Duration of employment: 2 years, renewable, subject to 3 months’ notice by both parties
The Executive Director plays a vital role in helping to support the aims of the Association, for ‘…the advancement of architecture in the Commonwealth…’ together with the promotion of ‘…co-operation between associations of architects with the object of ensuring the maximum contribution by architects to the well-being of society’.
The CAA is one of over 80 accredited Commonwealth organisations. It is also in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and enjoys a close working relationship with UN Habitat and a range other partners.
The role of the CAA Executive Director is to support the President, Council Members and Committee Chairs and administer the affairs of the Association in accordance with its Constitution, the general policies of the Association together with the directives of the General Assembly and the Council. For further information about the CAA, visit www.commonwealtharchitects.org.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- General Correspondence: Manage and maintain routine correspondence. Issue and receive formal notices on behalf of the Association as directed by the President and the Honorary Secretary/Treasurer.
- Management of Meetings: Liaise with meeting chairs to prepare meeting timetable, agenda’s, assemble papers and circulate, convene, and host meetings, prepare meeting minutes and monitor follow-up actions.
- CAA Online Events: Liaise with Council Members and Committee Chairs to help schedule and host the CAA annual programme of online events, issuing invitations, organising pre-event publicity, event management together with post-event analysis and feedback.
- CAA Awards Programme: Liaise with the Immediate Past President and the Chairs of Education and Practice to administer the biennial CAA Awards programme. Note that the Awards programme is run every 2 years, to coincide with the General Assembly.
- CAA General Assembly: Issue all necessary notices and invitations to host this biennial event, including notices for elections under the signature of the Honorary Secretary. Support the host organisation with preparation and delivery of the event.
- Record Keeping: Maintain an updated record of member organisations, non-member organisations, CAA partners, associated contacts, details of Council Members, Committee Members and Expert Panels, details of Schools of Architecture (especially related to validation) among other data sets, analyses, and reports.
- Finance: Liaise with the Honorary Secretary/Treasurer to issue annual subscription notices to member organisations, receiving and processing expenses payments, processing payments and invoicing, bank reconciliation, updating monthly accounts spreadsheet, assisting the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer in compiling quarterly and annual reports and accounts.
- Communications: Liaise with the Chair of Communications to help manage the CAA’s website and social media output, sourcing, and publishing information in accordance with its identity and editorial guidelines.
- Validation: Liaise with the Chair of Education & Validation to administer the CAA’s Validation System including maintaining a list of validated schools, identifying panel members, convening validation boards, arranging validation visits, providing administrative support together with support for the development and publication of the CAA Green Book and promotion of the CAA Validation System.
- CAA Initiatives and Partnerships: Provide ad-hoc support as required in support of CAA initiatives and partnerships, such as the CAA Knowledge Sharing Partnership and its relationship with UN Habitat.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Qualifications: Educated to degree level in a relevant subject.
- Skills & Experience: Previous experience in a related role is essential, together with excellent communication, writing, presentation, and project management skills. Applicants will require a high level of proficiency in MS Office. Knowledge of the built environment sector and/or the architectural profession is desirable.
- Personal attributes: Personable, presentable, self-motivated, and able to work with minimum supervision.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Working hours: Equivalent to an average of 7.5 hours per day for 2 days per week. Core hours by agreement depending on location.
FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS AND EVENTS
- Council & Committee Meetings: CAA Council Meetings and Committee Meetings are held every 2 months while working group meetings may be convened on an ad-hoc basis.
- Validation Visits to Schools of Architecture: The CAA currently validates 7 Schools of Architecture throughout the Commonwealth and is looking to grow this aspect of its work. Each school is revalidated every 5 years.
- Awards Programme: The Awards programme is run every 2 years, to coincide with the General Assembly.
- General Assembly: The General Assembly is held every 2 years and the next General Assembly is due to be held in the third quarter of 2024.
APPLICATIONS
Applicants, who must be Commonwealth citizens, are invited to submit a copy of their curriculum vitae together with a covering letter describing their relevant experience and motivation to Peter Oborn.