Research Officer (Small States, Environment and Economic Management) Economic Affairs Division
COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT
Research Officer
(Small States, Environment and Economic Management)
Economic Affairs Division
(Small States, Environment and Economic Management)
Economic Affairs Division
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 and have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom. 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 £33,318 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 26 October 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.
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Division: Pay point: K
Research Officer EAD
Reports to: Head of Section (Small States, Environment and Economic Management)
General Information
The Economic Affairs Division is responsible for the Secretariat’s programmes on national and international economic issues, and for assisting member countries to improve economic management and governance. It plays a key role in helping to identify solutions to the economic problems affecting Commonwealth countries; and in providing advocacy on the specific problems of small states; in achieving an international consensus on these solutions; in providing advice to governments on policy development. Practical assistance for sustainable economic development is a core Secretariat activity and a high priority for Commonwealth governments.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Head of Section, and working as part of a small team, the post holder supports work on sustainable development, environment and climate change: providing research and policy analysis inputs; assisting with project management; supporting the implementation of meetings; preparing draft briefs for senior officials; and maintaining and updating materials on the Commonwealth Secretariat’s website.
Specific areas of focus include: climate finance; and tools and advocacy in the implementation of green economy/low-carbon, climate-resilience growth in developing countries of the Commonwealth; and environmental governance.
Task description
Task description
The post holder will:
1. Provide substantive technical research and policy analytical support as an input to programme development and implementation, and through inputs to terms of reference for papers, substantive papers and the identification of experts.
2. Support programme and project management within the section by:
• Assisting in the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, project documentation, programme and project status reports and other project information;
• Arranging and overseeing the administration of short-term experts contracts;
• Assisting in the monitoring of budgets and implementation milestones; and the communication of results; and
• Providing logistical support for meetings, on-line networking, and the delivery of capacity building activities and publications.
• Assisting in the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, project documentation, programme and project status reports and other project information;
• Arranging and overseeing the administration of short-term experts contracts;
• Assisting in the monitoring of budgets and implementation milestones; and the communication of results; and
• Providing logistical support for meetings, on-line networking, and the delivery of capacity building activities and publications.
3. Draft terms of reference for contracts.
4. Draft briefs for senior Commonwealth officials.
5. Develop, update and input material on the Commonwealth Secretariat website and other Commonwealth portals to ensure results from programme activities are widely disseminated and applied. Prepare inputs to publications, as required.
6. Perform any other duties that may be assigned.
Person specification:
Education and Experience
• An undergraduate degree in environmental policy, environmental economics, geography, political science, development studies or a related field.
• A minimum of three years’ policy-related experience with a specific focus on environment.
• Experience in conducting research, analysing and preparing reports on environmental issues.
• An understanding of development issues.
• A minimum of three years’ policy-related experience with a specific focus on environment.
• Experience in conducting research, analysing and preparing reports on environmental issues.
• An understanding of development issues.
Desirable:
• A postgraduate degree in environmental policy, environmental economics, or a related field such as geography, political science or development studies with a specific focus on environment and development issues
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.
Identifies biases in systems & processes
Working with Others
Regularly shares information of value with colleagues
Shows commitment to delivering on key agreements made to colleagues
Makes an effort to view a situation from the other party’s perspective as well
Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to colleagues’ pressures
Utilises networks to ensure similar goals are achieved collaboratively
Develops long term relationships across cultures and/or geographical boundaries
Uses relationships to identify the best people to help in the completion of tasks
Tactfully deals with difficult people to gain buy-in and manage their expectations
Developing & Applying Expertise
Takes advantage of opportunities to develop an area of expertise
Takes learning from previous experience and applies them appropriately
Demonstrates willingness to learn new skills and/or approaches
Adapting & Innovating
Recognises opportunities for improvement and proposes change with impact and effect
Helps others evaluate and strengthen ideas
Quickly grasps new concepts and how to apply them
Demonstrates flexibility e.g. by working beyond own remit in order to achieve an objective inter alia
Will effectively reorganise activities when faced with changing contexts and demands
Welcomes and adapts to new ideas and/or approaches
Adapts personal style to meet the needs of others
Accountability
Takes ownership of assigned tasks, honours deadlines.
Ensures timely delivery of outputs within defined cost and quality standard parameters.
Takes ownership of assigned tasks, honours deadlines (L1)
Ensures timely delivery of outputs (L1)
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.
Identifies biases in systems & processes
Working with Others
Regularly shares information of value with colleagues
Shows commitment to delivering on key agreements made to colleagues
Makes an effort to view a situation from the other party’s perspective as well
Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to colleagues’ pressures
Utilises networks to ensure similar goals are achieved collaboratively
Develops long term relationships across cultures and/or geographical boundaries
Uses relationships to identify the best people to help in the completion of tasks
Tactfully deals with difficult people to gain buy-in and manage their expectations
Developing & Applying Expertise
Takes advantage of opportunities to develop an area of expertise
Takes learning from previous experience and applies them appropriately
Demonstrates willingness to learn new skills and/or approaches
Adapting & Innovating
Recognises opportunities for improvement and proposes change with impact and effect
Helps others evaluate and strengthen ideas
Quickly grasps new concepts and how to apply them
Demonstrates flexibility e.g. by working beyond own remit in order to achieve an objective inter alia
Will effectively reorganise activities when faced with changing contexts and demands
Welcomes and adapts to new ideas and/or approaches
Adapts personal style to meet the needs of others
Accountability
Takes ownership of assigned tasks, honours deadlines.
Ensures timely delivery of outputs within defined cost and quality standard parameters.
Takes ownership of assigned tasks, honours deadlines (L1)
Ensures timely delivery of outputs (L1)
1 October 2012
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