Month: December 2012

The Sun in Constable country

A few days holiday earlier this month provided us with an opportunity to explore a corner of England that we do not know very well, namely the Essex-Suffolk border.   My ancestors between the 17th and 19th centuries lived not that far away in Coggeshall and Castle Hedingham, but we have never spent much time in this part of the country.

We chose to explore the Stour Valley and by great good fortune stayed at the Sun Inn at Dedham – what a find!  Dedham itself is a picturesque small village on the Stour, with its fine church dating from the 15th century indicating its past affluence as a wool and market town.  The village still retains a communal atmosphere, with the church having standing room only for its annual carol service, and it is the only place I know where the chemist and post office are in one and the same shop!  For those not wanting to be contacted, some parts of the village also fortunately still remain beyond the access of mobile connectivity!

The Sun is a wonderful, hidden away place to stay.  The young staff are efficienSunt and friendly, without being either intrusive or obsequious.  The rooms are each individually designed, with  pocket sprung mattress, Egyptian cotton bed linen, goose down pillows and duvets; luxury body products are sourced from Abahna.

The food is locally sourced and delicious, reflecting mainly an Italian style.  We particularly enjoyed the five course taster menu, but all of the food was well balanced, tasty, and very nicely presented. Highlights included the duck, saffron pears, pasta dishes and hake. The wine list, too, is unusually impressive both in its content and its value for money!  A particular feature is its “desert island cellared wine”, made up of wines purchased by the owners at bin end sales with just a charge of £15 added.  So, a 2001 Barolo Vigna Conca, Revello, costs just £54, the same as a 2007 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Champs-Gain, Maroslavac-Leger!

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Dedham is perhaps best known for being the place where the artist John Constable went to school.  It was a strange experience to walk in his footsteps along the valley and across the Stour up to where his home was in the nearby village of East Bergholt.  His father was a corn merchant who also owned the nearby Flatford Mill, and the local buildings and landscapes provided the inspiration for many of his famous paintings such as The Hay Wain (1821) and Dedham Vale (1802).  Walking along the river bank on a cold frosty December morning was very evocative of England past, and made a wonderful escape from the “business” and turmoil of London, less than 70 miles away!

The Sun Inn and Dedham are most definitely to be recommended by anyone wishing to discover a beautiful hidden away part of England, and enjoy English food (with a touch of Mediterranean influence!) and hospitality at its best.

Thanks to everyone at the Sun who made our stay so enjoyable and relaxing!

Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation – vacancy for Head of Operations Department

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) is seeking to appoint a new Head of its Operations Department, managing the delivery of its three operations divisions (research and consultancy, capacity development and training, and events and conferences).  This exciting opportunity would suit applicants from diverse backgrounds, including the private sector and the international development community.  The appointment will be at Director level with a starting salary in the range £60,000-£66,150. Closing Date 15th February 2013.

The successful applicant will

  • Manage the CTO’s Operations Department, consisting of three divisions, with heads of these divisions being direct reports:
    • Research and Consultancy
    • Capacity Development and Training
    • Events and Conferences
  • Develop the Operations Department’s activities in line with the CTO’s Strategic Plan, so as to deliver effective, value for money services for the CTO’s members and others
  • Ensure that the Operations Department delivers on its financial targets
  • Contribute to the activities of the Operations Department in areas of own expertise.
  • Be responsible for oversight and development of one or two of the CTO’s six niche focus areas
  • Be responsible for oversight and development of the CTO’s activities in one or two regions of the Commonwealth.
  • Provide support and report directly to the Secretary General of the CTO
  • Liaise closely with the Head of the Finance and Administration Department and the Head of Corporate Services to ensure effective collaboration between Departments in delivering the CTO’s mission.

The successful applicant will have the following proven experiences and characteristics:

Essential

  • Excellent timely delivery against business targets
  • At least ten years of management experience within the broad field of ICTs, preferably with a development focus
  • Successful management of small teams charged with delivering ambitious financial targets
  • Strong sense of the need for accuracy and precision in delivery
  • Ability to set high individual and team standards
  • At least ten years direct experience of two or more of the areas of activity of the CTO’s operational divisions
  • An excellent team player, committed to helping staff build their careers within an organisation
  • Excellent international networking skills across different groups of stakeholders in ICT for Development

Desirable

  • Strong affinity with delivering ICT based activities through multi-stakeholder partnerships
  • Good knowledge of Commonwealth organisations and agendas
  • Experience of working in a multi-cultural environment and preferably in two or more regions of the Commonwealth (Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Pacific)
  • Fluency in the English language, as well as working knowledge of at least one other language.

Application procedure

The CTO is committed to providing a challenging and stimulating workplace, where all staff can fulfil their career ambitions in a diverse and supportive environment. It places considerable emphasis on the importance of teamwork, alongside its commitment to delivering the best possible value for money services to all of its members. People work for the CTO primarily because they believe in its commitment to using ICTs to help make a difference to the lives of some of the poorest and most marginalised people in the Commonwealth.  All employees must be citizens of Full Member Countries of the CTO at the time of employment.

All applications, including a curriculum vitae and a letter of application should be submitted to recruitment@cto.int by 15th February 2013.

Full details are available at http://www.cto.int/about-the-cto/working-with-us/current-vacancies/director-and-head-of-operations-department-full-time/