Programme Assistant - Climate Change

Commonwealth Secretariat; London; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth Secretariat is seeking a Programme Assistant for its Climate Change section. This role involves providing administrative support, managing budgets, and coordinating projects. Candidates should have at least three years of administrative experience and a relevant qualification. This position may require occasional overseas travel.

Qualifications

• At least three years of experience in administrative duties.
• Familiarity with financial procedures.
• Experience working with governments or international organizations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Processing invoices and payments, following up on transactions.
• Assisting with recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Preparing and dispatching documents for major meetings.

Skills

Administrative duties

Budget management

Coordination

Education

Relevant qualification in administration or event management

Job description

The vacancy

We have an excellent opportunity for a Programme Assistant to join the Climate Change section within our Climate Change and Ocean Directorate supporting the operations.

The Climate Change Section focuses on strengthening the resilience of Commonwealth countries to the negative impacts of climate change as well as maximizing opportunities presented by a changing climate. The Section facilitates human and institutional capacity development of member countries to access public and private climate funding, supporting adaptation to climate impacts and contributing to global climate mitigation efforts. It also involves influencing international policies to be more responsive to the development needs of vulnerable countries.

The post holder will be responsible for providing administrative and operational assistance to ensure the smooth running of the Climate Change Section and programmes. The role may require occasional overseas travel, and the post holder must be prepared for this.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

1. Budget management: Processing invoices and payments, and following up on transactions as necessary.
2. Support with recruitment and onboarding: Assisting with processes for Commonwealth National and Regional Climate Finance Advisers as per the Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub (CCFAH) Operational Manual.
3. Coordination: Assisting with divisional projects, including meetings and events.
4. Documents management: Acting as the Documents Officer for major meetings, preparing and dispatching documents for programmes in London and overseas.

To be considered, candidates should have at least three years of experience in administrative duties, familiarity with financial procedures, and preferably experience working with governments or international organizations. A relevant qualification in administration, event management, or similar is also required. Please refer to the full job description for more details.

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 member governments, supporting sustainable, inclusive, and equitable development through guidance, technical assistance, and advisory services.

Applicants must be citizens of a Commonwealth country with the right to work and reside in the UK.

Please submit a CV and cover letter, with the cover letter addressing key criteria and providing clear examples.

About us

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries, home to 2.5 billion people, including both advanced and developing nations. Many members are small states and island nations.

Our shared goals include development, democracy, and peace, as outlined in the Commonwealth Charter.

Any country can join the modern Commonwealth; the latest additions are Gabon and Togo in 2022.

Vision & Mission

What we do

The Commonwealth Secretariat supports member countries in achieving development, democracy, and peace through various initiatives, including advocating for small and vulnerable states, championing youth, promoting justice and human rights, addressing climate change, supporting economic growth, and strengthening governance.

Our vision

To create a resilient, peaceful, and prosperous Commonwealth that values equality, diversity, and shared principles.

Our mission

To support member governments and partners in improving the well-being of all citizens and advancing shared interests globally.