General Counsel and VP, Human Resources & Labor Relations at International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

THE ORGANIZATION:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

www.ifes.org

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 POSITION TITLE:                                  Â

General Counsel and Vice President, Human Resources & Labor Relations

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 EMPLOYMENT STATUS:                       Â

Full-time, exempt

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REPORTING TO:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

President & CEO

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SENIOR MANAGEMENT:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Member of the Executive Leadership Team and Senior Leadership Team

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DEPARTMENT OVERSIGHT:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Oversees the Human Resources Department

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LOCATION:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Washington, DC area/Arlington, VAÂ Â

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TARGETED SALARY RANGE &

BENEFITS:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

Commensurate with qualifications and professional experience. IFES offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Targeted salary range is US$200,000 to $250,000 annually.

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ABOUT INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR ELECTORAL SYSTEMS (IFES)

IFES advances democracy for a better future. The organization works in countries around the world, where they collaborate with host governments, civil society, and other international and national partners to build resilient democracies that deliver for all. As a global leader in the promotion and protection of democracy, IFES†technical assistance and applied research develops and supports:
• trusted electoral bodies capable of conducting credible elections;
• effective and accountable governing institutions;
• civic and political processes in which all people can safely and equally participate; and
• innovative ways in which information, technology and data can positively serve elections and democracy.Â

Since 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries from developing to mature democracies. IFES is a global, non-partisan, nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia, and registered as a 501(c)(3). It currently operates on an annual budget of approximately $80 million. Over 90% of its funding comes from governments, with the majority of that coming from the U.S. government (USAID and the U.S. State Department).

POSITION SCOPE

As threats to democracy around the world continue to grow, IFES continues to expand its program capabilities and its global reach, and has seen steady revenue growth since 2019. IFES†commitment to its number one resource, its dedicated staff of personnel at Headquarters and in countries around the world working in the field of democracy building, has become the backbone of its success.  In order to continue to serve as an employer of choice in its field and deliver on its commitment to its approximately 400 staff and consultants that they will have the support, resources, training, and tools needed to excel in their work, IFES has decided to create a new position of General Counsel and Vice President for Human Resources & Labor Relations.Â

The position will be made up of three pillars essential to the tasks at hand. They are:
• General Counsel,
• Human Resources, and
• Labor Relations.

The responsibility of the three pillars are as follows:
• General Counsel

The General Counsel will provide strategic and operational legal advice on a wide range of topics including board governance, ethics, laws applicable to tax-exempt organizations, enterprise risk management, compliance, government grant custodianship, cooperative agreements, contracts, litigation, and any labor relations matter. As needed, the General Counsel will liaise with external counsel in the United States, and with local lawyers retained by IFES country offices to work on a variety of issues, which could include registration, taxation, and labor law. The General Counsel will also provide day-to-day oversight of IFES†global security contract and ensure IFES is meeting its legal obligations pertaining to the safety and security of staff and partners.
• Human Resources

IFES†Human Resources team develops and implements innovative human resource programs that enable IFES to attract, develop and retain the best and brightest diverse talent†in HQ and globally†in order to achieve its mission. As a strategic partner with management, HR develops creative recruitment plans, develops competitive and comprehensive total compensation packages including benefits, incentives, salaries, technical skill training, and implements quality of work/life balance initiatives. HR also provides direct support to IFES field teams on talent acquisition and retention, and ongoing HR issues as needed.
• Labor Relations

In 2022, the employees of IFES elected to become a unionized organization. As the unionization process is in its preliminary stage, only early discussions have taken place to date with the new IFES union (OPEIU Local 2). Thereby, IFES seeks an experienced employee/labor relations and legal professional to serve as the leader within the organization on all issues related to the union, including serving as the lead negotiator with union representatives on a collective bargaining agreement that benefits both employees and the organization, and managing union issues prior to and after the conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement. The General Counsel and Vice President will be responsible for the complex managerial and analytical work that will impact the strategy and direction of the organization in terms of all future employee/labor policies, agreements, and relations.Â

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES of the Vice President:

As General Counsel:
• Provide analysis, advice and legal counsel to the President/CEO and other senior managers, and staff where appropriate, regarding all legal aspects of IFES†operations and programs;
• Prepare for and represent the organization in all legal/administrative actions as required;
• Develop relationships with external counsel, refer matters to them where appropriate, and manage the work of external counsel;
• Keep apprised of all legal developments affecting the organization, and ensure it is compliant with all its legal obligations and responsibilities;
• Develop and oversee a legal risk mitigation strategy, in consultation with the President/CEO and the Executive Leadership Team;
• Periodically review all insurance programs (including GCL, malpractice, D&O, etc.) including ongoing risk analysis;
• Provide day-today oversight of IFES†security contract; and
• Assist with and support all other job-related legal duties and special projects, as assigned, and directed by the President/CEO.

