September 2, 2008
Terms: Full-time permanent
Deadline for applications: October 3, 2008
The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) is a labour and women’s rights organization working to improve the wages and working conditions of workers in the global supply chains of retailers, manufacturers and brand merchandisers. In the last few years, our work has focused primarily on the garment and sportswear industries, with a geographical focus in Latin America. Our main office is in Toronto; we also have a small office in Mexico City.
Our fundamental objective is to win respect for workers’ rights. Our program focuses on two interconnected strategies – intense work with national and local partners in countries producing for export to strengthen their capacity to pressure and engage with brands, manufacturers and governments, and work at the international level on campaigns and engagement to make companies and governments more accountable and transparent.
Scope of Work
MSN is looking for a creative, committed, and experienced worker rights advocate to join our small program team. The team works collectively, with policy and advocacy work shared primarily between two staff, under the general direction of the MSN executive director. While the work is international in scope, we anticipate that over the next year this new position will focus primarily on support to our Latin America program. For that reason Spanish and English capabilities are essential for this position.
Responsibilities
- Active involvement in MSN’s annual program – in planning, implementation, evaluation and fundraising.
- Active involvement in the research and writing, contracting and/or editing of discussion papers, case studies and other MSN publications.
- Coordinating solidarity with workers’ efforts to improve conditions in specific cases and/or campaigns – including engaging with relevant brands on investigations and corrective action related to labour rights violations in their supply chains, liaising with local labour rights groups and government representatives, and preparation of campaign materials, updates and action alerts.
- Promoting efforts to tackle systemic issues in global supply chains around four priority themes: wages; freedom of association; precarious employment and industry restructuring.
- Assisting in the organization of forums in Canada and internationally.
- Representing MSN at meetings and in the media.
- Building and maintaining relationships with MSN key contacts – worker rights advocates and anti-sweatshop groups as well as representatives of brands, multi-stakeholder initiatives and government.
Qualifications
- At least five years employment experience working on labour rights, women’s and/or human rights – ideally with some linkage to corporate accountability.
- Knowledge of global supply chain issues, trade policy and workers’ and women’s rights.
- Knowledge of the Mexico and Central America political context and social movements.
- Research, writing and editing skills – ability to write analytical, educational, and media documents and to coordinate and edit contracted documents.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex projects in a high-pressure environment (in other words, ability to get things done despite daunting political and practical obstacles).
- Experience in developing and evaluating programs and/or campaigns (with ability to improvise as the context shifts and provides new opportunities and/or challenges).
- Well organized and able to keep track of multiple ongoing tasks, with attention to detail.
- Experience working both independently and as part of a small staff team.
- Strong communication skills, including experience in public speaking and in dealing with the media and acting as a media spokesperson.
- Experience dealing with representatives of unions, companies and government.
- Fluency in English and Spanish.
- Ability to work in Canada and to travel frequently (both in Canada and internationally).
The following are not required, but preferred
- Experience living and/or working in Mexico or Central America; and
- Fund-raising and or donor relations skills and/or experience.
Salary
Competitive within our sector.
To Apply
Send a cover letter, resume, two writing samples and an example of your editing capabilities by October 3.
- Your letter should explain your interest in this work and MSN and the reasons you feel you are qualified for the position. Please share your salary expectations.
- Ideally, writing samples would include one short analytical or research article and one sample of a newsletter or opinion piece.
- Provide us with editing suggestions on one of the last two MSN Codes Memos (currently posted on our website).
Your application package should be sent to: jobsearch08@maquilasolidarity.org.
Please include the job title in the subject line and ensure attachments are Microsoft Word or PDF files.
