ARA Vacancy: Head of Secretariat (Secondment)

The ARA seeks a Head of Secretariat of the ARA, supporting the ARA governance structure – the Steering Board, Co-Chairs and Plenary – and leading the ARA Secretariat to deliver on the ARA’s mission.

The ARA is open to filling this position as a regular recruitment or on a secondment basis. In the case of secondment, the ARA is seeking expressions of interest from potential secondees and seconding organisations. The secondee can be hosted at the seconding organisation (if based in the Global South) or another ARA member organisation from the Global South, including SouthSouthNorth, a leading NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa.

Role summary

Reporting to the Director of SSN (as head of the hosting organisation) and the ARA Steering Board Co-Chairs, the Head of Secretariat will play the lead role in supporting the ARA Steering Board and the Plenary, by providing leadership and managerial expertise to produce evidence-based, timely and strategic advice to the Steering Board to ensure that decisions are timely and well informed. The Head of Secretariat will also provide strategic leadership and management of the Secretariat team and oversight of its activities to enable it to deliver on the ARA’s Mission and Theory of Change.

This position requires a dynamic and experienced professional with a strong experience in driving similar organisations, able to see the big picture to be able to provide sound, strategic advice; strong leadership skills to successfully manage a team and upward-manage senior stakeholders; a track record of timely implementation and/or delivery; and strong networking and communication skills to be able to champion the ARA's mission and goals.

Key responsabilities

• Strategic Management of the Secretariat

• Strategic planning and supporting the Steering Board

• Operational Model Transition

Application process

To apply, please complete the following application form including at least two of the following:

• Example of working in dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• One example of previous experience in managing a Committee, a Steering Board, a Membership organisation/network or a group of very senior stakeholders.
• One example of previous experience in using communication skills to influence key senior stakeholders with a non-technical background.
• One example of managing organisational change/transition, or of establishing a new organisation.

Recruitment will remain open until the role if filled. 

Read full details of the role and application process in this Terms of Reference (ToR).