Program Officer for Mexico

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.

Application Deadline: When filled

Summary

Solidarity Center seeks an experienced program officer to focus on our expanding work in Mexico, funded by the US Department of Labor (DOL). This individual must have experience working with DOL regulations and procedures related to grant funding and management. We are looking for someone who can produce well-written program reports and evaluations, and can effectively monitor complex programs to meet budget targets and programmatic results. The Program Officer will exchange information and coordinate activities with other departments in Solidarity Center.

The Program Officer needs to be fluent in Spanish and conversant in current events relevant to Mexico's on-going political, economic, social, and trade union developments to provide day-to-day support to our Mexico field office and programs. This individual will provide advice and guidance to the Mexico Country Program Director regarding program implementation, the drafting and submission of project documents for donors, and the effective management of field offices and programs. Attention to detail and strong organizational skills are a must.

This person will assist and advise the Americas Regional Program Director and Deputy Director and the Mexico Senior Program Officer on program details. The Program Officer may assist with and, when necessary, provide logistical support for international visitors and participants in Washington-based programs conducted by the Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO, and/or other related organizations. This individual may represent Solidarity Center at various meetings and conferences, and coordinate with NGO and U.S. Government agencies. The Program Officer may be required to travel to Mexico once health-related restrictions are lifted and conditions on the ground permit.   

Supervisor: Regional Program Director for the Americas

Specific Duties

• Coordinate with project staff in Mexico to produce, edit, and routinely revise DOL technical documents (i.e., project documents, performance monitoring plans, results frameworks, logic models, sustainability matrices, stakeholder registers, risk matrices, etc). 
• Ensure the alignment of technical documents as revisions are made throughout the life of DOL Mexico projects.
• Prepare final drafts of technical documents for submission and serve as the point of contact for the Program Quality, Learning, and Compliance department on the DOL Mexico projects.  
• Collaborate with the Mexico Senior Program Officer to monitor the fulfillment of project requirements under award agreements and the Management Procedures and Guidelines (MPG).  
• Edit and draft reports to the donor; take the lead in coordinating and drafting responses to donor questions in Technical Progress Reports (TPRs) for DOL Mexico projects.
• Represent Solidarity Center and the project team on bi-weekly DOL calls related to project implementation (e.g., achievement of performance indicators, implementation challenges, spending updates, etc.)
• Become deeply familiar with and remain constantly abreast of the intricacies of the project, partners, politics, and implementation environment/realities on the ground.
• Provide specified field officer(s) with programmatic financial and administrative support;
• Coordinate activities with the Center’s other program and functional offices;
• Assist and advise field offices in program development and proposal writing:
• 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;

Qualifications

• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English 
• Good communications and writing skills
• Experience working with DOL grant/project management regulations and procedures
• Experience with trade unions and/or the labor movement
• Extensive knowledge of international relations and trade union and socio-economic and political developments in the U.S. and Mexico
• Ability to work and interact easily with a wide variety of people. 
• Ability to work independently and without supervision
• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously
• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, labor relations or related fields and/or at least ten years equivalent work experience
• Computer literacy for word processing and simple spreadsheets

Persons considered for this position must agree to accept temporary or indefinite assignments as a field representative, based on the needs of the Center.  

This is a collective bargaining unit position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary starting at approximately $85,458 USD with an annual COL increase scheduled for October 1. 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.