Senior executive officer, Director’s office

Poverty is an outrage against humanity. It robs people of dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. At Christian Aid, we have a vision that the world can and must change so that poverty is ended. To ensure this vision becomes a reality, we want everyone who works for us to share our passion and belief that the world can be different. We are now seeking to appoint a Senior Executive Officer who will support the Director and the Directorate in this mission.
Christian Aid is working to overcome poverty in some of the world’s poorest communities in around 45 countries. Regardless of race or religion, we help people to tackle the problems they face and build the life they deserve. At home and overseas we also campaign to change the structures that keep people poor, challenging inequality and injustice.
Christian Aid is seeking to recruit a Senior Executive Officer to support the Director, ensuring that she is always well briefed and well supported to use her time to best effect. The successful candidate will have considerable experience of working with colleagues and external contacts at a senior level and be willing to represent the Director at key internal meetings. The post holder must be an excellent communicator, have the ability to influence beyond their authority and use critical judgement to help prioritise the Director’s heavy workload. Although there is no requirement to be a practising Christian, the post holder must have a good knowledge of Christian churches within the UK.
Please show your suitability for this post by giving answers to the following questions: Using the guidance notes may help you formulate your answers.
Build partnerships
Give us an example of a time when you had to influence other people over whom you had no formal authority and persuade them to work in a collaborative way when there were different personal or organisational agendas.
Communicate effectively
Tell us about a time when you had to adapt your style, approach, and delivery method to communicate effectively with a mixed audience with strongly held, but differing, views eg on matters of faith or politics.
Deliver results
Please tell us about a time when, under time pressure, you took a decision or made recommendations when the situation was difficult or ambiguous.
We value the contribution each person makes to the success of our organisation. That’s why you can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, including a generous holiday allowance, a season ticket loan, and flexibility that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.
As this post is UK based, non-EC nationals will require current and valid permission to work in the UK.
Download the role profile (148 KB pdf)
To apply for this post, please download an application pack and email your completed UK & Ireland application form to:  recruitment@christian-aid.org (quoting the reference number). Alternatively, your completed application form can be printed out and posted to us at:
Christian Aid
35 Lower Marsh
Waterloo
London SE1 7RT
Please note that CVs will not be accepted.
Job reference: 352/OK
Closing date: 9am, Wednesday 17 October 2012
Interview date: Monday 29 October 2012
Christian Aid values diversity and aspires to reflect this in our workforce. We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.