Programmes Manager (CPA Small Branches) in London

The CPA is a membership-based organisation that connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The Association is made up of almost 180 Legislatures (CPA Branches) divided between nine geographic regions of the Commonwealth. It offers a vast opportunity for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff to collaborate on issues of mutual interest and to share good practice through CPA programmes and activities.

CPA activities focus on the Commonwealth’s commitment to its fundamental political values, including: just and honest government, fundamental human rights, international peace and order, the rule of law, equal rights and representation for all citizens, the separation of powers among the three branches of government and the right to participate in free and democratic political processes.

About the CPA Small Branches network: The CPA Small Branches network represents small jurisdictions of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) to identify their particular needs and requirements in parliamentary strengthening, development and cooperation. CPA Small Branches are classified as those jurisdictions (national and sub-national) with populations of up to one million inhabitants. The CPA has a long history of working with its CPA Small Branches and since 1981, has held an annual CPA Small Branches Conference for Parliamentarians to promote cooperation and share best practice.

Role Description: Reporting to the Deputy Head of Programmes (Multilateral Engagement), the role holder will have responsibility for developing, planning, implementing and reporting on the CPA Small Branches network’s work with respect to strengthening the institutional capacity of smaller Legislatures and supporting capacity building for the Parliamentarians and parliamentary officials that work within those Legislatures. This includes drafting the CPA Small Branches network’s strategic objectives and priorities of the CPA Small Branches Work Plan, managing activities undertaken within the Work Plan, leading on the governance and coordination of the CPA Small Branches Steering Committee, delivering the annual CPA Small Branches Conference and the annual CPA Small Branches Workshop, alongside other relevant projects with CPA member Parliaments.

Main Activities:

• Leading in the delivery of a portfolio of work related to the mission of the CPA Small Branches network, and in contribution to the CPA’s strategic commitment to empowering small jurisdictions.
• Leading and coordinating the planning, drafting and delivery of the annual CPA Small Branches Work Plan.
• Delivering in-person and virtual events and activities such as the annual CPA Small Branches Workshop and Conference, as well as webinars and other relevant events.
• Delivering other CPA Small Branches outputs such as handbooks and toolkits on areas of particular importance and relevance to the CPA Small Branches member Parliaments.
• Acting as the primary point of contact for the CPA Small Branches Chairperson and coordinating and supporting their leadership role within the network, managing their travel budget and supporting their attendance at key events.
• Maintaining and supporting CPA Small Branches International Steering Committee governance structures and matters as they relate to the CPA Small Branches Steering Committee, specifically through the coordination of Chairperson elections, Steering Committee meetings and the CPA Small Branches Conference in the margins of the CPA’s annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference.
• In coordination with the Communications Team, delivering CPA Small Branches communications outputs including updates and information through relevant sections of the CPA website, social media platforms and network e-newsletters and updates.
• Contributing to and conducting monitoring and evaluation across all assigned bodies of work, including theories of change, log frames and preparing reports.
• Commissioning consultants and resource people to deliver programmes outputs and acting as the primary liaison for those individuals.
• Delivering and/or contributing to elements of wider programme delivery, including supporting the CPA Parliamentary Academy, post-election support and technical assistance programmes as agreed by the Deputy Head of Programmes (Multilateral Engagement) and/or Head of Programmes.
• Line managing team members as and when required.

Person Specification: A proven track record in programme design and delivery in an international context. Excellent event design and management skills. A sound understanding of parliamentary democracy, parliamentary practice and procedure, the core functions of Parliament, the role of Parliamentarians and parliamentary administration. Confident working with senior internal and external stakeholders from a variety of contexts and backgrounds, and with the ability to establish positive and productive working relationships and professional credibility. Experience as a budget holder managing finances across a portfolio of work.