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Main role :
As
the most senior officer of International IDEA, the Secretary-General is
ultimately responsible for the overall management of the Institute with
the following key responsibilities as stipulated by International
IDEA’s Statutes
- To head the Secretariat of International IDEA
and provide strategic leadership to the Institute under the direction
of the Council.
- To provide leadership for the development of International IDEA’s activities so as to expand its impact through:
- Development
of its mission to support sustainable democratic change through
providing knowledge, assisting in reform, and influencing policy and
politics;
- Building on its intergovernmental status and working
with its Member States, representing the organization and seeking to
leverage the organization’s potential in support of democracy worldwide;
- Continuing the ongoing reform process of the Institute and the implementation of results-based management;
- Developing internal competencies of International IDEA and its staff members.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead
and represent International IDEA in accordance with the directives from
the Council. The position will report to the Council, and upon
delegation by the Council, to the Chair of the Council and/or the
Steering Committee;
- Provide strategic inputs and consults with
the Council on strategic issues, in particular, on matters that might
alter the thematic focus of the Institute’s activities;
- Develop a vision and strategy for International IDEA;
- Provide
overall guidance and support to ensure that operational plans fit with
the strategic vision and with the resources available;
- Build on
International IDEA’s intergovernmental status and work with its member
states, representing the organization and seeking to leverage the
organization’s potential in support of democracy worldwide;
- Oversee
Global Programmes as well as Regional Programmes management and ensure
the development of annual institutional programme planning and
monitoring;
- Oversee External Relations planning, strategy and
implementation with particular focus on member state and strategic
partner relations and funding issues, and support the external relations
strategy through regular visits to strategic contributors or potential
contributors;
- Oversee Corporate Services management including Financial, Human Resources, Office Administration and procurement;
- Oversee the activities of the Strategic Planning and RBM System Administration Processes;
- Leads
the Management Review Committee as a mechanism for accountability,
Results-Based Management system analysis and effective decision-making;
- Ensure the enhancement of the Institute’s profile in knowledge management and the provision of up-to-date communication streams;
- Ensure
that the Institute provides high level support and information required
by the Council to carry out its functions as outlined in the Statutes;
- Chair meetings of the Management Committee and ensure co-ordination of activities and strategy;
- Ensure
the dissemination of information to staff through the Management
Committee and provide regular and timely operational guidance throughout
the organization;
- Develop advocacy and representation
activities in coordination with the Director of External Relations and
Governance Support in order to:
- Strategically promote, develop and manage International IDEA’s activities worldwide;
- Strengthen International IDEA’s visibility and impact;
- Develop
partnerships with (Inter)national organizations to obtain cooperation
and complementary funds, as required, to achieve realization of the
Organization’s objectives;
- Approach governments of potential new Member States;
- Maintain
and develop professional contacts and networks of cooperation on issues
and activities pertaining to political reform and democracy assistance
worldwide;
- Represent IDEA with Member States and externally in
the region, within the framework established by International IDEA’s
Statutes, and policies;
- Act as a competent and persuasive voice for International IDEA’s public profile worldwide.
- Oversee the functions of the Secretary-General´s Office under the administration of the Head of Strategic Planning and RBM;
- Actively integrate the inclusion of a gender and diversity perspective in all activities;
- Supervise the following positions directly under his/her responsibility:
- Director, Global Programmes;
- Director, External Relations and Governance Support;
- Director, Corporate Services;
- Director, Asia and the Pacific Region;
- Director, Latin America and the Caribbean Region;
- Director, Africa Region;
- Director, West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Region;
- Head, Strategic Planning and RBM;
- Head, Communications and Knowledge Management;
- Special Advisor;
- Executive Assistant.
Main clients/stakeholders
- Heads of States
- Ministers
- Senior international and national civil servants
- Ambassadors
- Chief Executives
- Council representatives
- Members of the Board of Advisers
- High representatives of the Swedish Government and civil service
Decision Making
The
incumbents’ decisions relate to the financial and programme commitments
of the Organization as approved by the Council, including staffing,
work programmes and directions, staff rules and procedures, as well as
other decisions as delegated by the Council. The incumbent further
consults with the Board on, and recommends to the Council, strategies,
budgets, work programmes and priorities, statutory amendments, etc.
Qualifications and skills
Basic qualification requirements:
- A proven record of excellent leadership and management skills in a demanding, complex and culturally diversified environment;
- Extensive
experience in managerial positions in an international or
intergovernmental organization or a governmental organization that deals
with international affairs or equivalent;
- Experience and
understanding of the specific challenges of democratisation as a
dimension of international development and cooperation;
- Practical
and theoretical knowledge of issues related to the unique mandate of
International IDEA as an intergovernmental body. A command and
understanding of the different themes which come together in
International IDEA’s mandate and its work programme are essential;
- Fluency in English (knowledge of any other languages is an advantage).
Level and type of formal education (minimum academic requirements required):
- Masters
Degree or equivalent postgraduate qualification in social science,
political science, international law, international relations,
international development, peace and development studies or a related
subject.
Professional experience :
- Proven
record of extensive leadership experience within international affairs
from intergovernmental, governmental or other
international/multicultural organisations;
- Considerable
experience in the field of democracy, broadly covering the four
thematic components of International IDEA’s programme – i.e. (1)
Electoral Processes, (2) Political Parties, Participation and
Representation, (3) Democracy and Development, and (4) Constitution
Building Processes;
- Knowledge of development co-operation. Solid understanding of donor policies, programming procedures and policy formulation;
- Extensive
exposure to working with political leaders and senior civil servants,
and an extensive network of contacts both from International IDEA’s
member states and elsewhere.
Specific Technical Skills:
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, written and spoken, including public speaking;
- Ability to operate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and be gender-sensitive;
- Excellent advocacy and negotiation skills; highly persuasive;
- Ability
to maintain an extensive network of contacts at the level of
international, regional, and national institutions including heads of
state, high level officials and senior policy makers;
- Creativity and capacity to develop innovative analytical perspectives and approaches;
- Ability to build and motivate partnerships and networks towards the effective agreement and achievement of objectives;
- Knowledge of Results-Based Management as well as monitoring and evaluation;
- Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, diplomacy and leadership skills;
- Excellent analytical, drafting, editing and problem solving skills;
- Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas and to transfer knowledge and skills;
- Good sense of initiative, ability to set priorities and work under pressure with accuracy and dedication;
- Familiarity
with general theories and practice of democracy and strong analytical
knowledge of dynamics. Specialized knowledge very desirable in at least
one of the following: political institutions, electoral processes,
conflict management, political participation and gender issues.
Language Skills:
- English: Fluency in oral and written English, as well as public speech-making.
- Other: Any other widely spoken language in an International IDEA priority region would also be an asset.
Computer skills:
- Good computer skills and knowledge of relevant computer software packages including internet use.
Terms of Contract:
Five (5) Year Fixed Term Appointment. Competitive salary plus benefits.
How to Apply:
Please email your CV and Cover Letter to IDEA@kornferry.com
Deadline for Applications:
Applications should be submitted no later than 20 December 2013.
International
IDEA is an equal opportunity employer which seeks to further diversify
its staff in terms of gender, culture and nationality. |
