Deputy Country Program Director

Solidarity Center

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Summary:

Solidarity Center seeks a Deputy Country Program Director (Deputy or DCPD) to serve as the primary support person to the Country Program Director (CPD) in Cambodia, its second largest field office worldwide. In the absence of the CPD, the Deputy assumes the representational function and responsibility for the management of the office and local staff. This individual must become conversant in all program activities and events relevant to the political, economic, social and trade union developments in the country. The Deputy needs sound judgment and political sense to facilitate decision-making, particularly when the Country Program Director and headquarters cannot be reached for consultation. This individual must have a working knowledge of and experience in US Government regulations and procedures related to the funding and management of grants.

The Deputy assists in the design and implementation of field programs including the writing and editing of concept papers and proposals and seeking funding opportunities for programs that address the needs of the partner trade unions and the AFL-CIO. This individual assists the CPD in program monitoring to measure and evaluate progress and ensure budgetary compliance. This individual may be assigned primary responsibility for the implementation and monitoring of some programs within the country portfolio. The Deputy liaises with the CPD on significant developments in the country through meetings, reports and other communication as required.

The Deputy, within approved communications guidelines, supports the work of the CPD with AFL-CIO affiliates, the ITUC and its regional organizations, and global union federations, to facilitate their participation in Solidarity Center programs. The Deputy provides logistical support for visitors from the Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO, affiliates, GUFs, the donor agency, and other organizations. In the absence or at the direction of the CPD, the Deputy represents the policies and programs of the Solidarity Center and the AFL-CIO in public and private meetings with donors, partners, and national and international organizations. The Deputy may be required to travel within the region and can fill in for the CPD on a temporary basis.

The Deputy assists the CPD to ensure compliance with Solidarity Center policies, US regulations governing grants, and host-country law. At the direction of the CPD, the Deputy develops and maintains positive relationships with the appropriate personnel at the USAID mission and the US Embassy, including completing requisite reporting requirements regarding Solidarity Center work. With the CPD, the Deputy monitors developments to ensure that USAID and the Embassy understand organized labor’s role in development, and how Solidarity Center programs contribute to and enhance their ability to accomplish their strategic objectives.

Qualifications:

A Deputy Country Program Director must be able to work independently and with limited supervision. This individual must have knowledge of international relations and trade union, socio-economic and political developments in the U.S. and abroad. Previous trade union experience is required. The Deputy must be capable of managing multiple assignments simultaneously and of making decisions that have major effects on costs and completion of projects. This individual must have a bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, labor relations or related fields or five years equivalent work experience. Good communications and writing skills are essential and computer literacy for word processing and simple spreadsheets is required. The Deputy must have good interpersonal skills. Fluency in a foreign language is a plus.

Specific Duties:

Assist the CPD in managing the Cambodia field office;
Under the direction of the CPD, supervise local-hire staff;
Ensure compliance with Solidarity Center and AFL-CIO policies and procedures, applicable donor and federal government regulations, and host-country law;
With the guidance of the CPD, design, develop and implement country or regional programs that respond to the strategies, goals and objectives of the donors, the AFL-CIO and the Solidarity Center’s partners in the field;
Initiate concept papers and program proposals and seek funding for same;
Prepare timely, well-written reports in accordance with the deadline schedule;
Monitor program performance and results as assigned by the CPD; discuss substantive changes required with CPD/Program Officer/Regional Program Director;
Monitor program expenditures to meet budget targets;
At the direction of the CPD and within approved communications guidelines, work closely with AFL-CIO affiliates to coordinate their participation in Solidarity Center programs;
Manage the logistics for field trips by Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO and affiliate personnel as requested;
Under the direction of the CPD, develop relations with US government personnel in country to ensure they understand the role of labor in development and of Solidarity Center programs in the context of their strategy;
Share information on country conditions and labor issues as appropriate;
Provide assistance and support for program evaluations or audits of field projects/offices;
Travel on a TDY basis to conduct and/or oversee program development and implementation in other countries in the region;
Guided by CPD, develop coalition-building contacts with national and international labor, government and non-governmental organizations in the country or region.