Partnerships and Advocacy Manager

Short description

The CGF is recruiting an Advocacy and Partnerships Manager to drive the organisation’s commitment to focused, high-impact strategic partnerships aligned to our vision: “Our Commonwealth, united through sport”.

Job Title

Partnerships and Advocacy Manager

Reports to

Director of Strategy, Legacy and Partnerships

Scope of Role

Business Area

Strategy

Key departments/areas of responsibility

All departments

Job Dimensions

Financial

Non-Financial

tbd

Cross department functions

Overall Job Purpose

Job Purpose

The CGF is recruiting an Advocacy and Partnerships Manager to drive the organisation’s commitment to focused, high-impact strategic partnerships aligned to our vision: “Our Commonwealth, united through sport”.

Partnerships and Advocacy are key pillars of Commonwealth United, the organisation’s Strategic Plan 2023-2034. This important management role assists the Director of Strategy, Legacy and Partnerships in developing initiatives and advocating for the values, causes and impact of Commonwealth Sport; and ensuring an ambitious and coordinated approach to the organisation’s collaboration with stakeholders.

Key outputs for the successful candidate will be

• the development and delivery of a Stakeholder Engagement Strategy;
• supporting and managing key cross-organisational stakeholders (such as wider Commonwealth institutions); and
• managing and developing important partnership-led projects and networks linked to values and causes we believe in, such as our International Working Groups on Indigenous Reconciliation and Historical Injustice, and our Commonwealth Sport Pride Network

In support of our commitment to our vision and values, we are looking for people who are committed to advancing equality and opportunity through sport; individuals who are collaborative, proactive with proven experience of developing policy and projects in sport and/or sustainable development.

You will report to the Director of Strategy, Legacy and Partnerships and will work with colleagues across Commonwealth Sport, supporting initiatives and building relationships with partners and key stakeholders. The team also consists of an Athlete Strategy and Engagement Manager.

Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Assist the Director to oversee the development and implementation of the CGF’s stakeholder engagement strategy, in line with Commonwealth United priorities; collaborating across the organisation to ensure coordination, best practice and ongoing monitoring and improvement
• Identify opportunities to prioritise and grow our stakeholder network, building positive relationships and deeper understanding of needs and mutual benefits
• Develop, maintain and improve data and relationship management systems and processes to support effective stakeholder management
• Work with Communications teams to explore and support targeted communications channels with stakeholders
• Administer and develop some of the CGF’s key organisation-wide strategic partnerships, including Commonwealth institutions, the UN system and other relevant agencies and bodies.
• Work with CGF Development colleagues to co-create a CGA/Government relationship plan, to advocate and demonstrate the case for national government partnerships and investment in sport, CGAs and Commonwealth Sport events as a tool for positive social change
• Keep abreast of the latest international trends and policy guidance relating to Commonwealth sport and sustainable development and brief colleagues as appropriate
• Use Commonwealth Sport platforms, and work with strategic partners, OCs and CGAs, to advance Commonwealth Sport’s contribution to positive social change, as identified in the Commonwealth Charter and UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Support the Commonwealth Secretariat’s international efforts to develop and produce a framework, indicators, and data to measure and evaluate the contribution of sport – and Commonwealth Sport - to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Represent the CGF in a range of international policy forums and on key advisory groups as required
• Support the direction and manage the administration and organisation-wide integration of specific programmes linked to the CGF’s values and causes – including International Working Groups on Indigenous Reconciliation and Historical Injustice, and our Commonwealth Sport Pride Network
• Assist the Director and wider organisation to develop and maintain positive relationships with various governmental and non-governmental stakeholders at both a national and international level
• Assist the Director to develop and maintain integrated, collaborative working with the Commonwealth Sport Foundation.
• Support the organisation’s continuous review, implementation and evaluation of the CGF’s Human Rights Policy Statement
• Undertake other responsibilities as agreed from time to time with the Director

Key Interfaces (please detail purpose and level of contact)

Internal

External

Director Strategy, Legacy and Partnerships

All Senior Leadership Team members

Development Team

Members, CGAs

Strategic Stakeholders

Consultants – Service providers

Commonwealth Sport Foundation

Competence/Knowledge/Skills Required

Experience/Skills/Knowledge

• At least three years of advocacy experience or in a project management, central strategy, or management consultancy role in sport and leisure, charities/not-for-profit, government or NGOs “Self-starter” and highly motivated, whilst being an excellent team player, capable of strategic thinking and operational delivery, within a small, agile workforce.
• Able to demonstrate strong relationship skills and a high level of cultural sensitivity and diplomacy when working with public, private and third sector organisations including stakeholders, partners and governments.
• Extensive experience in project / programme management gained within a comparable field (sport, development, civil society support, advocacy) and a comparable operating environment (international non-governmental or intergovernmental)
• Excellent, engaging written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to present confidently, synthesise insights and draft policy positions and speak to a wide range of audiences
• Knowledge of the CGF’s areas of strategic focus and cross-cutting priorities
• Skilled at diplomacy and collaboration and engaging, inspiring and mobilising partners and working groups
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven track record of successfully developing, delivering and monitoring small to medium projects across a variety of business areas and/or geographies.
• Proven success in analysing, packaging, and presenting business and project outcomes and propositions to key business stakeholders.
• Technically literate across Microsoft environment and working knowledge of collaborative and project management and relationship management tools

Behaviours

• Ability to set up and manage cross-departmental / multi-stakeholder projects
• Ability to successfully manoeuvre in a complex stakeholder environment and engage with senior managers.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to multi-task easily.
• Tenacious work ethic and an action-orientated approach focused on achieving successful outcomes.
• Proven ability to manage time, resources, and self under high pressure.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Positive, can-do attitude.
• Persistent and resilient yet diplomatic.
• Ability to forge strong relationships and a team player.
• Passion and interest in the sports and media industries a plus.
• An affection for the Commonwealth, its people and values.