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Adviser & Head of Caribbean/Pacific Section - Political Affairs Division

12:03:00 PM

Reference: 130400461
Location: London, UK | Salary: £82,309 per annum gross
Closing Date: 20 May 2013

Job Summary

The Adviser and Head of Section monitors and analyses political developments relating to the 24 Commonwealth countries of the Caribbean and Pacific regions as well as the relevant regional organisations, e.g. the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF); is currently primarily responsible for the Commonwealth Secretariat’s political relations with the United Nations in New York; identifies, prioritises and advises on policy issues in these areas to provide a basis for the Secretariat's decision-making and programmes; works together with the Democracy and Good Offices Sections of the Division to promote Commonwealth values and principles; and manages the team of professional and support staff in the Caribbean/Pacific Section.  The role also involves frequent travel overseas, including with the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General.
The post-holder:
  • Advises the Director, Deputy Secretary-General and Secretary-General on political issues in his/her areas of responsibility;
  • Prepares policy papers and briefing materials, including speeches, for the Secretary-General and other senior officers, on assigned member countries and regional and international issues, both for bilateral consultations as well as in the context of regional and international meetings, and co-ordinates and integrates the contributions from other divisions into briefing documents;
  • Provides leadership to the Caribbean/Pacific team, continuously seeking to motivate and guide them and promote the efficient functioning of the Section;
  • Manages the Caribbean/Pacific Section by undertaking administrative and management duties including effective planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluating and control over the delivery and quality of programmes.
  • Supports meetings of the Secretary-General and other senior officials with Heads of Government, ministers, high level officials, and senior representatives of international and non-governmental organisations.
  • Contributes to the selection of observers and preparation of briefing material for Commonwealth election observer missions as required; also participates in observer missions when needed and assists with post-mission reports;
  • Supports the Secretary-General's Good Offices role, including as the Secretary-General's emissary when required;
  • Represents the Secretariat externally at international seminars, conferences and workshops and promotes the Commonwealth through speaking engagements to a broad range of official, academic and civil society fora.
  • Performs any other duties as may be required from time to time, including supervising the work of the Division in the Director’s absence when required to do so.

Qualifications and Work Experience

  • A post graduate degree or other advanced qualification in a relevant subject such as political science or international relations.
  • Minimum ten years’ experience in providing policy advice to senior management in a Government department or international or regional organisation, especially on Caribbean and/or Pacific issues;
  • Minimum ten years’ experience of supervising multi-disciplinary staff;
Desirable:
  • Significant policy formulation experience in an international context;
  • Experience of working in a multilateral organisation.

About the Political Affairs Division

The Political Affairs Division (PAD) is the lead division in the Secretariat’s high-profile programme for the promotion of democracy and good governance in the Commonwealth.  The Division is responsible to the Deputy Secretary-General supervising political work and also works closely with the Secretary-General, providing him with advice and support on all political issues and particularly in his Good Offices role.  Its work ranges from monitoring and analysis of political developments and the preparation of briefings, to the organisation of election observation and the provision of technical assistance. The work is often of great sensitivity and involves demanding timetables. PAD is also responsible for organising and servicing the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the annual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting and meetings of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).

Further Information

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