JOB DESCRIPTION AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT JOB TITLE Director of Governance PROGRAMME Governance; Office of the Secretary General LOCATION London JOB PURPOSE Ensures that the Governance Programme delivers on its purpose to a high standard through leading and managing the Programme to develop, coordinate and implement processes and systems to enhance the effectiveness of Amnesty International s (AI s) global and country-level governance. Contributes to the corporate management of the International Secretariat (IS) and deputises for the Senior Director. DEPARTMENT PURPOSE From the management side, the Governance Programme leads and strengthens AI s governance processes at international and national levels by providing advice to the Secretary General in relation to the workings of the International Board, its committees, other international governance systems, and national level governance boards, thereby enhancing AI s transparency, accountability and participation in its decision making processes. The Programme facilitates the creation and institutionalisation of governance standards and processes. It supports the workings of the International Board, its committees, other international governance system and national governance boards. It strengthens the global and national governance systems, enhances the capacity of local and international governance bodies and promotes and enables principled and value-driven leadership. AIIS PURPOSE The IS, which operates from a number of sites around the world, gathers and communicates accurate and action-oriented human rights information globally. We campaign for meaningful human rights change; enable effective human rights activism and work to persuade governments and other actors to uphold universal human rights standards. We provide strategic leadership, support and advice to the Amnesty International movement globally, fostering AI s contribution, presence and public accountability throughout the world.

2 WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Reporting to: Senior Director, Office of the Secretary General Posts that this job manages: Governance Programme staff Other key relationships: The Secretary General (SG) and the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) directorate management team; Legal Counsel; the International Board members; the other committees, national level boards; regional directors and Capacity-Building Coordinators (CBCs); and external governance experts, other NGOs and academia. USEFUL INFORMATION The post is a full-time permanent position. LOCATION: London MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES Working with the SG and the International Board to deliver a continuing programme of governance improvements. Standards: Advise and support the SG and the International Board (and its committees) on governance standards and policies, and in relation to specific issues as they arise for both national boards and the global movement. With the International Board and the SG, oversee the finalisation and implementation of policies and systems that will enhance the effectiveness of the organisation s governance. Regularly review and refine the governance standards and policies in place, for both AI s national boards and the global movement, including on board-director relationships. Develop and implement change management approaches as needed to strengthen the governance and accountability culture in the organisation. Promote and enable principled and value driven leadership, that operates with integrity, openness, and transparency. Advise and support the International Board in its day to day activities, and in relations to communications with the movement. Compliance: Ensure monitoring of and compliance with the governance and accountability related policies. Develop tools to monitor and assess compliance with policy and adherence to standards.

3 Work closely with the International Board, and with the legal, finance, human resources and national support functions at the IS to ensure adherence to internal policies and best practice. Design and implement an induction process for International Board members and address ongoing training needs working in particular with the International Board Development Committee. Compile and maintain copies of governance policies and documentation (e.g. section statutes) from across the movement, checking that new policies are in line with core standards and best practice. Develop and maintain connections with external governance professionals, ensuring AI can learn from good practice examples from outside of the movement. Enhance the capacity and performance of governance bodies in AI through referencing cutting edge thinking and innovations in the sector, referencing and benchmarking good practice in the sector, and capacity building initiatives. Accountability: Devise and deliver guidance and models for best practice on due diligence, openness, and accountability for use by boards. Develop and implement a continuous capacity building and promotional programme to strengthen the understanding and adherence to policies and best practice in areas such as accountability, transparency, and decision making, working closely with other relevant teams. Programme and Corporate management: Understanding of governance dynamics of a volunteer board in an organisational setting. Recruit and line-manage staff in line with IS policy, including performance management and staff development. Participate in the corporate management of the IS by contributing to the development of strategic and operational plans, resolving corporate management issues, ensuring effective communication across departments and deputising for the Programme Director. As a member of the OSG management team, contribute to the effective management of the Directorate. Reporting: Provide advice and guidance on reporting and management information systems and processes in place between the SG and the International Board, constantly seeking to enhance the effectiveness of governance through innovative, appropriate, streamlined and coherent reporting. Maintain and advise on how to improve the International Board reporting and management information systems, and ensure it enhances quality of Board engagement. Ensure regular reviews of the quality and efficacy of reporting systems that are in place.

4 Other: Other responsibilities as assigned according to the grade and nature of this post. WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE IN THIS JOB? Programme delivers on its purpose and terms of reference. Governance initiatives are contributing to more effective leadership globally and locally. Governance standards and policies are developed, rolled out and implemented across the movement. Institutional systems and processes to support AI s governance functions are in place. Increased coherence of international governance including greater clarity of roles and their delivery in practice. Monitoring and ongoing review of governance is systematised. Programme staff members are effective in their roles. Quality support provided to the SG, the International Board and committees. Post holder makes valuable contributions to corporate and programme management. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Knowledge: State of the art expertise and knowledge of governance and best practice in organizational leadership. Knowledge on governance and stewardship of membership-based organizations, particularly not-for-profit and charity governance. Understanding of governance dynamics of a volunteer board in an NGO setting. Change management and organization building. Skills: Political judgment and astute people skills. Ability to work with volunteer leadership. Strategic thinking. Excellent communication skills. Ability to analyse, work within and reform complex organisational systems. Fluency in English and ideally in other languages. Experience: Experience of governance, board development, including leadership development, standards setting and their implementation. Experience of working with volunteer leadership. Project oversight and monitoring.

5 Management of people including cross-cultural teams and distance management. Managing conflict. Qualities: Flexible. Principled. Committed to making equal opportunities and diversity a reality. Committed and able to motivate others. Good political and cultural sensitivity and judgment. EQUALITY STATEMENT Equality and diversity is at the core of our values and staff are expected to work collectively and individually to promote a constructive and sensitive approach to others from a variety of backgrounds, where the work of others is valued and respected. CONFLICT OF INTEREST Public or other activity, affiliation to or support for any group or organization, personal association or other factor which may generate a real or perceived conflict of interest with Amnesty International s principles (specifically independence and impartiality), or raise a security concern, or otherwise prevent the candidate from carrying out key functions of the specific post and would therefore disqualify the candidate from being appointed.