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NAME OF THE POSITION: GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE GLOBAL CHRISTIAN FORUM

GENERAL INTRODUCTION:
The Global Christian Forum is seeking to appoint an appropriate candidate to the position of General Secretary.

The main tasks of the General Secretary of GCF are:

• to manage the various resources of the GCF;
• to facilitate the development of strategies and programmes in cooperation with the International Committee, in order to meet the objectives of the GCF;
• to facilitate, coordinate and organise all GCF events;
• to lead a team who will implement the programmes and activities of the GCF;
• to establish good relationships with donor agencies and fundraising bodies.

PROFILE OF THE POSITION:

• Male or female.
• A strong faith commitment underpinned by the values of the Christian life.
• Active participation in a Christian church.
• Able to give an authentic Christian testimony of his/her professional and personal life.
• Having a clear understanding of the GCF and its vision; together with the capacity to be a passionate promoter of this vision and an effective implementer of actions that facilitate delivery of strategic objectives.
• Having professional and technical capacity to facilitate and direct the complex multinational programmes at both strategic and administrative levels.
• Having clear potential to gain rapid and comprehensive familiarity with world-wide efforts towards ecumenism within the different expressions of Christianity.
• Prepared to work as part of a team encompassing the different expressions of Christian churches, traditions and denominations.
• Having experience in ecumenical relations within and beyond Geneva (GCF headquarters).
• Likely to be between 40 and 60 years old.
  

ACADEMIC PROFILE:

• BA Degree minimum, preferably a Masters (or higher) in Theology.
• Professional qualification or equivalent experience in social science, economics or similar field.
• Career experience in areas of business administration, economics, sociology, anthropology, political science or similar, with emphasis on matters related to development, such as local development, and the generation of political processes in local transformation.
• A good mastery of information and technology skills including specialised software and use of internet.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE AND EXPERTISE:

• Extensive experience at an international Christian level, with good knowledge of most churches, traditions and denominations.
• At least 5, preferably 10, years? experience directing similar programmes and activities.
• Experience in the management of multinational or regional programmes or projects; and familiarity with the dynamics and work of international agencies.
• Experience in obtaining resources for programme development.
• A wide knowledge of the preparation and control of budgets.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary groups.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Ability to handle complex technical and political negotiations.
• Professional and diplomatic in dealing with others, with ability to manage human relations and handle interdisciplinary task forces.
• Strategic vision for social and organisational development.
• Good, clear, oral and written communication skills.
• Readiness to travel regionally and internationally, and handle complex schedules.
• Capable of handling various administrative and technical processes simultaneously.
• Capable of supervising and monitoring plans, budgets and deadlines of the GCF strategic plans.
• Good negotiating abilities and the ability to handle conflict in negotiations.
• Personal resilience when working under pressure.
• A creative and strategically focussed mentality, capable of envisioning opportunities for future actions of the GCF.

PERSONAL SKILLS:

• Availability to travel frequently out of the country where the GCF secretariat is located.
• Bilingual in English and French. Other languages an advantage.
• Proven capacity for team leading.
• Capable of working under pressure.
• Open, flexible, diplomatic and a committed ecumenist.