Careers at SAI

SAI offers a fast-paced, dynamic environment driven by dedicated staff that are committed to advancing the human rights of workers in workplaces around the world. Staff members come from diverse backgrounds and are committed to achieving our mission through the voluntary SA8000 social standard for decent work, and the expansion of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development initiatives.

SAI is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, legally protected medical condition or disability.

Current Opportunities: 

• Director of Operations - New York, U.S.
• Internships - New York, U.S.
• Internships - Bangalore, India

Director of Operations

Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Operations is responsible for management, implementation, and mentoring to three departments—Development, Communications, Research and Stakeholder Relations --plus over a dozen representatives abroad, in cooperation with the CFO and Director of Training and Corporate Programs. The Director of Operations shall be responsible for implementation of the relevant aspects of SAI’s annual plans, in coordination with the Director of Corporate Programs & Training and the CFO. This includes assuring on-time and within budget delivery of program operations plus supervision and performance evaluations for department staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective and inspiring leadership by being actively involved and knowledgeable in all SAI programs and services, as well as the context of SAI’s work in CSR and human rights
• Lead a high performing team of department directors and regional representatives to the next level by further developing and implementing recruitment, training, and retention strategies, including annual performance reviews, and also lead in selection, assignment and training of interns.
  • Convene weekly staff meetings; and ensure staff are current on and actively supportive of each others’ programs; meet weekly with departments to track high quality and on-time delivery, identify and address any challenges; communicate weekly with field staff, Senior Advisors, and authorized representatives.
  • Supervise and set quality standards for all programs and staff; oversee program evaluation.
  • Support and participate in partnership implementation for program delivery and mission implementation.
• Develop and execute annual operations plan, manage department teams in support of SAI’s annual goals and mission.  Supervise, manage, coordinate, implement and support the fulfillment by staff, authorized reps, Senior Advisors and consultants of the goals and objectives of the departments:
  • Development (proposal development & fund-raising)
  • Communications (marketing and and content development)
  • Research and Stakeholder Relations (build and maintain active relations with stakeholders)
    • Standards and Guidance development
  • Field Activities (coordinate with global team of Country Representatives & Senior Advisors- marketing, curriculum development and fundraising)
• Participate actively in strategy, writing, design, pitching, and budgeting of funding requests and in marketing
• Develop capacity of field staff to contribute to enrollment and development of course content, guidance for their regions, and fund raising

Qualifications and core competencies

• At least 7 years professional experience, with a track record of success. Minimum five years supervising seasoned staff.
• Passionate about SAI’s mission and able to promote and communicate the philosophy, mission and value of SAI to external and internal stakeholders. Consistently demonstrating honor and dedication to a public service mission.
• Familiarity with ILO conventions and other labor and human rights standards, capacity building, training, inspection procedures, standard development, publications, business management systems, marketing and fundraising.
• Familiarity with international workplace human rights, CSR issues and organizations.
• Business management and building skills, including superior organizational leadership skills—recruiting and retaining, motivating, organizing—with a record of achieving targeted outcomes.
• Understanding of business case and implementation tools for responsible supply chain management and global fair employment practices. Keen ability to set priorities and deliver high quality work with limited resources.
• Strong relationship builder and communicator with experience leading diverse work teams. A track record of developing and motivating team members, including those who work abroad.
• Success with previous fundraising and marketing experiences
• Tangible examples of reporting and program measurement and evaluation.
• Masters or PhD in a related discipline.

The job position is based in SAI Headquarters in New York City.  Compensation commensurate with experience and appropriate for a charitable organization of SAI’s size. Excellent benefits package. SAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Internships - New York, U.S. 

SAI seeks highly motivated interns and volunteers interested in promotion of ethical workplaces worldwide. These positions require interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR), and how businesses implement standards for respecting labor rights and addressing overall workplace issues.

Issue Areas

Elimination of Sweatshops; Corporate Social Responsibility; Business and Human Rights; Monitoring of Labor Standards in workplaces

Internship/Volunteer Job Description

Internship/volunteer areas vary according to experience and interest. Internship/volunteer duties include organizational support to all departments, administrative assistance to the Executive Director, and research activities related to measurement of the economic and social impact of the use of SA8000 and of the work of SAI, including, but not limited to:

Requirements

Preferred applicants are graduate/undergraduate students that can work independently, and meet deadlines effectively. All applicants must have strong writing and research skills, and be interested in the field of human rights, corporate social responsibility, elimination of child labor and sweatshops. International experience and/or language skills are a plus.

In addition, individual applicants who feel that they can make a positive contribution to Social Accountability International by bringing a different combination of skills pertaining to the internship are also required to apply.

Location: internship/volunteer positions are unpaid and based in SAI's New York headquarters

Internship length: flexible, minimum 2 months, 15 hours a week. 

How to Apply

Positions available for unpaid part-time semester or full-time internships available every semester. Interested students should submit a resume and writing sample to recruits@sa-intl.org. 

Internships - Bangalore, India 

SAI seeks interns based in Bangalore, India to support SAI’s programs in the region. Interns would report to SAI India Project Director, Rishi Sher Singh.

Internship Areas

• Classroom and factory level trainings in garments sector for RAGS Project
• Training & capacity building projects in multi sectors
• Multi-stakeholder initiatives

Responsibilities

• Research: Indian labor law, SA8000 linkages, local labor codes & various social compliance initiatives
• Communications: prepare & coordinate promotional materials, newsletter, website articles
• Trainings & Events: coordinate schedules for training workshops & stakeholder consultations, including venues, catering, and printed materials
• Feedback support: collect and analyze surveys and other feedbacks from participants
• Management: assist the India Project Director & coordinate with SAI HQ in USA

Requirements

Applicants should have interest & commitment to human rights, labor standards and social development issues in the developing regions. Applicants should possess initiative, excellent references & strong communication skills. Research oriented thinking and related skills are preferred. A strong organizer, who can multitask & meet deadlines effectively, person who possesses excellent computer skills is preferred.

• Language: good business English, knowledge of Hindi, Tamil, Kannada or Gujarati is preferred 
• Education: undergraduate students that are pursuing or have completed coursework in social studies, supply chain, CSR, sustainability, management, human rights, communication and other related fields  
• Internship Length: commitment to working 2-6 months, minimum 20 hours per week, flexible day schedule

How to Apply

Note: internships are unpaid; certain reimbursement considered upon prior approval and for official purposes only

Interested students should submit a resume and cover letter, one page-writing sample, and any inquiries to Rishi Sher Singh, SAI India Project Director at rishi@sa-intl.org.

Job/Intern/Volunteer opportunities with Social Accountability Accreditation Services:

Please visit: http://www.saasaccreditation.org/employment.htm

Email or Fax resume and cover letter to: recruits@sa-intl.org or SAI, 212-684-1515 or with the subject heading: “SAAS Internship”.