In overseeing the Human Resources:
• Develop and guide implementation of a Human Resources strategy for the organization that will make IFES an employer of choice, attract world-class talent, and provide a rewarding and collaborative working environment for all IFES staff in the U.S. and around the world;
• Provide overall advice and direction to the CEO and the Director of Human Resources with respect to organizational development, talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, performance management, employee engagement initiatives, training and development, onboarding, and disciplinary actions if they arise;
• Promote the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and accountability within the organization.
• Partner with the CEO and the Executive Leadership Team to influence, educate and guide actions relating to human resources, including DEI strategy.
• Mobilize management and staff to drive a culture of inclusion and belonging for all colleagues;
• Evaluate existing initiatives, programs, and policies, and recommend additions and enhancements in order to deliver on the Human Resource strategy and to promote a more diverse and inclusive culture and workforce; and
• Work with and brief the IFES Board of Directors on matters under their purview.

In overseeing the Labor Relations:
• Lead on all union related matters including:
• Negotiating a collective bargaining agreement;
• Managing any discussions with the union on policy matters and individual staff matters that require or would benefit from union consultation, in advance of a collective bargaining agreement being reached; and
• Overseeing implementation of all aspects of the collective bargaining agreement once it is reached, including formal and informal grievance proceedings and workplace investigations.
• Advise the President/CEO, the Executive Leadership Team, the Senior Leadership Team, and other managers on union-related matters.
• Manage other employee/labor relations areas as they arise or are assigned by the President/CEO.

As IFES initially enters into the formal unionization process:
• Serve as the central staff member relating to all contracts relating to the collective bargaining agreement (CRA) and how to support and manage employees in a union environment;
• Build a respectful and professional relationship with the new IFES union (OPEIU Local 2) as the parties enter into a collective bargaining agreement;
• Oversee all union matters throughout the negotiation process of a collective bargaining agreement; and
• Be responsible for the analyzing and costing out of bargaining proposals and counter proposals.

After the completion of the successful negotiation process of a collective bargaining agreement:
• Act as the representative of IFES management with the newly constituted union to confer processes, grievances, and disciplinary actions and other employee and labor relations activities;
• Provide ongoing advice and consultation to IFES managers and supervisors on ongoing issues of employee performance, conduct, and all aspects of performance management to include notices of discipline and grievance processes;
• Conduct and coordinate internal factual investigations regarding labor relations workplace issues and produce investigative reports;
• Serve as the designated EEO Manager, in evaluating complaints of discrimination, policies, identifying areas needing improvement; and
• Stay current with national trends within the nonprofit community and federal, state, and local laws as they relate to unionization.

WHY JOIN IFES?

Would you thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment working with committed and talented people making a meaningful difference to the protection and promotion of democracy worldwide? At IFES our team members are our greatest assets. We are mission and values driven. We offer competitive benefits, pay and career development. We center the rights of marginalized people in the work we do and strongly encourage Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; women; persons with disabilities; youth; and LGBTQ+ people to apply.

WHAT IFES OFFERS
• Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage
• Monthly Benefit Allowance paid directly to all employees
• Employer paid life and AD&D insurance at 3x base salary
• 401(k) retirement plan with 1:1 employer match up to 6%
• Employer paid Short and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Generous vacation (starting at 3 weeks per year and increasing with time of service), sick leave and personal leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible work arrangements

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

IFES provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, criminal history, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

TO APPLY

Please electronically send a cover letter addressing your specific qualifications with respect to the position requirementsoutlined above along with salary expectations and a chronologically organized resume to: (see below) . Â Â Â

Thank you for your interest in the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
• Education (formal degree/certification requirements):
• Bachelor's degree required. (Degree in human resources administration or business administration, or a related field preferred).
• JD from an accredited law school required and be a member in good standing of a bar in a state/territory of the US or the District of Columbia.
• HR Certification (SHRM-SPC or SPHR or similar) is preferred.
• Experience/Knowledge:
• Minimum of 11 years of progressive experience supporting all facets of human resources and labor relations. Work experience for a non-profit organization is preferred;
• Thorough understanding of and familiarity with applicate state and federal employment law; experience working with a multi-state and/or international environment is preferred;
• Minimum of three, preferably five or more years of labor relations experience with unionized workforces, including collective bargaining, processing grievances, disciplinary principles, practices, and procedures is required;
• History of conducting investigative employment related interviews;
• History of working for the union and/or management sides on a union CBA negotiation is considered valuable;
• Must be knowledgeable about Virginia and federal employment laws to include ERISA, NLRA, FMLA, FLSA, EEO, etc.; and
• Project management capabilities, including oversight of budgets, is desirable.
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• Personal Attributes:
• Strong commitment to ethics, integrity, and accountability;
• Possess clear decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical skill sets;
• Possess a strong work ethic and ability to work with, and honor, confidential and sensitive material;
• Possess the ability to productively address and bring to consensus differing opinions in union negotiations and employee related matters;
• Possess the ability to exhibit a high level of confidentiality within and outside IFES regarding all data and information obtained through the course of daily work;
• Demonstrated ability to display good judgment, successfully sort through multiple high priorities, and maintain a sense of perspective and humor while working under pressure;
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage professionally with all levels within the organization;
• Be self-motivated with the need for limited supervision; and
• Must have a genuine belief in, and a heartfelt commitment to, the importance of democracy building on a worldwide basis
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