The CPA is seeking a Head of Strategy and Communications (maternity cover - 1 year fixed) to lead and manage the CPA's Strategy and Communications Team, which comprises the Private Office of the CPA Secretary-General and the CPA's strategic planning, governance, communications and internal and external engagement functions.
S/he will work directly with the CPA Secretary-General to ensure they are fully supported in all of their functions and in the governance of the organisation. This includes assisting the CPA Secretary-General in their Chief Executive Officer role on matters of managerial oversight, the administration of the CPA Headquarters Secretariat, strategic planning, legal status and CPA's internal and external relations.
It also includes the CPA Communications team, responsible for setting the Communications Strategy for the CPA and the delivery and management of all key communications channels, and the Gender Lead position, responsible for providing strategic overview of the CPA's gender thematic priorities for the Association and leading delivery of the CPA's commitment to embedding gender equality and the empowerment of women.
The post-holder is a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and will directly line-manage three members of staff and lead a team of six.
This is a position based in our CPA Headquarters in London, UK (hybrid working) and is maternity cover for one-year (fixed term).
Duties
1. Lead and manage the Private Office of the Secretary-General to support the exercise of his functions, activities and outreach, which includes but is not restricted to:
• Ensuring coordination with the other organs of the CPA on matters of common concern and delivery, including through the organisation and follow up of meetings of governing bodies and working groups of the CPA;
• Acting as a sounding board for the Secretary-General to help to resolve any challenges on the progress of CPA proposals.
• Acting as a key liaison between the SG and internal stakeholders (e.g. staff, CPA Chairperson and Executive Committee and CPA Branches) and external stakeholders (e.g. the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth organisations, UN bodies and other partner organisations, London-based Commonwealth High Commissions and UK Government Departments).
• Managing the team to organise the Secretary-General's budgets, diary and meetings, correspondence, travel, media and participation in CPA programmes.
• Recording details of internal discussions and the decisions taken, as well as undertaking the necessary follow up and implementation of agreed actions.
• Drafting speeches, governance papers, policy and constitutional documents and briefings for the Secretary-General, CPA Chairperson and CPA membership.
• Reviewing work from across the Secretariat prior to final sign-off from the Secretary-General.
• Coordinating inbound visitors and meetings with Commonwealth dignitaries and delegations at CPA Headquarters.
• Supporting the Secretary-General in his Good Offices work with CPA Branches.
• Progressing the CPA's work on Human Rights, which includes identifying and pursuing relevant opportunities and potential partnerships to strengthen our work in this area and acting as Secretary to the CPA Committee on Human Rights and Peace.
• Keeping abreast of wider CPA and Commonwealth developments and alerting the Secretary-General as necessary.
• Accompanying, where appropriate, the Secretary-General on duty travel to CPA programmes, bilateral visits, external events and conferences.
• Representing and speaking on behalf of the CPA at relevant events when needed.
2. Work alongside the Secretary-General, and others in the Secretariat, to develop and implement CPA Strategic Plans, including:
· Developing objectives, implementation tools and performance indicators in the strategic planning of the CPA;
· Producing relevant plans and reports, including impact documents.
Working on their implementation, M&E and reporting to CPA governing bodies.
Liaising with the Head of Fundraising in pursuing partnership and funding opportunities to further the CPA's strategic objectives.
3. Oversee the development and implementation of our organisation's outreach and communications functions, including:
· Liaising with communications staff to oversee the strategic design, implementation and management of online and off-line communications.
· Collaborating in devising innovative ways to promote the CPA and our work across our member parliaments and external stakeholders.
· Reviewing external content and communications across CPA's activities including e-newsletters, press releases, video projects, publications and toolkits.
4. Work with the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General to support the good governance of the organisation, including:
· Working with the Secretary-General to finalise details around the CPA's new legal status.
· Assisting in the co-ordination of Executive Committee Meetings and annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences, and preparing policy and constitutional papers and briefings for these, as well as supporting the Secretary-General and CPA Chairperson in the run up to, and during, these commitments.
5. Support the Gender Lead in delivering the CPA's commitment to embed gender equality within its work and structures, including:
· Assisting in translating strategic objectives into deliverables that mainstream gender equality within the CPA's work.
· Supporting the Gender Lead to pursue relevant partnerships, research and funding opportunities to further the CPA's gender work.
· Facilitating the development of related advocacy campaigns, events and MoU's.
6. Undertake commensurate duties as required in the proper fulfilment of the role.
Person Specification
Essential
• Ability to write clearly on complex issues, producing documents requiring little or no correction.
• High attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to develop effective working relationships, work flexibly across professional and operational boundaries and communicate diplomatically with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly proficient IT skills.
• A sound appreciation of a political environment and ability to operate effectively within a complex and nuanced decision-making context.
• Good working knowledge of parliamentary strengthening or a similar international development sphere.
• Track record and experience of project management, designing and implementing complex internal processes or equivalent.
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of performing in a senior managerial role within an international membership organisation or similar inter-governmental or inter-parliamentary body.
• Experience of supporting or advising a governing/decision-making body.
• A track record of planning their own and others' work effectively, working at pace with the ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Proven experience in line-management and the ability to lead, inspire and motivate a team, foster enthusiasm and innovation.
• Evidence of strategic planning and reporting skills, including the use of monitoring and evaluation frameworks and tools.
• Willingness to undertake duty travel overseas (around four times a year for at least a week at a time).
• Understanding of, and commitment to, gender sensitivity.
Desirable
• Significant experience of working within an international multicultural setting.
• International experience gained from working within a Parliament, Commonwealth body and/or other international institution.
• A track record of developing effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, parliamentary staff and international organisations.