What skills does a secretary general need?

A secretary general needs 13 essential skills including project management principles, bookkeeping regulations, good governance, audit techniques, budgetary principles. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace secretary general jobs?

The AI disruption score for secretary general is 57/100 (high risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Management & LeadershipChief executives, senior officials and legislatorsISCO 1112

secretary general

Secretaries general head international governmental or nongovernmental organisations. They supervise staff, direct policy and strategy development, and function as main representative of the organisation.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

project management principlesproject management principlesDifferent elements and phases of project management.bookkeeping regulationsbookkeeping regulationsThe methods and regulations involved in the process of accurate bookkeeping.good governancegood governanceThe political and governmental processes and results that needs to be taken for the development of the society. It manifests itself when there is a correspondence between the political promises on hum...audit techniquesaudit techniquesThe techniques and methods that support a systematic and independent examination of data, policies, operations and performances using computer-assisted audit tools and techniques (CAATs) such as sprea...budgetary principlesbudgetary principlesPrinciples of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compile regular budget and reports.apply conflict managementapply conflict managementTake ownership of the handling of all complaints and disputes showing empathy and understanding to achieve resolution. Be fully aware of all Social Responsibility protocols and procedures, and be able...represent the organisationrepresent the organisationAct as representative of the institution, company or organisation to the outside world.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...coordinate government activities in foreign institutionscoordinate government activities in foreign institutionsCoordinate the activities of the home country's government in foreign institutions, such as decentralised government services, resource management, policy management, and other government activities.maintain relationships with government agenciesmaintain relationships with government agenciesEstablish and maintain cordial working relationships with peers in different governmental agencies.conduct financial auditsconduct financial auditsEvaluate and monitor the financial health, the operations and financial movements expressed in the financial statements of the company. Revise the financial records to ensure stewardship and governabi...represent national interestsrepresent national interestsRepresent the national government's and industries' interests concerning various matters such as trade, human rights, development aid, environmental issues and other aspects of the political, economic...perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...

Optional (14)

government policy implementationgovernment policy implementationThe procedures related to the application of government policies at all levels of public administration.legislation procedurelegislation procedureThe procedures involved in the making of laws and legislation, such as which organisations and individuals are involved, the process of how bills become laws, the proposal and reviewing process, and o...public financepublic financeThe economic influence of the government, and the workings of government revenue and expenditures.apply diplomatic principlesapply diplomatic principlesApply the processes involved in the creation of international treaties by conducting negotiations between representatives of different countries, protecting the home government's interests, and facili...manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.liaise with local authoritiesliaise with local authoritiesMaintain the liaison and exchange of information with regional or local authorities.build community relationsbuild community relationsEstablish affectionate and long-lasting relationships with local communities, e.g. by organising special programmes for kindergarten, schools and for disabled and older people, raising awareness and r...establish collaborative relationsestablish collaborative relationsEstablish a connection between organisations or individuals which may benefit from communicating with one another in order to facilitate an enduring positive collaborative relationship between both pa...manage administrative systemsmanage administrative systemsEnsure administrative systems, processes and databases are efficient and well managed and give the sound basis to work together with the administrative officer/staff/professional.implement strategic managementimplement strategic managementImplement a strategy for the development and transformation of the company. Strategic management involves the formulation and implementation of the major objectives and initiatives of a company by sen...develop international cooperation strategiesdevelop international cooperation strategiesDevelop plans which ensure a cooperation between international public organisations such as researching different international organisations and their goals and assessing possible alignment with othe...advise on legislative actsadvise on legislative actsAdvise officials in a legislature on the propositioning of new bills and the consideration of items of legislation.build international relationsbuild international relationsBuild positive communication dynamics with organisations from different countries in order to build a cooperative relationship and optimise information exchange.manage government policy implementationmanage government policy implementationManage the operations of the implementation of new government policies or changes in existing policies on a national or regional level as well as the staff involved in the implementation procedure.