Intern Sought for CPA Federal Office

Sunday, 18 October, 2009 4:30 PM From:
"Christian Peoples Alliance"

Assistant General Secretary of the CPA
Based at Federal Office of the Christian Peoples Alliance
St Lukes Centre, 85 Tarling Road, London E16
A volunteer intern is sought for the national office of the CPA, which is a growing Christian Democratic party based 20 minutes on the Jubilee Line from Westminster in Canning Town. The applicant will be eligible to apply for support from the Centre for Christian Democracy (CCD), as well as travel expenses from the CPA. The role will start as soon as possible and will continue until the role is reviewed after the coming General Election. It is likely to suit a recent graduate looking for experience in political administration and campaigning. Previous interns have gone on to work for political think-tanks.

Background
The Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA) is a party in the Christian Democratic tradition founded in 1999 from within the cross-denominational group, the Movement for Christian Democracy (now the CCD). It exists to contest elections and to promote the social teachings of the churches. Over the past decade, the CPA has consistently been one of the best supported 'small' parties in London. This year it fought national European elections in alliance with 'The Christian Party', winning 250,000 votes. The CPA has thousands of supporters across the country and now wants to mobilise them into local groups contesting parliamentary and council elections due in 2010.

Office responsibilities
The party is run on a day to day basis by an Executive, with key decisions taken by the President and the Leader, in consultation with other officers. The party has a General Secretary who maintains the database, administers membership renewals, banks donations and answers queries by phone and email. The Executive is appointed by the CPA Federal Council, which is elected bi-annually by the national membership.

Intern role
An energetic intern is now sought for the office to help with the administration and to serve as Assistant General Secretary. They will ensure that supporters who want to form local groups or stand for Parliament get the backing they need. The candidate will be computer literate, have an interest in Christian politics, ideally have some knowledge (or willingness to learn) about the European Christian Democratic tradition and be servant-hearted. They will learn about political organisation, policy development and electoral campaigning, as well as communications.

They will join an existing office in Newham, where the CPA has councillors. The intern will work under the supervision of the General Secretary and other members of the Executive to implement the wishes of the party. They will also have a separate 'mentor' and support from both President and Leader. The office is in one of the most deprived parts of London and there will be opportunities to campaign for a distinctive Christian alternative in both the local parliamentary and council election campaigns in 2010. The hours of work will be by agreement depending on the circumstances of the successful applicant.

To discuss the role: Email press@cpaparty.org.uk or call David Campanale, CPA President on 07873 625396 or otherwise request an application form which will be sent to you. Closing date is 16th November.