portuguese language ability is also desirable

Field experience with a US or international labor organization is high desirable, as this position entails extensive travel to the field for supervisory program management and program development purposes.

Supervisor: Regional Program Director

Specific Duties:

  • Promote an atmosphere of cooperation, coordination and respect among staff at all levels and across departmental/regional lines;
  • Promote gender equity and equality of opportunity for all staff;
  • Know and follow Solidarity Center policies and procedures; ensure staff are aware of and comply with same; ensure financial and program reporting by the department; comply with SC policies and donor policies
  • Attend Solidarity Center regular managers meetings and communicate with staff about new developments;
  • In coordination with the RPD, keep senior Solidarity Center management and AFL-CIO staff informed of programs, issues and events in the region;
  • In tandem with the RPD, supervise headquarters-based program officers and support staff in Washington and field representatives in the region; articulate clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and hold staff accountable for their areas of responsibility;
  • Provide direction, technical assistance and support for evaluation of field projects related to global field projects, and, where appropriate, recruiting outside evaluators;
  • Recruit, train and mentor new staff;
  • Interact with the two staff unions on issues related to the department and participate in the development and revision of job descriptions for all department staff;
  • Hold regular staff meetings, for the purpose of budget monitoring and general program timelines and information-sharing;
  • Ensure proposals, reports, budgets and other program documents are well written and prepared for internal review prior to submission to donors. Ensure both internal and external deadlines are met.
  • Coordinate the design, development and implementation of programs in the region, and oversee the quality of these programs;
  • Promote programmatic cooperation with US and international labor organizations;
  • Form/participate in coalitions with other non-governmental organizations working toward shared programmatic objectives;
  • Establish and maintain relationships with representatives of donor agencies, government departments and US missions abroad regarding regional responsibilities and programs;
  • Develop comprehensive funding strategies for programs in the region with oversight from the RPD; aggressively pursue new funding opportunities;
  • Travel to countries within the region on a regular basis for supervisory, and program management, development, implementation and evaluation purposes;
  • Consult and coordinate with Solidarity Center staff in other regions and offices, with decision making authority on programs and operations;
  • Represent the Solidarity Center and the AFL-CIO in meetings, seminars and conferences in the US and abroad; and
  • Assist in the production of Solidarity Center reports, proposals, educational materials and other publications.

Apply Here

This is a management position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary of approximately $150,000 USD. A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a 401k retirement plan plus AFL-CIO pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and sick leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. 

The Solidarity Center cultivates the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion among its staff and partners. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this position, please contact us at information@solidaritycenter.org. 

For Candidates Applying from the AFL-CIO: Please be advised that we will inform the AFL-CIO when any of its current employees apply for positions with Solidarity Center. This notification is a matter of policy for all candidates, regardless of each individual’s qualifications and competitiveness for a specific opportunity.