Head of Office, Office of Deputy Secretary-General (Mrs Masire-Mwamba)

Reference: 121000433
Location: London, UK | Salary: details at 'How to apply'
Closing Date: 5 Dec 2012

Job Summary

The Head of the Office will assist the Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) in discharging her responsibilities by providing policy advice and overseeing the management of her office including its long term planning, day-to-day operations and adherence to corporate standards and compliance obligations as part of Secretary-General's Office division.

The Head of Office of DSG (MM) will:

Review recommendations made to the DSG by line divisions, analysing their political, financial and operational implications as well as other relevant factors, and provide policy advice accordingly;
Develop and formulate policy advice for specific initiatives for the consideration of the DSG;
Manage the interface and confidential assessment of divisional issues under the DSG’s area of responsibility including financial processes, travel requests and human resources related matters.
Maintain contact with Commonwealth governments through High Commissions and directly in capitals, as well as with relevant international and regional organisations and civil society groups, in order to facilitate engagement with these stakeholders by the DSG;
Prepare and vet draft letters, memoranda and speeches for the DSG, co-ordinate the preparation of briefing materials for the DSG’s meetings, and prepare records of meetings when required;
Liaise with the Director SGO and other counterpart Heads of Offices in SGO on matters requiring co-ordination within the division as well as across all divisions, as appropriate;
Co-ordinate the strategic planning and budgeting exercises for the divisions reporting to the DSG;
Co-ordinate the performance appraisal system for officers reporting to the DSG;
Manage the office of the DSG, providing guidance to the Executive Assistant and ensuring that corporate standards and obligations are met;
Travel with the DSG on official duty when required;
Perform other duties that may be assigned by the DSG.

Qualifications and Work Experience

A degree and a post graduate qualification in subjects such as Law, Business Administration, Economics, or Political Science.
Ten years of providing advice to senior management in a government department, or international or regional organisation.
Policy formulation with demonstrable impact.
Significant policy formulation experience in an international context.
Experience in working in a multilateral and/or intergovernmental organisation.
Working in a multidisciplinary and/or multicultural staff setting.

About the Office of Deputy Secretary-General (MM)

The Office of Deputy Secretary-General (MM) is part of the wider Secretary-General’s Office (SGO) division, which includes the Office of the Secretary-General; the Offices of the Deputy Secretaries-General; the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General; the Project Management and Referrals Unit; and, the Hubs-and-Spokes capacity building partnership with the European Commission.

The 3-strong Office of Deputy Secretary-General (MM) comprises Deputy Secretary-General Masire-Mwamba and the Head of Office and an Executive Assistant.

The Deputy Secretary-General interacts regularly and widely with a large number of constituencies at senior levels. These include governments, other inter-governmental organisations, civil society groups and the media. The Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) is responsible for line management, oversight and high-level leadership of: Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division, Political Affairs Division, Youth Affairs Division and the Human Rights Unit. The DSG is also part of the senior management group in the Secretariat, notably being a member of the Management Committee. In addition to the support received from divisions, the DSG relies on the availability of strong professional policy advice, support and assistance from her own executive office in carrying out these responsibilities and associated duties.