Society for Labour and Development (SLD)
South India Field Coordinator
About SLD
The Society for Labour and Development (SLD) is a labour rights organisation working with workers and worker collectives to promote labour rights, social justice and gender equality. SLD works with workers across sectors, with a particular focus on women workers and workers in global supply chains.
Job Role
SLD is looking for a full-time South India Field Coordinator to coordinate and strengthen its work with garment workers and worker collectives across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
This is an intensive field-based position involving regular work with garment workers and worker collectives, as well as extensive travel across the three states. The Coordinator will support worker organising, capacity building of worker collectives, labour rights education, workplace interventions, research and documentation, while coordinating field work across the three states.
This is not an office-based position. Candidates should be comfortable spending significant time in the field and travelling extensively across South India.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate the implementation of SLD's programmes with garment workers and worker collectives across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
- Facilitate the formation, strengthening and leadership development of worker collectives, with a focus on meaningful participation of women workers.
- Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives, trainings and labour education for worker collectives on labour rights, workplace issues, labour laws, documentation and collective action.
- Support worker collectives in identifying, documenting and responding to workplace issues, including wages, working conditions, grievances and labour rights violations.
- Undertake and support field-based research, action research and documentation to generate evidence on issues affecting garment workers and inform SLD's programmes.
- Coordinate and provide technical and programmatic support to field organisers across the three states, including regular follow-up, review and sharing of field learning.
- Contribute to programme planning, monitoring, reporting, knowledge development and coordination with SLD's wider programme team and partners.
Experience & Skills
- 2 3 years of experience working with garment workers or worker collectives is necessary.
- Strong understanding of labour rights is essential.
- Experience in organising workers and/or supporting worker collectives.
- Experience in conducting trainings and building the capacity of worker collectives.
- Understanding of workplace issues and workers' struggles.
- Good understanding of gender justice and issues affecting women garment workers.
- Good writing and communication skills in English.
- Ability to document worker experiences and prepare reports and other written materials.
- Experience in field research or action research is an advantage.
- Ability to build strong relationships with workers and work closely with worker collectives.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Willingness to undertake intensive field work and extensive interstate travel.
Qualifications
- Master's degree in Labour Studies, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Human Rights, Public Policy or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- 2 3 years of relevant experience working with garment workers and/or worker collectives is required.
- Knowledge of at least one South Indian language is required.
- Knowledge of Kannada and Tamil will be an advantage.
- Strong written and spoken English.
- Willingness to travel extensively across Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Position Details
Position: South India Field Coordinator
Location: Bangalore / Tiruppur
Coverage: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
Nature of Work: Intensive field-based role with extensive travel
Employment: Full-time, 1-year contract, renewable subject to performance
Start Date: Immediate
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to haris@sld-india.org with the subject “South India Field Coordinator”.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may be filled once a suitable candidate is identified.
Important
This is an intensive field-based position. Only candidates who are comfortable spending significant time in the field and travelling extensively across South India should apply.