---
name: secretary-general
description: "Occupational skill for the role 'secretary general' (also: first secretary, secretary-general, general secretary, international organisation chief officer). Use when the user asks for typical secretary general work such as: Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.; Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.; Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change."
---

# 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.

## Core workflow

1. Direct or coordinate an organization's financial or budget activities to fund operations, maximize investments, or increase efficiency.
2. Confer with board members, organization officials, or staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, or resolve problems.
3. Analyze operations to evaluate performance of a company or its staff in meeting objectives or to determine areas of potential cost reduction, program improvement, or policy change.
4. Direct, plan, or implement policies, objectives, or activities of organizations or businesses to ensure continuing operations, to maximize returns on investments, or to increase productivity.
5. Prepare budgets for approval, including those for funding or implementation of programs.
6. Direct or coordinate activities of businesses or departments concerned with production, pricing, sales, or distribution of products.
7. Negotiate or approve contracts or agreements with suppliers, distributors, federal or state agencies, or other organizational entities.
8. Review reports submitted by staff members to recommend approval or to suggest changes.

## How to use this skill

- Read `references/profile.md` for the occupation profile and scope.
- Consult `references/tasks.md` for the full task and activity inventory.
- Check `references/skills.md` for essential vs. optional competences.
- Check `references/tools.md` for the software commonly used in this role.

## Key competences (essential)

- apply conflict management
- audit techniques
- bookkeeping regulations
- budgetary principles
- conduct financial audits
- coordinate government activities in foreign institutions
- good governance
- maintain relationships with government agencies
- manage staff
- perform project management
- project management principles
- represent national interests
- represent the organisation

## Hot technologies

- Intuit QuickBooks
- Atlassian JIRA
- Microsoft Access
- Structured query language SQL
- Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Extensible markup language XML
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- SAP software

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*Sources: ESCO v1.2.1 (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/5c5b153e-4bf8-4f3d-973d-12fabf306d12), O*NET 30.3 (11-1011.00). See manifest.json for licensing/attribution.*
