Technical Adviser, Small States Centre of Excellence (SSCOE)

Job Description

During the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), leaders welcomed Malta’s offer to establish a Small States Centre of Excellence (SSCOE) that will impart targeted capacity-building programmes and interventions in the areas of both democracy and development.

The objectives of the SSCOE are to:

• Facilitate targeted and predominantly internet-based capacity-building programmes in areas that benefit Small States;
• Serve as a focal point for sharing of best practices in areas that benefit Small States;
• Maintain links with development agencies, academia and other relevant organisations to further the interest of the Centre and the development of Small States; and
• Provide an information and referral service for academic and research work on Small States, in partnership with the University of Malta, including building and maintaining a repository of research information relevant to Small States’ development.

The SSCOE Technical Adviser will be required to:

• Within one week of appointment, submit a 6-month plan of action to undertake the Expected Activities highlighted below;
• Execute the plan of action once approved jointly by the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Malta.

In accordance with the agreement, the SSCOE will operate on the following principles:

• Employ the Value for Money (VfM) model to maximise the use of resources to achieve the objectives of the Centre, including the application of Results Based Management (RBM) tools.
• Capitalise and/or tailor information communications technology platforms for the efficient and effective operations of the Centre, including reaching target audiences in Small States.
• Engage experts who are recognised leaders in providing in situ capacity building solutions for Small States.
• Foster strategic partnerships, including but not limited to relevant United Nations organisations, multilateral organisations, regional organisations, other countries, academic organisations such as the University of Malta and Malta-based institutions, such as IMLI, IOI, DIPLO, MEDAC etc, as well as other smalls states’ networks and hubs.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s Degree, MBA or equivalent) in Management, Organisational Behaviour, Business or other relevant subject from a recognised and reputable institution.

Professional experience

• At least 10 years’ experience with organisational design and institutional development.
• Proven experience and knowledge on best practices concerning operations of Centres of Excellence, Knowledge Hubs or related institutions.
• Proven experience in capacity development/training programmes.
• Proven experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders from academia, the private sector and government.

- See more at: http://thecommonwealth.org/jobs/technical-adviser-small-states-centre-excellence-sscoe#sthash.8W8562yc.dpuf

About the Organization

The Commonwealth is an association of 53 independent states consulting and co-operating in the common interests of their peoples and in the promotion of international understanding. The Commonwealth is active in a number of areas including development, democracy, debt management and trade.

The Charter of the Commonwealth Secretariat is available at: http://thecommonwealth.org/our-charter

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