Head of Strategy and Communications

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.

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.

Oversee…