Grassroots Internationalism Senior Officer

Location: Washington, DC*

Application Deadline: When filled

*Please Note: Solidarity Center staff enjoy a hybrid telework/in-person schedule. All candidates applying for this role will be expected to work in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of three days per week unless an ADA or health-related exemption is approved.

Are you interested in building the global labor movement by connecting workers across borders and driving international worker campaigns?

Solidarity Center seeks a dynamic, charismatic, and experienced labor activist to help build international solidarity between worker organizations in the U.S. and abroad. This individual will need a strong dose of assertiveness and big picture thinking to create strategic connections among workers and unions worldwide. This job's primary focus is on building solidarity between U.S. unions and allied organizations (for women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities) with workers and unions globally for short-term campaigns and long-term solidarity. The Grassroots Internationalism Sr Officer will identify and drive opportunities for international solidarity and collaboration, ensure buy-in, and develop the knowledge and mechanisms to connect rank-and-file workers, local unions, and worker organizations across borders. This is someone who does not accept no as an answer.

This individual will be responsible for outreach to American unions and worker rights groups, facilitating collaboration between organizations in the U.S. and Solidarity Center’s partners abroad. The Grassroots Internationalism Sr Officer will also distill lessons learned from the global fight for worker rights and economic fairness and share them with the U.S. labor movement. This individual will help identify worker struggles where international solidarity may be possible in Solidarity Center field offices abroad as well as in the US, and help to organize solidarity efforts in both directions.

The Grassroots Internationalism Sr Officer will also develop and implement Solidarity Center’s Exchange Program, which connects unionists in the US with unionists abroad via strategic exchange trips. This individual will represent Solidarity Center at meetings and conferences in the U.S. and abroad, and will travel extensively to help identify and support international worker campaigns.

Supervisor: Director of Trade Union Strengthening 

Qualifications: 

• Ten years of full-time experience in the U.S. labor movement, ideally in a leadership role sufficient to build extensive networks and deep connections with a range of U.S.-based organizations

• Thorough understanding of U.S. unions and labor in general, including their campaigns and work

• Deep understanding of organizing, international campaigns, collective bargaining, and the structural needs of unions to meet the challenges for workers in a changing economy

• Proficiency and experience in public speaking and delivering presentations to large audiences

• Considerable experience in strategic campaigning and coalition building

• Clearly demonstrated passion for workers rights struggles in both the US and abroad

• Ability to work independently and without supervision

• Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously and make substantive decisions that have major effects on costs and completion of projects

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

• Budget management skills

• Good communications and writing skills

• Computer literacy for word processing and simple spreadsheets

Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must agree to accept temporary or indefinite assignments as a field representative, based on the needs of Solidarity Center. Fluency in a second language is a plus.

Specific Duties:

• Support field offices by building strategic partnerships with U.S. unions and worker rights organizations for short-term campaigns and long-term solidarity;

• Actively identify worker struggles in the US and abroad to strategically develop international solidarity campaigns

• Organize workers and unions in the US and abroad to build international solidarity in both directions

• Creatively develop and implement strategic campaigns and partnerships amongst workers and unions in the US and abroad

• Research and establish grassroots connections with unions and allied organizations (specifically for women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities) in the U.S.;

• Administer Solidarity Center exchange programs in the U.S. and meet with a wide variety of visitors from the field involved in efforts to promote labor rights and standards and democracy;

• Provide expertise, strategy, and relationships from the U.S. labor and progressive movements to field offices and partners for use in global campaigns;

• Work closely with AFL-CIO affiliates to coordinate their participation in the development and implementation of exchange programs, within approved communications guidelines;

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

This is a collective bargaining unit position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary starting at approximately $107,026 USD based on experience. A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a retirement plan and pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. In addition, we offer opportunities and funds for professional development.

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.

For Candidates Applying from the AFL-CIO*: Solidarity Center works in partnership with the AFL-CIO on recruiting and filling positions. Our policy is to notify the AFL-CIO prior to interviewing any of its current employees.*