Deadline: September 25, 2023
Are you driven by bringing people from across the globe – in all their diversity – into the centre of policy and decision-making? Have you experienced, first-hand, how the arts can bring about social transformation? Are you passionate about transforming systems and attitudes that entrench inequality? Do you possess exceptional strategic thinking, creativity and leadership skills? If you have a track record in managing international advocacy and creative programming and enjoy international relations, you are invited to join the dynamic team at the Commonwealth Foundation.
As Senior Manager – Advocacy and Creative Programme, you will have overall responsibility for the Advocacy and Creative Programme. Leading a diverse team of professionals, you will engage with policymakers, build partnerships with national and international entities, connect with storytellers and artists from around the world and play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and overseeing events and engagements that will take you and your work to the global stage.
Responsibilities
Your main responsibilities will include:
- Strategic planning: Developing programme work plans for the advocacy and creative programme around the Foundation’s key thematic areas – climate justice, health justice and freedom of expression – and ensuring that advocacy and creative work is intertwined.
- Project management: Overseeing advocacy and creative initiatives, including planning, budgeting, execution, and learning.
- Stakeholder engagement: Building and maintaining effective working relationships with civil society leaders, senior government officials, diplomats, storytellers and creative practitioners, and other relevant partners.
- Convening civil society: Designing, convening, and nurturing spaces and platforms – both online and in-person – for civil society and artists to amplify their voice and work, discuss, debate and make recommendations for change.
- Cross-programme collaboration: Collaborate with the wider-Foundation, particularly in harmonising their advocacy and creative work with the Foundation’s expanded programme of grants to Commonwealth civil society.
- Event management: Designing and leading impactful platforms and events where civil society can come together and influence policymakers.
- Team leadership: Managing a team of diverse, dedicated professionals, providing guidance and coaching, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Monitoring and evaluation: Working with the wider team to track performance against their progress markers and collect evidence so that the Foundation can tell their story of change.
- Reporting: Preparing reports for the board of governors and communicating programme progress and impact to stakeholders.
- Representing the Foundation: Attending and participating in meetings and events nationally and internationally.
Benefits
- Salary expectation: £51,000- £55,000.
- The Foundation is proud of their welcoming and accommodating working environment. They strive to be a great place to work.
- They offer generous holidays (almost seven weeks a year excluding public holidays). Fifteen percent of your salary is payable tax-free at stipulated periods in lieu of a formal superannuation scheme.
- Foundation staff have access to their private health scheme, including dental cover.
- The Foundation is based in Marlborough House, Pall Mall, central London. They are currently operating a flexible working policy which requires all staff to work from the office at least five days per fortnight including every Wednesday, and applicants must be able to affirm their capacity and willingness to work within this policy.
Eligibility
- They seek an individual with strong knowledge of international development and diplomacy, extensive experience in programme leadership and event management, and a demonstrated capacity to lead a high-performing team.
- An understanding of the power of art and creative expression is essential, preferably with experience of how the arts can bring about social change.
- Excellent communication and strategic thinking skills are essential, along with a highly practical, solutions-based mindset. Appropriate tertiary qualifications or additional experience in lieu of such qualifications are required.
- The Senior Manager will possess, or be working towards, the competencies set out in the Foundation’s competency framework under the ‘Managers’ column. The Senior Manager will also demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to the Foundation’s vision, mission and values.
Application
The application requires you to provide a comprehensive CV as well as a motivation letter that clearly addresses the criteria as outlined in the person specification and the competencies framework. You must possess and declare the right to work in the UK at the time of application submission for your application to be considered.
For more information, visit Commonwealth Foundation.
