The IUPsyS has issued a call for nominations for three Officer positions: Secretary‐General, Deputy Secretary‐General and Treasurer of the Union.
Position Descriptions
The Secretary‐General, Deputy Secretary‐General and Treasurer are appointed to carry out the principle administrative functions of the Union. The individuals in these positions are voting members of the Executive Committee of the Union and observer members of the General Assembly of the Union. Each of these Officers receives a small budgetary allocation to assist in carrying out their duties. The term of appointment is 4 years and is renewable. These Officers will be selected by the Executive Committee at its meeting in Berlin in July, 2008 for a term to run through the International Congress of Psychology in Cape Town, South Africa in 2012.
Because these Officer positions entail specific administrative and executive functions, it is important that nominees demonstrate the required skills, preferably in an organizational setting in an international context. It is also helpful when the individuals in these positions have access to other institutional support. The particular skill set for each position is described separately.
Secretary‐General
The duties of the Secretary‐General (described in Article 22 of the IUPsyS statutes, see www.iupsys.org/information/statuteseng.html) are to oversee and administer the day‐to‐day activities of the Union, in consultation with the President and other Officers, and to execute the policies approved by the Executive Committee and Assembly. In addition the Secretary General maintains active communication with National Members, Affiliated organizations and other national, regional and international organizations (e.g., the UN Secretariat, UNESCO, WHO, ICSU, ISSC).
Duties include
administrative oversight: (e.g., setting the agenda for Executive Committee, Assembly and Officer meetings; overseeing Union activities in the development of the Union strategic plan and budget; preparing reports on Union activities; conducting votes and collecting information for Executive Committee and Assembly meetings; event arrangement; maintaining the current Union archives); | |||||
executive oversight (e.g., serving as signatory for the Union; budgetary oversight and authorization); | |||||
representation (e.g., meetings with global bodies and other Union partners). | |||||
The Secretary‐General position typically requires a time commitment of at least one full day per week, with 3‐4 periods each year of two days per week, plus extensive travel (e. g., annual executive committee meeting; officers meetings; governance meetings; meeting with officials of global bodies). The Secretary‐General is in frequent communications with the President and officers and maintains extensive email, telephone and mail correspondence.
Deputy Secretary‐General
The duties of the Deputy Secretary‐General (described in Article 23 of the IUPsyS Statutes, see www.iupsys.org/information/statuteseng.html) are to implement Union activities in consultation with the Secretary‐General, to coordinate and implement the Union's communications with its Executive Committee, Assembly and National Members, and to represent the Union as required. Particular tasks include preparing and circulating the minutes of meetings of the Assembly and Executive Committee; circulating notes from the Officers meetings; preparing and circulating minutes of other, inter‐organizational meetings; managing the Union's website; publishing the Union's electronic newsletter; preparing documents and other materials as needed, and event arrangements. In addition the Deputy Secretary‐General assists the President and Secretary‐General in strategic planning and implementation, deputizes for the Secretary‐General when necessary, and serves in liaison functions with external organizations.
The Deputy Secretary‐General position requires a time commitment of at least one day per week. The Deputy Secretary‐General should possess demonstrated executive and administrative skills in organizing and implementing programs and activities, needs special skills in maintaining electronic information resources (web, newsletter), requires knowledge of and access to electronic communication, internet and web hosting, and needs clear English writing skills for preparing minutes and other communications.
Treasurer
The duties of the Treasurer (described in Article 24 of the IUPsyS Statutes, see www.iupsys.org/information/statuteseng.html) are to manage the Union's financial affairs under the authority of the Secretary‐General. Specific activities are to maintain the Union accounts, manage Union bank transactions, make payments on behalf of the Union in keeping with the Union's approved budget, collect and record all Union dues (from National Members) and other income (e.g., from funders), pay dues (to bodies to which the Union adheres). The Treasurer prepares and presents a budget annually to the Executive Committee and to each meeting of the Assembly, and engages and collaborates with auditors in the conduct of the annual audit.
The Treasurer position requires a time commitment of one day per week. The Treasurer needs to possess demonstrated skills and experience in financial management.
The appointed Officers of the Union function optimally as a virtual team, working in close collaboration with the President and other Officers. Patience, good humour and a sense of proportion are essential assets.
Nominations are due May 1, 2008, and must be submitted to J. Bruce Overmier, the President of the Union. Nominations materials include endorsement from an IUPsyS National Member. A nominations form and further information may be accessed at www.iupsys.org/off‐nom‐call.html.