Technical Director, Worker Engagement

ICF is hiring a Technical Director, Worker Engagement to support the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT) to create a comprehensive global tool on effective forced labor remediation in global supply chains.
On behalf of OCFT, ICF conducts research, provides analysis, and supports the preparation of written communications related to international child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, trade, supply chain, and forced labor remediation.

The Technical Director, Worker Engagement will lead research and literature review activities to inform corporate best practice and increase the effectiveness of forced labor remediation tools. They will write for their intended audience, formulate strategies to engage with relevant stakeholders based on USDOL priorities and interests, and advise USDOL on effective forced labor remediation tools. The Technical Director will also oversee the coordination of efforts and communications between multiple stakeholders, including USDOL, other US Government agencies, civil society organizations, and other relevant regional and/or international organizations.

This position can support different levels of effort and ICF will consider the following: part-time, full-time; or on-call hybrid. Some travel to ICF’s Washington DC or Rockville MD offices for client meetings will be required.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Lead research activities focused on the use and implementation of effective forced labor remediation tool(s) and remediation standards.

• Lead stakeholder engagement and relationship management activities, informing partners of effective forced labor remediation tools and guidance.

• Draft forced labor tools and provide guidance on how to best implement standards in key sectors.

• Lead stakeholder engagement workshops with workers, organizations trusted by workers, and civil society organizations for continuous improvement of policies and project outputs.

• Serve as a senior technical staff member, responsible for providing subject matter expertise to assigned project workstream.

• Provide high-level communications and reporting to stakeholders which may include public speaking, presentations, and professional publications.

Required Qualifications: 

• At least a master’s degree in international affairs, international relations, public policy, economics, political science, communications, planning, statistics, technology and policy, or other related disciplines.

• At least 7+ years of professional working experience in the following:

• Conducting policy research and policy implementation in topics related to workers’ engagement, labor relations, and/or workforce development.

• Conducting literature reviews, applying quantitative and qualitative research methods, and conducting systematic and objective inquiry and analysis of international labor issues and labor rights.

• Experience with administrative responsibilities including meeting deadlines, achieving targets, and overseeing the preparation and submission of required reports to US Government client(s).

• Experience building and maintaining working relations with workers through worker organizations and civil society stakeholders.

• At least 5+ years of experience in the following:

• Engagement with workers and organizations trusted by workers.

• Subject-matter expertise on labor remediation implementation.

• Professional fluency in written and spoken English is required, including former professional experience with public speaking and producing professional publications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with US government agencies on worker engagement, forced labor, and/or remediation, including the following US Departments: Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, and/or Customs and Border Protection.

• Prior experience advising multinational corporations on issues related to child labor, forced labor, worker engagement, and industrial relations.

• Previous experience leading in-country and community level NGO programming (particularly within Africa or Asia) that promotes appropriate production and working standards to eliminate forced labor or forced child labor.

• Experience with worker-led initiatives that have led to effective remediation policies, practices and outcomes.

• Have built and maintained a broad network of stakeholders within the worker engagement space, including companies, NGOs, civil society organizations, industry organizations, and partnering governments.

Working at ICF

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer.Together, our employees are empowered to share theirexpertiseand collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEOpolicy.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals withsincerely heldreligious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To requestan accommodation,please email [email protected] and we will be happy toassist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extentrequiredto provide needed reasonable accommodations. 

Read more about workplace discrimination rightsor our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) CoverageAct.

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate orassistwith responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is notpermitted. This policy is in place tomaintainthe integrity and authenticity of the interview process. 

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. Ifsuch anaccommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. Weare dedicated to providingthe necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed. 

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: