Governance structure
Governance structure of the Cities Programme: The relationships between different levels of governance are illustrated in the diagram above.
The Cities Programme is a global initiative with city-based activity being led locally. It is governed at global, regional and local levels.
Global level
The United Nations Global Compact and associated Cities Programme are complementary organisations that, together, offer business, government and civil society options for proactively supporting corporate social justice principles and initiatives.
The UN Global Compact
The Global Compact is a business-focused initiative that seeks to bring companies together with UN agencies, labour and civil society in support of ten core principles focusing on the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. The Global Compact recognises the growing influence of the private sector and the subsequent opportunity that exists for corporations to adopt, internalise and apply these key overarching principles in their sectors of activity for the benefit of their companies and the communities in which they operate.
International Secretariat
Paul James
is Director of the Cities Programme. He is also Director of the Global Cities Institute at RMIT University and Academic Director of the Globalism Institute at RMIT.
He is on the Council of the Institute of Postcolonial Studies and an editor of Arena Journal, as well as an editor/board-member of eight other international journals, including Globalizations and Global Governance.
He has delivered invited addresses in over twenty countries and is author or editor of nineteen books including most importantly, Nation Formation (Sage, 1996) and Globalism, Nationalism, Tribalism (Sage, 2006). His recent books include the first eight volumes of a projected sixteen-volume series mapping the field of globalization (Sage, 2006, 2007).
Paul has been an advisor to a number of agencies and governments including the Helsinki Process, the Canadian Prime Minister G20 Forum (2004), the National Economic Advisory Council of Malaysia, and the Commission on Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor. His work for the Papua New Guinea Minister for Community Development became the basis for their Integrated Community Development Policy (2007).
Carrie Hall
is a communications and public affairs advisor for the United Nations Global Compact based in New York.
Carrie joined the Global Compact in 2004. She has served as Editor of the Compact Quarterly since its launch in January 2005 and manages a broad range of communications including speeches, papers and publications. Additionally, Carrie serves as the liaison for numerous Global Compact Local Networks in Europe, as well as the Global Compact Cities Programme based in Melbourne. Prior to joining the United Nations, Carrie was a Vice President at Hill & Knowlton, an international public relations agency, where she specialized in crisis communications. She holds a Masters in Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
Elizabeth Ryan
is the Manager of the Cities Programme. Elizabeth brings experience in partnership development, relationship management, business management and communications to this position which she took up in 2011 and says working with the Innovating Cities is one of the most rewarding experiences she has ever had.
Administrative Support Team
The Administrative Support team assist the day-to-day operations of the International Secretariat. Tasks include coordinating meetings, key events, travel, website maintenance and general administrative assistance.
Advisory Council
Advisory Council members are appointed by the Executive and provide ongoing strategic advice for the Cities Programme. They are active advocates of the UNGCCP in their own spheres of influence; facilitate access to national and international networks and providing specific expertise in technical and subject matter areas.
Advisory Council members comprise senior representatives from the government, business and civil sector within local, state and international contexts. All members commit to a twelve-month term upon joining the Advisory Council. The Executive reviews membership of the Advisory Council on a yearly basis.
Regional level
In-Country City Convenor
The In-Country Convenor (based in member cities) are responsible for the effective development and implementation of projects in his/her home city. He/she is charged with the responsibility of leading the Local Secretariat and his/her tasks include the formation and management of the Local Secretariat, the International Advisor to their city, and co-ordination of project development, including achieving specific desired outcomes. The In-Country Convenor is the key project contact and is responsible for regular communications and reporting to the Cities Programme Manager.
Local level
Local Secretariat
The Local Secretariat is appointed by the In-Country City Convenor and is responsible for effective project delivery. It comprises a cross-representation of government, private and civil society (including NGO and academic) sectors, each with their individual roles and responsibilities, as specified in the Project Plan. Members of the Local Secretariat works together in collaboration with other key stakeholders within the relevant city to deliver the project outcomes and reports regularly to the In-Country Convenor.
Key Decision-making responsibilities include:
- Secure Local Government support and financial resources to engage in the Cities Programme
- Identify key stakeholders to be involved in the development and implementation
- Co-ordinate project implementation
- Regularly report to the International Secretariat
- Manage risks and opportunities as they occur in-country (change of Government, different staff)
- Ensure project is delivered within the set timeframes
Critical Reference Group
The Critical Reference Group is appointed by the Local Secretariat and responsible for advising on project design, implementation of a city project and monitoring and evaluation. It is represented by the government, private and civil sectors and convened by the In-Country Convenor. They are consulted on a regular basis to refine the approach of the project and provide strategic advice to the Local Secretariat, as required. A Critical Reference Group typically consists of 3-10 people.
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