Program Officer III for Middle East and North Africa

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.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Deadline: Until filled

Summary

Solidarity Center seeks an Arabic-speaker to join our Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team to assist in developing, managing, and implementing programs that advance workers rights in the region. This individual will serve as the main contact between headquarters and the field on assigned programs, likely to include Jordan, Palestine, and Iraq. The Program Officer must be thoroughly conversant with current events relevant to the on-going political, economic, social and trade union developments in the region. The successful candidate also must have working knowledge of and experience in U.S. Government (USG) regulations and procedures related to the funding and management of grants.

A critical component of the job includes writing persuasive proposals, describing complex activities, and developing budgets for those activities. This individual monitors programs to meet budget targets and programmatic results and must produce well-written program reports and evaluations.  The position also serves as a point of contact, coordinator, and information hub on program activities with other departments within Solidarity Center. The Program Officer provides advice and guidance to Country Program Directors in the region on program development and implementation, the drafting and submission of concept papers and project proposals, and the effective management of field offices and programs. Whoever takes on this role is expected to initiate program proposals and seek funding.

The Program Officer will assist and advise the MENA Regional Program Director and Senior Program Officer(s) on the details of assigned programs. This individual will work closely with AFL-CIO affiliates on their participation in Solidarity Center programs, and will assist with and provide logistical support for international visitors and participants in Washington-based programs conducted by the Solidarity Center, the AFL-CIO and its affiliates, Global Union Federations (GUFs), and other partner organizations. This individual will represent Solidarity Center at meetings and conferences in the U.S. and abroad and will coordinate with Washington-based NGOs and government agencies. The successful candidate must have the experience and presence to represent effectively the policies and programs of Solidarity Center and the AFL-CIO in public fora and private meetings with donors, partners, and national and international public and private organizations.  Pending health and safety conditions, travel to the region is part of this position, including filling in for Country Program Directors on a temporary or indefinite basis as needed.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in one of the following disciplines: Middle East History, Political Science, Sociology, International Development, International Relations, Labor Relations, and/or ten years equivalent work experience

• Fluency in Arabic; French langauge skills are also desirable

• Extensive knowledge of international relations

• Extensive knowledge of trade union, socio-economic, and political developments in the U.S. and abroad

• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously

• Ability to work independently, without supervision

• Ability to work and interact easily with a wide variety of people

• Good communication and writing skills

• Computer literacy for word processing and simple spreadsheets

• Previous trade union experience

• Experience with US government grant management is highly desired

• Expertise in the MENA region is ideal

Travel to the region represents approximately 20% or more of the job (following the lifting of travel restrictions and confirmation that conditions on the ground are safe). Anyone taking this position must agree to accept temporary or indefinite assignments as a field representative.

Supervisor:  Regional Program Director for MENA

Specific Duties

• Provide specified field officer with programmatic financial and administrative support;
• Write/edit proposals, reports, letters, and other correspondence;
• Conduct issue research for use by Solidarity Center headquarters and field officers;
• Coordinate activities with Solidarity Center’s other program and functional offices;
• Assist, as required, in the work of Solidarity Center’s other program and functional offices;
• Develop coalition-building contacts with 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 Solidarity Center and AFL-CIO affiliates, GUF’s, ITUC, 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 Solidarity 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 Solidarity 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.

This is a collective bargaining unit position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary starting at approximately $85,000 USD. A robust benefits package includes health insurance that is fully paid by Solidarity Center, life insurance, a retirement plan and pension, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave.

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.

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 are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at information@solidaritycenter.org.