Senior Programme Officer (Advocacy and Creative)

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. The Senior Programme Officer for the Advocacy and Creative Programme will play a key role in integrating creativity into the Foundation’s advocacy work and leading the delivery of our creative programmes. This role will engage and inspire advocates and creatives globally by managing the acclaimed Commonwealth Short Story Prize and shaping the creative elements of events like the Commonwealth People’s Forum.

Applicants must have relevant 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 integrates creativity into advocacy efforts to amplify the voices of Commonwealth citizens and inspire positive change. This includes initiatives such as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, the Critical Conversations series, and the Commonwealth People’s Forum. The programme also works to support civil society in leveraging creativity for advocacy in areas such as climate justice, health justice, and freedom of expression, while ensuring cross-cutting outcomes for gender equality, young people, and small and vulnerable states. 

The role

The Senior Programme Officer (SPO) is critical to the successful delivery of the Advocacy and Creative Programme. Reporting to the Senior Manager, the SPO will oversee the integration of creativity into advocacy work and manage key creative initiatives such as the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and the creative elements of the Commonwealth People’s Forum. 

Key tasks and responsibilities

The postholder will undertake the following key tasks:

Lead the integration of creativity into our advocacy work 

• Serve as the creative lead for the Foundation’s advocacy work, including the Critical Conversations series.

• Develop materials and resources to support partners in integrating creativity into their advocacy.

• Advise colleagues on Foundation-supported initiatives that use creativity as a tool for change.

Manage the Commonwealth Short Story Prize and our online creative content and community 

With additional support from an intern, the post holder will:

• Administer all processes related to the Prize, from submission call to winner announcements.

• Nurture relationships with stakeholders, including judges and partners, to build the Prize’s profile.

• Collaborate with the communications team to develop and execute an effective communications strategy for the Prize.

• Oversee our online creative content, including the literary magazine adda and creative opportunities.

Lead the creative elements of the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF) 

• Act as the creative lead for the Commonwealth People’s Forum (CPF), ensuring creativity is integrated into events and activities.

• Cultivate and manage relationships with creative partners.

• Oversee the delivery and evaluation of creative elements within CPF.

Whole of Foundation support

• Contribute to programme planning, monitoring, and reporting. 

• Support cross-programme initiatives aligned with the Foundation’s strategic goals. 

The individual 

The ideal candidate will have extensive project management experience within relevant fields such as development, civil society, public advocacy, or creative industries, and in international non-governmental or intergovernmental environments. They should have a proven track record of working with creatives from diverse disciplines and backgrounds. They should possess strong leadership abilities to oversee and supervise the work of others. 

Strong communication skills are crucial, particularly in pitching, negotiation, persuasion, and presentation, along with excellent written communication. The candidate should demonstrate strategic thinking and planning skills, a practical, solutions-based mindset, and proficiency in IT and social media tools, including Teams, G-Suite, and ideally Google Groups.

The SPO will possess all the competencies set out in the ‘officers’ column of the Foundation’s competencies matrix.

What we offer 

The Foundation operates a salary scale for Senior Officer positions, and the appointment would be on a band between 38,784 and £43,050 p.a.

The final offer made to the preferred candidate will be based on an objective assessment of their skills and competencies against the criteria established for this grade.

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

We offer generous holidays (almost seven weeks a year excluding public holidays).

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

All Foundation staff are enrolled in our private health scheme, including dental cover.

We are based in Marlborough House, Pall Mall, central London. We currently operate a flexible working policy which requires all staff to work from the office at least five days per fortnight including every Wednesday. Applicants must be able and willing to commit to 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 accommodations in the recruitment and selection process because of a protected characteristic, please let us know. 

The process 

Interested candidates should apply online through the link below. 

The application requires you to provide a comprehensive CV as well as a motivation letter that clearly addresses the criteria as outlined in the person specification and the competencies framework. 

You must possess and declare the right to work in the UK at the time of application submission for your application to be considered. 

Closing date for applications 

Friday 14 February 2025, at 1pm

Interviews 

We are expecting to hold first-round interviews via video link on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 February 2025 

Second-round interviews may be required and held in person on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 March 2025 

Application documents

Download Job Description: Senior Programme Officer (A&C) Download Commonwealth Foundation Competency Bank