Communications Officer - Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF)

Reference: CLGF/Comm-2012
Location: London, UK
Duration: 2 years part-time - 28 hours per week
Closing Date: 9 Feb 2012

General information

The Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF) was established in 1995 in response to the moves around the Commonwealth towards greater decentralisation and local democracy. CLGF is recognized by Commonwealth Heads of Government as an associated Commonwealth organisation representing elected local government.

CLGF is a membership organisation, bringing together local government stakeholders - local government associations, individual councils and ministries of local government; academic, professional and research organisations can become non-voting associate members. CLGF has about 200 member organisations in the 54 Commonwealth countries.

The CLGF works closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other Commonwealth bodies, as well as with a range of agencies and organisations including the United Nations, the European Union and the Department for International Development (DFID) which provide support for its activities.

The organisation focuses on three key areas of work:

Promotion and advocacy of local democracy and decentralisation in the Commonwealth

International Knowledge, sharing of local government good practice

Practical capacity building for local Government

Purpose of job

The Communications Officer will have a pivotal role in:

• ensuring the successful organisation of the Commonwealth Local Government conferences and other events, and
• helping CLGF to develop and improve its communications with members by providing an information base for members through further development of its website, e-communications and other publications and information

Duties

The Communications Officer will report to the CLGF Director of Communications (DC). She/he will assist the communications consultant in the following areas:

Events organisation

• assisting the DC with all aspects of the coordination, preparation, logistics and smooth running of the Commonwealth Local Government Conferences, held every two years.
• coordinating delegate liaison for the CLGC
• assistance with the marketing of the CLGC including developing the conference website
• assistance with the organisation of other main CLGF events.

Information gathering and website

• Website - contribution to the development of the CLGF website as an information bank and tool for CLGF members, in particular:
  • regular updating of CLGF website with information about projects, activities and events
  • gathering information from members on local government developments in the Commonwealth for a regular e-newsletter and other publications.
  • helping with the preparation of case studies for the web
  • editing and formatting of documents to ensure that CLGF's corporate identity is reflected
  • working with the DC to implement member-only access part of site and develop and actively manager special interest members groups
  • updating subsidiary websites (eg Pacific and other regions) and providing support to CLGF staff involved in the sites in these regions
  • development and management of websites for Commonwealth Local Government Conferences
  • Enews: compilation and distribution of monthly enews - researching information, writing and editing articles, picture research, and liaison with web designers
  • Social media: maintaining twitter feeds and developing other social media as appropriate
  • assistance with member communications

Publications and other general communications

• Support for DC in production of CLGF Bulletin and other publications, including picture research
• Assistance with information for Handbook, including maintaining the information for the website
• Support for DC in liaison with designers and other contractors
• Support for DC for media briefings, articles for media, arranging interviews etc
• Support for DC in production of videos
• Setting up and maintaining a picture library

Person specification

Education/experience

• Educated to degree standard
• Relevant qualifications or experience in event management and communications/information management/web development.
• At least two years experience of event organisation and information management
• Previous experience of organising international events is desirable
• Experience of using a content-managed website
• Experience of using Raiser's Edge or other database system.

Knowledge and understanding

• Understanding of and commitment to customer care.
• Understanding of diplomacy and other issues in dealing with international delegates and high-level politicians.
• Understanding of use of IT in event management.
• Understanding of use of web and ITC for communications with members, information sharing, marketing. and general PR; some knowledge of 'back-end' of content managed websites
• A flexible approach to work and managing priorities
• Some knowledge of local government and/or international development is desirable

Skills required

• Excellent event organisation skills, including planning, logistics, marketing, delegate liaison and data handling
• A self-starter, able to work to tight deadlines, and able to work under pressure.
• Good information management skills, and ability to present complex information in a straightforward way for the web and other publications
• Ability to work sensitively in partnership, including with organisations in the countries of the Commonwealth.
• Ability to use general office systems and software such as Microsoft Office.
• Proven ability of using event management IT systems for managing delegate and other information and developing appropriate databases and contact management information..
• Good writing skills for marketing and information documents and websites.
• Sensitivity and cultural awareness in dealing with delegates from the 54 countries of the Commonwealth and elsewhere including high-ranking politicians and officials.
• Ability to respect confidentiality and to work in a professional manner.

Application process

Interview Date: 21 February 2012.

Applicant should preferably be a national of a Commonwealth country and have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom. Evidence will be required when you are offered the job.

Contract Term: 2 Years – Part-time (28 hours). This may be renewed by mutual agreement subject to fully satisfactory performance.

Salary and Conditions of Service

The salary for the post is £27,000 -30,350 (pro rata) inclusive of London Weighting. In addition there is an employer pension contribution of 15%.

The appointment is subject to a probationary period of six months and may be terminated by giving four weeks notice by the employee or employer

The hours of work is 28 hours excluding 1 hour lunch break. Annual Leave entitlement is 28 work days (pro rata)

Application pack

• Job description (pdf)
• Information for applicants (pdf)
• Application form (Word doc)
• Equal opportunities monitoring form (Word doc)