Deputy Secretary-General (Economic and Development)

Reference: 130800484
Location: London, UK | Salary: £142,215 per annum
Closing Date: 4 Oct 2013

Job Summary

The Deputy Secretary-General advises and supports the Secretary-General in the management of the Secretariat and is accountable for results in assigned areas associated with the implementation of the Strategic Plan and with other mandates agreed by Heads of Government from time to time. This includes key areas of Secretariat work relating to trade, debt, social development, environment and economic growth in small and vulnerable states. The Deputy Secretary-General is expected to be sharply and actively focused on delivering measurable results, reporting and being accountable to the Secretary-General, providing visionary leadership as well as practical management, and modelling personally core Commonwealth principles including transparency, integrity, and inclusiveness.

The current Deputy Secretary-General (Economic and Development) has line responsibility for:

Economic Affairs Division
Governance and Institutional Development Division
Social Transformation Programmes Division
Special Advisory Services Division
Hubs-and-Spokes Unit
Project Management and Referrals Unit

The post-holder:

Contributes to collective institutional management at a senior level.
Is accountable for the delivery of elements of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Strategic Plan and associated work programmes relating to support for member governments’ development and economic growth priorities. Ensures that operations in areas of responsibility and accountability adhere to the highest corporate standards of financial and administrative governance; meet expected quality standards; and, are monitored for performance and results regularly including through results based management, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, and audit processes.
Is responsible for delivery of measurable and effective Secretariat technical assistance programmes in support of capacity creation, sustainable development, poverty reduction and economic growth in Commonwealth developing member countries – particularly small states and vulnerable economies – including through ensuring the sound management and good governance of the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC)
Undertakes line management of the Directors and Divisions for which the post-holder is responsible as well as leadership to ensure effective human resources management and development in line with the organisation’s Rules, Regulations and values. This includes management to achieve delivery of measurable achievements and results, provision of policy direction, and regular guidance. It also includes supervision of balanced apportionment of resources, as well as rigorous appraisal, monitoring and evaluation.
Undertakes representation and builds and fosters relationships with representatives of Commonwealth governments including Ministers and senior officials, with counterparts in other intergovernmental organisations, with representatives of the wider family of Commonwealth organisations, and with the private sector as required. Pursues strategic partnerships and acts as the principal point of contact at the senior level with a selected number of other Commonwealth entities, notably the Commonwealth Business Council, in jointly advancing Commonwealth goals in economic growth, trade, investment and development.
Undertakes public diplomacy, including public speaking and media work, working closely with the Communication and Public Affairs Division.
Participates in the governance of the Secretariat, notably meetings of the Secretariat’s Board of Governors and its Executive Committee, and in particular provides informed contributions to Board members’ deliberations on matters concerning the Secretariat’s economic and development activities.

Qualifications and Experience

A postgraduate degree, preferably in international development, economics or a related social science field.
A first level university degree in combination with 10 additional years of qualifying senior level or executive level experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced level university degree.
Clear evidence of at least 10 to 15 years of substantive experience and results in areas of work relevant to this role. Candidates are expected to have served as either a senior official or in a senior position in organisations in the field of international development.
Experience in the management and leadership of development-related programmes and accustomed to working in different cultural settings with national, regional and international bodies.
Substantial people management experience including experience of recruiting and developing high performing and multi-professional teams; of working effectively with diversity; and, of managing and supporting change.
Ability to think strategically, including experience of strategic planning and offering sound operational advice where required.
Sound financial management skills including planning and oversight of budgets.
Excellent communication skills that are persuasive and confident in style.
Good negotiating skills, with demonstrable experience of navigating successfully on differing demands and stakeholders. Experience of effective interaction with Commonwealth governments at high levels, including Ministers and senior officials as well as senior counterparts in other international organisations.
Familiarity with project planning and monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Ability to demonstrate the core corporate values and competencies of the organisation including being able to operate in the diverse setting of the Commonwealth Secretariat.

About the Commonwealth Secretariat

The Commonwealth Secretariat is the principal intergovernmental body of the Commonwealth, responsible for advancing and achieving the shared goals of the association’s 54 member governments in advancing democracy, development and respect for diversity.

The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary-General who, as the Chief Executive of the organisation, is responsible and accountable for overall leadership, management and delivery. At the senior level, the establishment is being restructured and there will be three Deputy Secretaries-General responsible broadly for the political, development and economic, and corporate goals and programmes of the Secretariat. The Secretary-General and the three Deputy Secretaries-General comprise the Management Committee, which supports the Secretary-General in the management of the Secretariat through providing advice and through taking decisions for which the Committee is collectively accountable.

The Secretariat at present has an annual budget of approximately £50 million in three separate Funds (Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, and Commonwealth Youth Programme) and a staff establishment of upward of 300 deployed principally at the headquarters in London as well as currently at four Commonwealth Youth Centres and two Commonwealth Small States Offices situated globally.

The Secretariat is implementing a new Strategic Plan for the period from 2013/14 to 2016/17. This entails a more focussed concentration of effort on those areas where the Commonwealth at large and the Secretariat in particular have a specific or proven advantage and potential to deepen the impact of its work. The Secretariat is also consolidating Results-Based Management together with strengthened governance, cost-consciousness and accountability in alignment with contemporary international standards and norms. The Secretariat is introducing a reformed staffing structure and establishment to meet the needs of the new Strategic Plan.