A key priority since 2007 has been to strengthen the General Secretariat as a cohesive and effective teamwith the capacity and competence to support and deliver the global operational plan for the confederation.

Key new appointments have included a Director of Finance and Administration, Director of Policy, Humanitarian Director and FundraisingManager.

Teamspirit has been fostered through regular staffmeetings and planning workshops in which everyone participates and has the opportunity to interact with colleagues fromother teams. In addition to contributing towards operational planning, these sessions have considered wider issues such as what itmeans to work in an organisation such as Caritas Internationalis, and how Caritas values, principles and working ethos need to shape our General Secretariat.

Roles and responsibilities within the Secretariat have been realigned to encourage greater cooperation in delivering CI strategic objectives.

Management of the Secretariat has been reorganised to create a flatter structure, following the principle of subsidiarity, to ensure that decisions are taken at the appropriate level. The size of the permanent staff of the General Secretariat has gradually been reduced to 14 to increase flexibility and adaptability of the workforce. The other 12 positions are on fixed-termcontracts of between threemonths and five years.

Management positions now reflect a thematic, rather than regional focus. The Regional Desk Officer role for Africa and Asia has been redefined under the title International Liaison Officer. ILOs retain a regional focus, but now have amuch broader responsibility to contribute to CI’s work on advocacy, communications and capacity building in key priority areas such as emergency response, aid effectiveness,migration, climate change and peacebuilding.

A Secretariat Coordination Teamhas been created to provide an efficient and welcoming reception and telephone switchboard service, as well as provide logistical support to the Secretariat with postal and secretarial services, travel arrangements, hosting of meetings and other duties.

Establishment of the Emergency Rapid Response Teamhas enhanced the General Secretariat’s ability to respond quickly and efficiently to rapid onset disasters and to launch quality emergency appeals.

A Staff Handbook has been produced for the General Secretariat, including internal rules and guidelines, for both staff andmanagers.