Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff manages strategy, coordination, and support to promote efficient operations and strategic alignment. This role also includes serving as Secretary to the Leadership Team, enhancing executive functions and decision‑making processes. The incumbent leads strategic planning, sets priorities, and ensures their implementation within the Secretariat Office. The role is responsible for producing high-quality reports for the Secretary General, the Executive Committee, and the Council, while supporting the Secretary General’s direct management responsibilities. Additionally, the Chief of Staff provides information, analyses, and advice to the Secretary General. The incumbent also acts as a conduit for confidential information, both within and outside the Secretariat. As directed by the Secretary General, the Chief of Staff oversees initiatives, ensuring their alignment with IGU’s vision, mission, and annual business plan. The incumbent works closely with the Secretariat's functional leaders to promote a connected and inclusive workplace.

Primary Duties or Responsibilities

• Supports the Secretary General and Leadership team by ensuring efficient operations and strategic alignment within the organisation.
• Serves as a trusted and confidential advisor to the Secretary General on all matters.
• Leads strategic planning and priority setting and oversees implementation of the same for the Secretariat Office.
• Acts as the fulcrum of the Secretary General and the Secretariat Office, regularly engaging with functional leaders to track priorities and counsel on decision‑making matters.
• Works closely with the Leadership team to frame issues and corporate matters, enabling organisational decision‑making by the Secretary General and President.
• Collaborates with the Secretariat leadership team, the President, and Regional Coordinators to define the direction of strategic initiatives.
• Defines the Secretariat workplan, including oversight of the Secretary General’s schedule, priorities, and communications, ensuring delivery of high‑quality briefing materials and reports.
• Leads the Secretariat’s strategic‑positioning priorities with key stakeholders based on an understanding of the broad environment, organisational context, and political landscape.
• Leads the updating of the 5‑year strategic and annual business plan.
• Actively participates in meetings with the Secretariat, Leadership team, Executive Committee, and Council, overseeing follow‑ups from these engagements.
• Represents the President or other executives in meetings and events as needed.
• Acts as the Secretariat’s office administrator and enhances the organisation's risk‑management capabilities as required.
• Builds close relationships with internal stakeholders to integrate risk management into all business processes and foster a risk‑aware culture.

Job Knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as international affairs, international development, public policy, public administration, and business or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Experience

This position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience, which includes:

• Experience navigating complex interactions that consider the structure and culture of the organisation as well as the political, social, and economic climate in which the organisation operates.
• Collaborating with teams in multiple functional streams, providing sound guidance and direction based on knowledge of and ability to monitor relevant fields.
• Working in a fast‑paced and changing environment.
• Producing leadership materials, including drafting responses, briefing notes, presentations, and reports.
• Providing advice to management.
• Acting as a liaison between the Secretary General and staff.
• Working in the Secretariat office, including managing the incoming flow of work, prioritising requests, and managing follow‑up.

Industry knowledge

Abilities and skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, tact and discretion, and exceptional work ethic.
• Sound judgement, initiative, and ability to set priorities.
• Results‑oriented with superior planning, organisational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills under pressure.
• Flexible, adaptable to respond quickly to unanticipated demands.
• Strong leadership and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to think in a strategic, innovative, and creative manner.
• Ability to perform research‑related tasks.
• Must be able to travel internationally.

Must be available to be at the IGU Headquarters (London) a minimum of three days per week.