Job and Person Description

JOB AND PERSON DESCRIPTION

General Information

The Economic Policy Division is responsible for the Secretariat’s programmes on national and international economic issues and, with other divisions, for assisting member countries to pursue more inclusive economic growth and sustainable development; and to strengthen the resilience of small states and other vulnerable states. It plays a key role in helping to identify solutions to the economic and resilience problems affecting Commonwealth countries; in achieving an international consensus on these solutions; and in providing advice to governments on policy development in these areas.

The Climate Finance and Small States Section focuses on strengthening the resilience of small states and vulnerable states. It also works to ensure that international policies, mechanisms and rules are more responsive to small states’ development strategies and resilience needs. It deepens understanding, and develops effective frameworks and policy tools for building the resilience of countries. It works to improve access by small states and vulnerable states to adequate climate financing and technical resources to enable them to put priority resilience-building actions in place. The Section advocates for policies which address the needs and vulnerabilities of small and vulnerable members of the Commonwealth. In doing so, emphasis is placed on research and analysis, policy development, facilitation of discussion and debate, consensus building and advocacy to focus international attention on issues and solutions.

Job Summary

Job roles in the Secretariat evolve with both the changing mandates received from member countries and the skills of the team. This post will be responsible for taking forward the Section’s work on resilience building in small states in collaboration with the Head of Section.

Working with other Economic Advisers, the post holder develops, takes forward and manages the Section’s work programme towards more responsive international policies, mechanisms and rules to small states’ development strategies and resilience needs. S/he will provide policy, technical and institutional support, informed by an understanding of the challenges and priorities in the development of small states, and the political and technical context of international support to small states. Areas include but are not limited to:economic vulnerability and building the economic resilience of small states; further elaboration of a resilience framework for small states; efforts towards deepening of international understanding and use of vulnerability and resilience approaches in the support of small states’ development; implementation of work under the Commonwealth/World Bank Joint Task Force on Small States; analysis on small states’ concerns in the post 2015 development agenda and under the Barbados Programme of Action on the Sustainable Development of SIDS; conceptualisation and implementation of a policy research on small states, including statistical material to support analysis of small states’ challenges and concerns. S/he will develop and implement programmes and projects, leading to relevant publications, briefings and outreach.

Working with a range of government ministries, departments and agencies within small states and engaging with other Commonwealth Secretariat Divisions, other member countries as well as Commonwealth Organisations to deliver on the programme objectives. The Economic Adviserwill also collaborate with professional bodies, regional and international development partners and organisations.

TaskDescription

The post holder will carry out the following:

• Provide specialist professional inputs and advice on resilience building in small states, based on an understanding of the political economy of small states’ development challenges and international support to these countries. Uses research and networking skills to develop an understanding of, formulate advice on, and offer practical proposals towards improving the responsiveness of international policies, mechanisms and rules to small states’ development strategies and resilience needs.

• Undertake and / or manage policy research and evidence-based analysis; and needs assessments;to inform divisional programming that delivers benefits to member states.

• Develop and take forward the organisation of expert meetings; sharing of knowledge and experience; and policy dialogues to inform member governments and target institutions. Supports high-level Commonwealth dialogues on issues related to development priorities of small states and improved international support to their efforts. This will require the post holder to engage with all Commonwealth countries and the wider international community to deliver high level advocacy and support for small states.

• Develop, implement and evaluate high-quality results-focused institution- and capacity-building efforts on resilience profiling and policy frameworks for resilience building.

• Support technical assistance programmes by providing strategic advice, and critically assessing requests in areas articulated in the Commonwealth Secretariat Strategic Plan related to strengthening the resilience of small states and vulnerable states working across the Commonwealth.

• Together with other Advisers, take responsibility for the preparation and maintenance of Project Design Documents using inputs from all relevant actors and ensuring high quality and consistency in technical, administrative and financial aspects, including complying with Commonwealth Secretariat policies.

• Line manage the provision of research and programme support.

• Ensure appropriate reporting, monitoring and evaluation is carried out in line with the principles of Results Based Management.

• Provide strategic professional advice to the Head of Section, for the development of divisional policies and strategies; and in support of global advocacy on issues related to small states’ development.

• Advise and collaborate with Economic Advisers across the Secretariat on priorities and strategies for executing work on small states (in the region as assigned and as appropriate).

• Actively contribute to the global goals of the Commonwealth, including planning and reporting and contributing to the preparation of briefings for high-level visits.

• Broker an exchange of ideas and practice between member countries, in particular through South-South learning and exchange of experience.

• Foster communities of practice, making the most effective use of Commonwealth online tools.

• Carry out the development and publication of case studies on good practice.

• Network with and establish strategic partnerships with relevant professional bodies, national and regional organisations as well as other donor agencies in support of the work of the division.

• Adhere to the Gender Equality values of the Commonwealth as enshrined in the Charter and Secretariat’s Gender Equality Policy.

• Perform any other duties that may be required from time to time.

Person Specification

Education:

• A Post-Graduate degree in Economics, or closely related field.

Desirable:

• A specialisation in the development of small and vulnerable states.

Experience:

• 10 years’ relevant experience in analysis and policy formulation on development concerns of small states, including in areas such as resilience building, sustainable development, trade and development financing, within the context of a government or international institution, research organisation, or consultancy company.
• Particular expertise on, and strong networks within small states,the wider Commonwealth and the international development community.
• Expertise on the governance agenda in international development thinking and practice in the area of small states’ development.
• Expertise in the alignment of national planning, resilience building and sustainable development.
• Strong writing skills including development of documentation on relevant case studies.
• Good knowledge of contemporary development and public administration, and institutional framework issues as they affect small Commonwealth countries.
• Team player, backed by effective time management, professionalism, managing others and partners, creativity and vision; and strong communication skills;
• Track record of developing thematic modules in a relevant area;
• Track record of building partnerships or networks with international organisations;
• Ability to work independently, under pressure and under time constraints.

In addition, all appointments to the Secretariat are expected to meet the core Secretariat requirement of working effectively and sensitively in a multicultural environment.

Competencies:

Human Resources Section

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