APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT SECRETARIAT HEADQUARTERS
You will find attached the job description of the role and general information on the section; the person specification specifically defines the education, experience and competencies required for the post and the summary terms and conditions for the grade of the position.
Before you proceed to apply, either online, ensuring you quote the correct vacancy number, or to our HQ-Recruitment address, please consider if you meet the following generic requirements;
• You must be a national of a Commonwealth Country. Please provide evidence with your application
• It is the Commonwealth Secretariat’s policy not to employ close relatives of current members of staff.
• All appointments are subject to satisfactory references. You will be required to provide details of three referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent employer and one for your employer prior to that, ensuring that you account for the last two years of your employment history in your application. Referees should not be related to you and should be able to give an assessment of your professional abilities as well as your character. We will not take up references until after any qualified offer of employment has been made.
• You would be required to produce evidence of any educational and professional qualifications to support your application, on the day of your interview.
• Salary on appointment is £82,309 per annum subject to deductions of National Insurance contributions and Commonwealth Secretariat internal income tax (paid at UK income tax rates).
If you wish to be considered for this post, please ensure that you submit your curriculum vitae together with a covering letter setting out your experience and skills in relation to the person specification, competencies and other requirements for the post.
Please ensure that you complete the Monitoring Form and return with your application.
Your application should be received no later than Friday 23 November 2012
You should also be aware that due to the volume of applications the Secretariat receives and the need to reduce costs, it is our practice to communicate further about this vacancy only with those who are short listed and invited to attend an interview. If you do not hear from us within three months of the closing date, you may assume that your application has not been successful.
Thank you for your interest.
Edith Lawrence
Direct Tel: +44 020 6186
Direct Fax: +44 020 6520
E-mail: HQ-Recruitment@commonwealth.int
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
General Information
The Economic Affairs Division is responsible for the Secretariat’s programmes on national and international economic issues and, with other divisions, for assisting member countries to improve economic policy-making, management and governance. It plays a key role in helping to identify solutions to the economic problems affecting Commonwealth developing countries; in achieving an international consensus on these solutions through analytical/ diagnostic work and advocacy; and in providing advice to governments on policy development. Practical assistance for economic development is a core Secretariat activity and a high priority for governments.
The Division’s International Trade and Regional Co-operation Section undertakes work directed towards: promoting common approaches and courses of action on trade policy issues, with the aim of fostering multilateral trade, taking account of the special requirements of developing member countries; enhancing member governments capacity to adapt and develop trade and competition policies in tune with changes in the international trade system; helping institutions in member countries to formulate and implement trade and development policies for export of goods and services; prompting effective national and regional strategies and approaches to particular issues in regional co-operation; and providing policy advice and other forms of assistance in support of regional integration programmes involving Commonwealth countries. The Section is also concerned with organising workshops and country missions to promote trade policy reforms in member countries. In addition, it contributes to the Division’s work on general development issues.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Director of Economic Affairs Division, the Head of Section for the International Trade and Regional Cooperation Section leads the work and manages the team on trade policy issues, particularly as they pertain to low-income countries and vulnerable small states. This work will focus on WTO, ACP/EU and regional integration issues and will involve analytical/diagnostic studies; advocacy and consensus building; policy development; and advice. The Head of Section is responsible for delivering Commonwealth leaders-level mandates in regard to international trade, provides expert advice and support, represents the Secretariat, and organises, manages and services high-level Commonwealth regional meetings and performs management functions. The job requires overseas travel, often at short notice.
Task Description
The post holder will:
1. Provide professional leadership for the Divisions work on international trade and regional cooperation and manages the International Trade and Regional Co-operation Section in providing analysis and policy advice to Commonwealth developing countries and regional organisations on the development of strategies, methodologies and programmes for their more effective participation in the multilateral trading system by:
• monitoring and analysing relevant international developments and preparing briefs/publications on them;
• participating in technical and governmental meetings; and
• commissioning expert reports, managing consultants, when required, and disseminating their findings.
2. Provide specialist professional inputs and strategic advise particularly to low-income countries and vulnerable small economies, in formulating and negotiating trade policy in the context of the WTO and ACP-EU negotiations by leading the work on:
• monitoring and analysing negotiations and other related developments in the WTO and within the context of ACP-EU relations;
• assisting in the preparations of background papers and negotiating proposals, as required by governments; and
• participating in technical meetings.
