Senior Programme Officer

The Commonwealth Foundation is committed to bringing Commonwealth civil society and its citizens into the centre of discussion and decision-making around critical issues that affect their lives. As Advocacy Senior Programme Officer in the Advocacy and Creative Team, you will be a key interlocutor between civil society and governments. You will create opportunities, coordinate events and convene meetings that seek to influence Commonwealth Member States and amplify the voices of Commonwealth citizens to push for change.

Applicants must have relevant advocacy experience. This position is only open to applicants with an existing right to work in the United Kingdom.

The organisation

The Commonwealth Foundation is mandated by its Member States to advance the interests of Commonwealth civil society. The Foundation seeks to nurture the growth of vibrant and free societies: championing the active and constructive participation of people in all aspects of governance. Our key focus areas are climate justice, health justice and freedom of expression. Our cross-cutting themes are gender equality, small and vulnerable states and young people.

The Foundation’s current Strategic Plan, which details what we are doing, how and why, can be accessed here. You can get a good idea of how we are currently working through our latest Annual Report.

The programme

The Advocacy and Creative Programme is central to our mission. While advocacy and creativity are two distinct strands of our work, this new programme signifies our commitment to integrating the arts into our advocacy and vice versa. Our advocacy work spans platforms such as the Critical Conversation series, the Commonwealth People’s Forum, the Climate Conference process and Commonwealth Ministerial meetings. Our creative programming includes the globally-recognised Commonwealth Short Story Prize and focuses on inspiring and connecting storytellers and artist-activists across the Commonwealth in pursuit of our principles and values.

The role

The Advocacy Senior Programme Officer is an exciting and critical role within the Advocacy and Creative programme. You will bring energy, creativity and coordination skills to design and lead a variety of advocacy projects that help create change and build knowledge and partnerships around our three key thematic areas of focus climate justice, health justice and freedom of expression – working as part of a six-person team under the direction of the Advocacy and Creative Senior Programme Manager (SPM).

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Design, lead and deliver events and meetings that provide a platform for civil society to engage and influence the Commonwealth, including the Commonwealth People’s Forum
• Identify influencing opportunities, develop policies and advocacy strategies around the Foundation’s thematic focus areas and cross-cutting priorities
• Develop and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders and build strong working relationships with partners and other Commonwealth organisations
• Lead on our intergovernmental liaison and external outreach, establishing and maintaining productive working relations with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other external partners and stakeholders to advance the objectives of the programme
• Work collaboratively with other Foundation teams and colleagues to develop cross-programme advocacy strategies around the Foundation’s thematic focus areas and cross-cutting priorities, in support of our vision and mission
• Contribute to the Foundation’s monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) in compliance with our overall approach and in coordination with the MEL Focal Point.

The individual

We seek an individual with strong international advocacy experience, preferably in one or more of our three areas of focus (climate justice, health justice, freedom of expression), the ability to plan and deliver online and in person events and extensive project management experience in a comparable field. Excellent communication and the ability to draft policy positions and speak to a wide range of audiences 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 Programme Officer will possess, or be working towards, the competencies set out in the Foundation’s competency framework under the ‘Officers’ column. The Senior Programme Officer will also demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to the Foundation’s vision, mission and values.

What we offer

Salary expectation: £36,000 – £39,000

The Foundation is proud of our welcoming and accommodating working environment. We strive to be a great place to work.

We offer generous holidays 30 days (plus 8 bank holidays and 4 privilege days).

Fifteen percent of your salary is payable tax-free at stipulated periods in lieu of a formal superannuation scheme.

Foundation staff have access to our private health scheme, including dental cover.

We are based in Marlborough House, Pall Mall, central London. We 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.

Our commitment

The Foundation celebrates diversity, and we are proud of our diverse and welcoming team. All qualified applicants already eligible to work in the UK will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital status or pregnancy.

If you need us to make any special accommodation in the recruitment and selection process because of a protected characteristic, please let us know.