• Provide lead advice and support at a senior level to governments to forge national and international consensus in fostering multilateral trade on fair and equitable terms by: strategic planning and monitoring and exercising control over the delivery and quality of analytical and research services to members;
• appraising new requests for assistance
• taking a leading role in the organisation of ministerial and officials meetings/workshops;
• preparing policy papers and reports for ministerial meetings, identifying critical issues; and
• taking responsibility for preparation of background documentation and dissemination of the outcomes of the meetings/workshops.
3. Lead high-level advisory missions to promote effective regional integration to member governments by:
• undertaking and/or commissioning analytical studies and disseminating their results;
• representing the Secretariat at technical meetings; and
• leading missions to provide policy advice, on request from governments.
4. Develops strategic partnerships and initiatives with and networks and collaborates with regional and international agencies and professional bodies as well as working with other Secretariat divisions in the development and implementation of joint programmes of assistance in Commonwealth countries.
5. Represents the Secretariat by participating in seminars, colloquia and workshops as required, promotes the Commonwealth through speaking engagements to a broad range of international, economic, academic and NGO fora;
6. Manages the Section and supervises the work of the staff by undertaking administrative and management duties including;
• negotiating objectives and regularly assessing performance and training needs and providing feedback to the team;
• Planning, budgeting and evaluation;
• assisting with all aspects of operations as necessary;
• ensuring that procedures and checklists are in place;
• communicating regularly with team members to ensure they are informed on all aspects of EAD and Secretariat wide operations, policies and procedures and
• continuously seeking to identify improvements in the content, scope and depth of the programme on international trade and regional cooperation, as well as methods of delivery
7. Develop proposals for the Divisional Strategic and Operational Plans, taking account of the Division’s objectives, resource availability and needs.
8. Perform any other duties as may be required by the Director, including supervising the work of the Division in the Director’s absence when required to do so and undertaking leadership and management responsibilities in the division, as and when necessary.
Person Specifications
Education:
• A Post-Graduate degree in Economics or a relevant Post-Graduate degree with strong Economic components.
Desirable:
• Ph.D in Economics
Experience:
• Proven extensive expertise in international trade policy formulation and management in developing countries.
• A working knowledge and familiarity with WTO, ACP/EU and regional integration issues in the developing world.
Desirable:
• Extensive experience and familiarity with trade related issues, processes and institutions of small states and/or less developed countries.
• Experience in international development assistance work and with regional organisations.
• Good record of publications in relevant area of specialisation.
• Previous experience in managing staff and resources.
Competencies:
Respect for Diversity
Works effectively with people from all backgrounds.
Treats all people with dignity and respect. Treats men and women equally.
Shows respect and understanding of diverse points of view and demonstrates understanding in daily work and decision making.
Examine own biases and behaviours to avoid stereotypical responses and does not discriminate against any individual or group.
Challenges others to rectify biases in behaviour, systems & process
Communication
Mentors a number of employees at a senior level
Recognises the talent in the Commonwealth Secretariat, seeking to develop, support, and grow it
Directs the energy of the organisation towards a common goal
Provides an example to others by demonstrating moral courage in the face of challenging circumstances
Planning & Analysis
Effectively assesses and advises on major programmes/activities at a divisional level
Balances focus in order to deliver both Commonwealth Secretariat and member states’ goals
Ability to interpret incomplete and/or ambiguous information
Effectively analyses and assesses new or uncertain critical situations
Adapting & Innovating
Identifies opportunities to improve divisional operations and effectively gains buy-in
Evaluates impact of improvement initiatives
Remains receptive to and encourages innovative ideas from more junior colleagues
Initiates change that will enable programme/team to fulfil objectives in light of changing circumstances
Adhering to Principles & Values
Sets example and embodies Commonwealth Secretariat principles and values
Demonstrably protects the reputation of the Commonwealth Secretariat
Interprets and implements Commonwealth Secretariat principles and values
Ensures that division/programmes operate in a manner aligned to the values and principles of the organisation
Leadership & Development
Mentors a number of employees at a senior level
Recognises the talent in the Commonwealth Secretariat, seeking to develop, support, and grow it
Directs the energy of the organisation towards a common goal
Provides an example to others by demonstrating moral courage in the face of challenging circumstances
Provide top level professional advice in strategic issues at management committee, board of governors & EXCO level. Lead on strategic issues.
Please See Attachment for Application Form & Terms and Conditions |
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